The St Paul Cathedral has been the focus of several restorative efforts lately. With the renovation and restoration of the Cathedral Museum completed earlier this year, it was now the turn of the Cathedral’s apse painting to receive some much needed TLC.

In a venture co-financed by the EU Regional Development fund 2014-2020, Mattia Preti's St Paul’s Shipwreck, which dates back to 1689, underwent a lengthy restoration and conservation treatment and was inaugurated yesterday by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi.

Mattia Preti had painted directly on the walls of the old church, which suffered serious structural damage during the 1693 earthquake. The image was exposed to further damages along the years, with several interventions being made to protect the prized painting. When asked about the restoration works, which totalled at a whopping €70,000, Administrative Secretary to the Archidiocese of Malta, Michael Pace Ross said that the work carried out will not only protect our cultural heritage for future generations but will also benefit those who visit the country.

Pretty darn cool if you ask me!