Background

The Chapel of St Joseph in Manikata was established through a deed signed on 8 May 1919, when brothers Ġamri and Salvu Camilleri donated land for the construction of a chapel, sacristy, and priest’s house to serve the local farming community.

Built as a place of worship and gathering, the chapel represents an important part of the village’s early twentieth-century architectural heritage.

Assessing the Chapel’s Condition

A detailed survey of the chapel was carried out using photographic documentation, precise measurements, and 3D laser scanning to understand the extent and causes of the damage.

While the exterior remained largely stable, the interior had suffered significant deterioration due to long-term water infiltration from the roof. The moisture damaged the historic lime finishes and revealed deeper structural issues.

The main concern was the stability of the stone barrel vaults. Over time, the lack of adequate lateral support caused the side walls to gradually move outward, creating cracks and instability within the roof structure. Without intervention, this movement would have continued and threatened the long-term survival of the chapel.

The Restoration Approach

The restoration combined traditional conservation methods with carefully designed structural improvements.

The works included:

• Gentle cleaning of the Globigerina limestone to preserve its historic appearance

• Replacement of severely damaged stones only where necessary

• Repair of architectural details using compatible lime-based mortars

• Reconstruction of missing decorative elements based on surviving originals

• Restoration of the traditional lime-based roof covering and repair of damaged areas

• Reconstruction of the historic bell-cote using new limestone blocks following the original design

Structural Consolidation

The key challenge was stabilising the vaulted roof structure.

To prevent further movement of the walls, ten discreet steel tie rods were installed across the chapel, following the line of the supporting arches. These elements provide the structural restraint that was missing in the original construction, reducing the outward pressure created by the vaults.

Specially designed external plates distribute the forces safely through the masonry, allowing the intervention to remain minimal while ensuring long-term stability.

Outcome

The restoration of St Joseph Chapel successfully combines architectural conservation with targeted structural engineering.

By addressing the underlying cause of the structural movement rather than only repairing visible damage, the project has secured the chapel’s future while preserving its historic character, materials, and craftsmanship for future generations.