Photo: Planning Authority 

A conservation project is being carried out by the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage within the University of Malta. The conservation project linked with the unique wall paintings that illustrate the 1565 Great Siege battle at the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta will soon be completed.

This project is in collaboration with Heritage Malta, under the auspices of the Office of the President of Malta costing around €300,000. The Planning Authority (PA) donated €70,000 towards the project, the donation was made to the Research, Innovation & Development Trust (RIDT) of the University of Malta. 

Set in the Grand Council Chamber of the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta, the wall paintings cycle offers a unique – and historically accurate – depiction of the Siege, when the far outnumbered Maltese, led by the Knights Hospitaller, successfully defended the island from attempted invasion by the Ottoman Empire. 

Great Siege veteran Grand Master Fra Jean de Cassiere (1572-1581) invited artist Matteo Perez d’Aleccio (1547-1628) to Malta in 1577 to depict the four-month siege. Using eyewitness accounts and written reports, d’Aleccio created a narrative sequence of the Siege across a series of 12 scenes, recording in exquisite and true detail a defining episode in Malta’s history. 

The Rector of the University of Malta, Prof Alfred Vella said “Apart from the traditional roles of teaching and research, a modern university is expected to understand the requirements of its community and to actively participate in the strengthening of society.” He added that “this monumental painting belongs to our society and is part of our identity as a nation. The University of Malta, through its Department of Conservation and Built Heritage took on this conservation as part of its mission, and we are indebted to organisations such as the Planning Authority and others, who provided the financial backup for such undertaking.” 

Mr Oliver Magro, Executive Chairperson at the Planning Authority said “The restoration of these magnificent wall paintings will ensure that this national treasure will be enjoyed by future generations. We commend the sterling work being carried out by the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage at the University of Malta, led by Prof JoAnn Cassar and her team.” 

The Minister for Public Works and Planning, Hon. Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi showed his satisfaction with the substantial contribution made by the Planning Authority while he thanked the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage for the management and supervision of this project. 

For more information visit the RIDT website.