Ta' Pinu Church, Gozo

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The National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta'Pinu is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and national shrine located some 700 metres from the village of Gharb.It is located on the edge of a cliff in open countryside which allows visitors to enjoy beautiful views of the area.
The origins of the shrine are unknown,it was first recorede in the archives of the Curia in Gozo,when the Bishop Domenico Cubelles paid a visit to the chapel.this noted that the chapel had been rebuilt and that it belonged to the noble family of the 'Gentile'.In 1575 the apostolic 'Pietro Duzina' was delegated by 'Pope Gregory XII' to visit the Maltese islands.He ordered the church which was in a bad state to be demolished but due to an omen in which a builder broke his arm whilst working here it was to remain and became the church you see today.

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Beautyful ornaments at the basilica. I think we would have missed this, if we would have been here by car. We usually think that chuches are nicer outside than inside. Expesially at Catholic countries, where churches are usually much too decorative with too much colors and gold to us, who are used to Lutheran churches.
But this one was beautyful inside, and not too fancy. I loved those ornaments carved to white stone without any coloring!
I´m actuall a metal- and stonesmith even if I don´t do that as my work, but those carvings were interesting to me also because of my art studies.
And see also the stained glass at windows!

Ta' Pinu basilica is a national shrine and a center of pilgrimages.

On the spot of this big church there was a chapel in the 16th century.

It is said that on june 22 1883, a peasant woman heard the voice of the Madonna in this place. They say that numerous miracles happened later on. Consequently, between 1920 and 1931 this church was built.

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Many miracles have been said to occur from those who have prayed at this church. As a result, it is one of the most visited sites on the island. Particulary by the Maltese.

The church dates back to 1920 however there has been a chapel on the site as far back as 1534. By the late 19th century the chapel had fallen into disrepair but on June 22, 1883 a woman named Carmela Grima claimed to have heard a voice while praying she recounted this story to her friend Francesco Portelli. Francesco then also claimed to have heard voices while praying. Francesco's mother fell ill an 1886. As was the custom he vowed to light a lamp in the church should his mother recover. His mother did recover and it was considered a miracle. Francesco's and Camela's story was then recounted to church authorities.

The word of a miracle occuring at the chapel spread far and wide. As a result thousands of people come to the church to pray every year for a miracle healing of a loved one. There is a small room just off the main nave that is dedicated to items sent in by those who have been cured.

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The church is very impressive, standing as it does in open countryside, which makes it very visible. A medieval chapel used to stand on the site and it was the "fact" that the voice of Christ called a peasant girl to pray there that caused it to become a scene of pilgrimage. The current day basilica was built from 1920 to accommodate the pilgrims, but the original chapel survives intact inside the basilica!

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Though impressive in its exterior, the interior is rather simple (no paintings or other decorations). The Basilica is famed as being miraculous. What is very interesting to see are the gifts and photos (see aditional pics) from several people around the globe that have experienced miracles in their lives after praying to Our Lady of Ta Pinu. It is also interesting to read their stories.

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Ta Pinu church is one of the most visited sites on Gozo, not only for Maltese but with foreigners as well as its fame exceeds the borders of Malta.

The Basilica dominates the landscape since there are no buildings close to it on your way to Dewjra so it is most unlikely not to capture your interest. Basilica exterior is impressive and if you see it for afar under the evening light its colors are more dramatic

The church itself dates back to 1920 on the grounds of a chapel which dates back to the sixteenth century devoted to Our Lady of the Assumption. The name of the Basilica has its roots in the name of a very religious man (Pinu for short) who took it upon himself to take care of the chapel and ordered the painting of Our Lady Ta' Pinu, representing the Assumption of The Blessed Virgin to Heaven. The initial chapel received much attention when at 1883, a middle-aged woman named Carmela Grima underwent a spiritual experience while walking by the deserted chapel at the time. The word quickly spread around and many things were attributed to the miraculous nature of Our Lady of Assumption

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Up to the Ghammar Hill which faces Ta' Pinu are placed 14 remarkable marble statues representing the Via Crucis or Way of the Cross.

Climbing to the top of the hill is a real try for all the pilgrims considering Gozo's burning sun, but it is also rewarding.

Half away to the top it is the house of Agatha Barbara, former president Malta.

For more details visit my Gharb and Ta' Pinu Sanctuary page.

Me and Emmeline came to this Church but a very nice Maltese gentleman refused us entry because we had shorts on, I said but they arn't short shorts and he explained men must have trousers on. I was a little perplexed and said but she is a girl so he let Emmeline in but not me.
He then told me the story of why the church was built in the middle of noplace he told me a Maltese lady had heared voices.
She was lucky to be Maltese they built a church and remembered her ever since, if she had been English she'd have been locked up in the nuthatch for her own good.
Anyway it looked beautiful from the door.

A place of pilgrimage since 1883. The current neo-Romanesque church dates from the 1920's. Perhaps the most beautiful of the many Gozitan churches (also because of it's detached location).

NB: Dress code is strict. Long trousers, long skirts, covered shoulders.