MCAST Restores St. John’s Co-Cathedral Wind Vane After Storm Harry Damage
Have you ever walked past St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta and admired the intricate wind vane perched atop its grand facade? If you have, you might have noticed it’s been missing in action since Storm Harry swept through Malta last year. But fear not, history buffs and architecture enthusiasts, for the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) has stepped in to restore this iconic piece of Maltese history.
Storm Damage and the Call for Restoration
Storm Harry, with its gusts reaching up to 100km/h, left a trail of destruction across Malta in January 2021. Among the casualties was the wind vane of St. John’s Co-Cathedral, a symbol of the Baroque masterpiece designed by Gerolamo Cassar. The vane, which had been guiding sailors and locals alike for centuries, was found damaged and lying on the cathedral’s roof after the storm.
The damage sparked outrage among Maltese heritage enthusiasts and calls for its immediate restoration. The issue was taken up by Heritage Malta, who, in collaboration with the cathedral’s administration, commissioned MCAST to undertake the restoration project.
MCAST’s Restoration Masterclass
MCAST’s Institute of Creative Arts stepped up to the challenge, treating the restoration as a learning opportunity for their students. Under the guidance of experienced lecturers, students got hands-on experience in restoring a piece of Maltese history. The project was led by lecturer Dr. Mario Gauci, who emphasized the importance of such projects for students’ professional development.
“This is not just about restoring a wind vane,” Dr. Gauci explained. “It’s about passing on skills and knowledge to the next generation of conservators. It’s about preserving our heritage for future generations.”
From Damage to Restoration: The Process
The restoration process involved several stages. First, the damaged vane was carefully removed from the cathedral’s roof. It was then transported to MCAST’s workshops in Paola, where students began the painstaking task of cleaning and conserving the centuries-old artifact.
The vane was found to be made of cast iron, which had rusted over time. Students used specialized cleaning techniques to remove the rust without damaging the original material. They also replaced some missing parts, using traditional casting methods to ensure authenticity.
Once the cleaning and conservation were complete, the vane was given a new coat of paint, matching the original colors as closely as possible. The final step was to reinstall the wind vane back onto its rightful place atop St. John’s Co-Cathedral, ready to face whatever weather Malta’s Mediterranean climate might throw at it.
Dr. Gauci expressed his satisfaction with the students’ work, “They’ve done an exceptional job. This project has not only restored a piece of Maltese history but also equipped our students with valuable skills and experience.”
