GozoNews.Com

The restoration of the Citadel clock bells in Victoria has been completed recently. The work was entrusted by the Ministry for Gozo to campanologist Kenneth Cauchi who has specialised in similar restoration work on other prestigious bells such as the oldest bell in the islands which is found at the Mdina Cathedral.

The restoration work was undertaken in Mr. Cauchi’s laboratory and mainly included the removal of various coats of paint which had been applied during previous renovation interventions. The bronze exterior has now been protected by various layers of corrosion inhibitor chemicals to stabilize the bronze surface which was badly deteriorated in particular places.

The hour strike bell, cast in 1819 by the Leotta brothers, was the worst faring; rust staining of the bronze surface was much more than anticipated and was the main cause for the delay in the execution of the restoration works. Other conservation treatment problems met were mainly of a corrosion nature being the blistering of the bronze surface due to chloride and sulphate corrosion elements normally typical of bronze deterioration in a polluted maritime environment. Ironically, the much older quarter-strike bell, cast in the beginning of the eighteenth century by the Menville brothers, was in a much better conservation condition, although it had other problems. Being older, the bell has been used much more than its turret partner and as a consequence the soundbow of the bell was entirely riddled with indents caused by the clock’s wrought iron drop mallets signifying that the bell was turned several times during its term of service.

During the restoration work the founders’ marks were found on the bell’s mullygroove indicating the confirmation of the Ferreria’s official pesatore confirming the weight of the bell, in the typical inscription font of the time. The restoration work on these bells was also extended onto the ferrous structure that supported them on the turret roof. These structures have been modified to suit the bells’ future needs, hence facilitating the modification of their hanging position to minimize the mallets’ indents on the soundbows of both bells.

The original mallets have been renovated and substitutions of some minor details have been executed in the most faithful way possible to the original deteriorated parts. This work has been entirely documented in order to protect the clock’s historic authenticity. These bells will soon be back in place to strike off the time once again over the Gozitan Capital of Victoria.

The Old Victoria Hospital bell has also been restored and has been confirmed to be also the work of the Menville brothers however it is thought to be an earlier casting then the aforementioned quarter-strike clock bell. The founders’ mark confirming the pesatore’s conclusions have also been found on this bell which, combined with the armorial shield of the Order of St. John, the bell’s profile and moulding wires spanning its waist, leave little doubt as to the identity of the founders of this bell, since in this respect, the Menville brothers were almost always consistent in inscribing the weights on all the smaller bells they cast.