Archives: Waypoints

Introduction An interesting feature in this church with an otherwise demure appearance is that it has what appear to be two stone ‘kneelers’ in front of each of the windows flanking the main door. Originally, the chapel of this site was dedicated to our Lady of Victories. It was originally built in 1658. The Church…

Introduction The church of San Niklaw, in the confines of Ħal Niklusi and Ħal Kbir is mentioned in the 17th century book of Fra Giovann Francesco Abela, “Malta Illustrata (Descrizione di Malta, Isola del Mare Siciliano e Adriatico)” written during the reign of Grandmaster De Rohan. The book mentions San Niklaw and Hal Niklusi specifically…

Introduction During the visit of Bishop Dusina in 1575 in Hal Kbir (now part of Siġġiewi), he found a church dedicated to Our Lady in flight to Egypt (L-Madonna tal-Harba). Other churches and a catacomb found in the area indicate that it had been inhabited for centuries. Later churches in the area were dedicated to…

Introduction The old parish church in Siġġiewi pre-dates the arrival of the knights of St. John. It was built in the 15th century and enlarged in the subsequent two centuries before being replaced by the Lorenzo Gafa/Nikol Żammit masterpiece. The old parish church is mentioned in the report of the pastoral visit of Bishop Pietro…

Introduction The parish of Siġġiewi consisted of a number of hamlets including Ħal Kbir, Ħax Xluq, Ħal Qdieri and Ħal Tabuni. Like Zebbug it is mentioned in the Rollo of the Bishop Senatore De Mello of 1436. The parish priest of Siġġiewi was then Presbiter Henricus de Callus. The original parish church is situated further…

Introduction Bishop Pietro Dusina, who visited Malta in 1575 mentions in his report having visited a church in Wied Qirda dedicated to the Visitation of Our Lady. In 1675 Fr Bartolomeo Magro rebuilt the church and this date is carved on the façade of the church. In the 17th and 18th centuries it was a…

Introduction Before the church dedicated to Our Lady of the Light, there was an older church dedicated to the Visitation by Mary to Elisabeth. The earlier church was closed by Bishop Balaguer after it fell into disrepair. A church was rebuilt on the same site by Fr Ġlormu Azzopardi and Fr Horatio Xiberras. The architect…

Introduction Land belonging to Filippo de Catania lay between the hamlets of Ħal Dwin, Ħal Mula and Ħal Muxi. In 1380, De Catania donated this land for the construction of a church and the first church on this site, dedicated to St Philip of Agira, was founded in 1412. It is included in the register…

Introduction The church of the Annunciation in Żebbuġ probably existed at the time of the first Universal Peace Walk in 1543 AD because it is mentioned (albeit as being in a bad state of repair) during the visit of Bishop Pietro Dusina in 1575. During the visit of Bishop Dusina there were no less than…

Introduction The church of St. James is attached to a benefice belonging to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mdina. The original church of St. James, within limits of Żebbuġ, dates back to 1430 (i.e. before the Rollo of Bishop Senatore de Mello of 1436). However it fell into disrepair and was rebuilt during 1674. The Church…