The Eden Leisure Foundation has announced a new cultural heritage initiative: the full restoration of the iconic 1846 Statue of Saint Agatha, housed in the Collegiate Church of the Immaculate Conception in Cospicua. The project forms part of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding Malta’s artistic and historical legacy.
Created by noted Maltese sculptor Pietro Paolo Azzopardi and based on a design by prominent painter Giuseppe Hyzler, the wooden statue depicts Saint Agatha holding a martyr’s palm and a symbolic plate representing her suffering. The artwork has long been admired for its craftsmanship and spiritual significance, but over nearly two centuries, it has sustained visible damage, including structural cracks, surface wear, and loss of fine detail, making specialist restoration essential.
The conservation process will be carried out by Atelier del Restauro Ltd.The conservation process will be carried out by Atelier del Restauro Ltd, whose team of professional restorers will undertake a meticulous programme of cleaning, structural stabilisation and detail recovery. The goal is to preserve the statue’s original artistic integrity while ensuring its long-term protection for future generations.
Saint Agatha holds a special place in Malta’s history and identity. Recognised as one of the island’s patron saints, she is widely regarded as a symbol of protection and faith. Her legacy is closely linked to the 1551 Turkish siege, during which her intercession was believed to have helped save Mdina. Beyond Malta, she is also the patron saint of breast cancer patients, nurses, firemen, bell-founders and those who have suffered persecution, further strengthening her significance across communities.
Speaking about the initiative, Kate De Cesare, Chairman of the Eden Leisure Foundation, highlighted the project’s personal importance: “This restoration carries a deeply personal meaning for us. The church where the statue resides was often visited by my grandmother, Cettina de Cesare, in whose memory the Eden Leisure Foundation was established. The renewed statue will be dedicated to her. Through this project, we aim to ensure that important works of art remain accessible, meaningful, and safeguarded for generations to come.”
The Eden Leisure Foundation continues its commitment to preserving Malta’s cultural identity and supporting heritage initiatives that connect communities with their history.