17th century historic pulpit restored to former glory

The carved wooden pulpit at the Parish Church of St Catherine of Alexandria in Żurrieq, dating back to 1669, and recognised as the second oldest pulpit in Malta after that of the Co-Cathedral of St John in Valletta, has been restored to its original splendour thanks to the support of the Bank of Valletta Foundation. The Bank’s support for this project reflects its ongoing commitment towards cultural sustainability and the protection of Malta’s heritage.

The restored pulpit was presented during an unveiling ceremony presided by the Parish Priest Fr Daniel Cardona, the Bank’s Chief Operations Officer Ernest Agius and Valentina Lupo, conservator and founder of Atelier del Restauro.

Carved from walnut, the pulpit is one of the finest examples of ecclesiastical woodwork of its time, combining artistic mastery and religious iconography. Over the centuries the structure suffered from wear, insect infestation and paint accretions that obscured its details. The meticulous intervention involved structural consolidation, particularly in areas weakened by past damage. Layers of dirt, old coatings and non-original varnishes were carefully removed, revealing the intricacy of the carvings and decorative panels. Missing elements were hand-carved in matching walnut to replace lost detail, while ornate reliefs, including depictions of St Catherine, St Barbara, St Agnes, St Lucy, St Agatha and St Margaret, were cleaned and retouched. The associated papier-mâché Crucifix was also conserved to uncover the original finish.

Chief Operations Officer Ernest Agius, on behalf of the BOV Foundation remarked, “At Bank of Valletta, we believe that preserving Malta’s cultural and artistic heritage is part of our responsibility towards the local community. By supporting this project, we helped safeguard a remarkable work of art that forms part of our collective identity as a nation. We are proud to see the pulpit restored, knowing that it can now be appreciated by future generations.”

Speaking about the project, Valentina Lupo explained, “This pulpit is a rare example of 17th-century Maltese craftsmanship, and working on it has been both a privilege and a responsibility. Our aim was to stabilise and revive the pulpit while respecting its historic integrity. Every intervention was carried out with care, respecting the pulpit’s history and allowing its beauty to shine through once again.”

Fr Daniel Cardona commented that “The Church treasures these works not only as artistic masterpieces but also as instruments of faith and devotion. This restoration allows the pulpit to continue serving its spiritual and cultural role within the Żurrieq parish, and we are grateful to Bank of Valletta for making this possible and to Atelier del Restauro for the conservation works.”