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6 COMMERCIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 JUNE 2026 The Grand Master's Palace tapestries back home following restoration in Belgium THE magnificent tapestries of the Grand Master's Palace are back in their usual place within the Pal- ace, following a conservation pro- ject in Belgium that took almost two years to complete. Their res- toration formed part of the exten- sive conservation project current- ly being implemented by Heritage Malta at the Palace. The inauguration of the re- stored tapestries was held under the patronage of Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta, and in the presence of the Minister for Arts, Culture and National Heritage, Dr Malcolm Paul Agius Galea. The Grand Master's Palace tap- estries were part of the gioia of the Spanish Grand Master Ramon Perellos, who assumed office in February 1697. The gioia was a gift presented to the Order of St John by every newly appointed Grand Master on the occasion of his election. The tapestries were commis- sioned in 1708 from the Gobelins manufactory in Paris and arrived in Malta two years later. They were woven from a series of de- signs, known as cartoons, entitled Tenture des Indes, depicting ex- otic scenes inspired by lands that had only recently been discovered at the time. The significance of the Grand Master's Palace tapestries lies not only in their richly coloured and intricate craftsmanship. They are also remarkable because this is the only complete surviving set woven from the original cartoons, and because they have remained dis- played for more than 300 years in the hall they were made for. The restoration works were en- trusted to the De Wit Royal Manu- facturers of Belgium, internation- ally renowned for their expertise in this field. The tapestries arrived at their workshops in June 2024 and returned to Malta last April. During their time in Belgium, two Heritage Malta delegations visited the De Wit laboratories in 2024 and 2025 to discuss the ongoing restoration works. The last time the entire set of tapestries under- went restoration was in 1910, at the Gobelins manufactory itself. In consultation with the De Wit experts, Heritage Malta employ- ees have changed the hanging sys- tem so that the tapestries can now be taken down without the need for ladders or scaffolding, and with less risks for the tapestries. While the tapestries were in Bel- gium, Heritage Malta also took the opportunity to restore the Tapes- try Chamber itself. This project included, among other works, the restoration of the ceiling both in- ternally and externally; the resto- ration of the decorated soffit; the restoration of the walls, apertures and marble floor; the installation and upgrading of service; and the restoration of the canvas paintings that surround the chamber along the upper part of the walls. In her address during the inau- guration of the restored tapestries, which she described as a unique historical and artistic treasure, the President of Malta said that this occasion should further raise awareness of the importance of conserving our cultural heritage. The president stated that cul- tural heritage should serve as a source of education, inspiration, and unity, while continuing to act as a bridge between generations and as a means of encouraging more people, especially youths, to appreciate the historical and artis- tic wealth of our country. The President of Malta acknowl- edged the work undertaken to en- sure that these precious works can continue to be enjoyed by present and future generations. She ex- pressed her appreciation to Her- itage Malta, its leadership, all the experts involved, and the conser- vators for their commitment and professionalism. The Minister for Arts, Culture and National Heritage remarked that, "This investment is a direct reflection of our belief in culture as a fundamental pillar of national development. Because we know that a nation that cherishes its past is a nation that looks towards the future with confidence. Today, as these tapestries once again take their place in this historic hall, we are sending a clear message: Malta remains committed to protecting, conserving, and promoting its heritage with the highest sense of responsibility," said the Minister. Heritage Malta's Chairman, Mario Cutajar, declared that the tapestries have come back to life as though they have only just been created. Behind every conserva- tion project, he remarked, lies a profound respect for the past. He explained that these tapestries were originally brought to Malta to adorn the hall in which the Or- der of St John took its decisions. Over time, they also witnessed Malta's constitutional journey, from the earliest and limited forms of Maltese representation to the moment when the Maltese people began to take their destiny into their own hands. "When we visit these tapestries, we should listen to the stories they can tell us about what took place in that hall. Everything we have today began yesterday. If we understand that, we understand the present better. And perhaps we will be able to see tomorrow more clearly," said Cutajar. Heritage Malta's Chief Executive Officer, Noel Zammit, said that the restoration of the tapestries once again demonstrates that Heritage Malta is worthy of the trust to pass on Malta's heritage to future generations in a better condition than it was received. He noted that two of Heritage Malta's overarching objectives are to fos- ter a strong emotional connection between the country's heritage and the local community, and to raise its international profile by inspiring foreign audiences. The Grand Master's Palace tapestries are an excellent means of achiev- ing both goals. Firstly, because the tapestries inspire in the Maltese people a sense of pride and be- longing – a feeling that our her- itage is part of us and that we are part of it. Secondly, because the tapestries are not only a national treasure but also part of a broad- er global narrative, Noel Zammit said. Following the inauguration of the restored tapestries, Her Excel- lency the President of Malta was presented with a copy of Heritage Malta's new publication about the tapestries, entitled The Gobelins Tapestries in the Council Cham- ber, authored by Emmanuel Ma- gro Conti. The book is available for pur- chase from Heritage Malta's mu- seums and sites, as well as online through The Gobelins Tapestries in the Council Chamber - Herit- age Malta. Meanwhile, to mark the com- pletion of the restoration of both the tapestries and the Tapestry Chamber at the Grand Master's Palace, Heritage Malta has pro- duced an extensive documentary tracing the journey of the tapes- tries from their creation to the present day. The documentary will be broadcast on TVM+ on Friday, 3rd July, at 6:15pm.