The Sarria Church’s collection of Mattia Preti paintings has been restored thanks to a collaboration between cultural NGO Din l-Art Helwa and the Rector of the church’s Jesuit Community.  

This spot holds a very special place in Malta’s history…  

The Sarria Church dates back to 1585, when Malta was ruled over by the Order of St John. It is said that a knight from Navarra, Martino de Sarria, took it upon himself to build the small chapel, which was aptly named ‘Cappella Sarria’. 

The chapel was rebuilt in 1680, after the pestilence – a plague that hit the islands – took the lives of approximately 11,300 citizens. The Order of St John rebuilt the chapel to give thanks following the eradication of the plague. A bigger church based on Mattia Preti’s designs took replaced the chapel.  

The seven Mattia Preti paintings inside the church were commissioned by Grand Master Nicolas Cottoner. Amongst other scenes the paintings depict The Immaculate Conception, St Sebastian, St Roque, St Rosalia, and St Nicholas of Bari. 

The unveiling of the completed restoration will be held at the Sarria Church on Wednesday 2nd February at 6 p.m.  

The 12-year project will be presented by Conservator Dr Giuseppe Mantella, Conservator and Art historian Prof Sante Guido, and Dr Sebastiano D’Amico, Head of the Department of Geosciences at the University of Malta.