Churches, Valletta

My two first impressions of La Valletta, seen from across the harbor in Sliema, were the protective walls that surround it completely and the large dome belonging Carmelite church that dominates the skyline. Imagine my displeasure when I found out that the dome did not belong to any significant building, especially the cathedral.

This church was built in 1573, then it was heavily damaged in World War II and rebuilt. This time it was also enlarged and the dome was added: and guess what? It is just a bit higher than the nearby of St Paul's Anglican Cathedra’s spire

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Our Lady of Victory is a special church because it was the first one to be built in la Valletta. The place where it stands is very symbolic: it’s where the first stone of the new city was set on 28 March 1566, after having defeated the Turks during the 'Great Siege' of 1565. The Grand Master Jean Parisot de Vallette was originally buried in this church before being moved to St John's Co-Cathedral.

Initially, however, it was not a church but a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Victory, it was only in the 18th century that the building was enlarged, a belfry added, and it became a church.

Built between 1639 and 1740 this lovely Baroque church is hidden away on Triq San Pawl. In the depths of the church is claimed to be the wristbone of St Paul & part of the pillar on which he was beheaded.

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St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral, was the first Protestant church built in Malta. The building was conceived in 1838 by Queen Adelaide (Dowager Queen of King William IV) who at the time was convalescing in Malta due to a serious illness and could not belive that there was no place of Anglican worship on the island. Queen Adelaide contributed the sum of £10,000 towards the building, and the first stone was laid in March 1839.

The site of the church was formerly occupied by the Auberge of Germany which was dimolished to make room for the Cathedral. The plans were drawn by a British architect, who also supervised the works during the construction some structural defects started to develop and the architect committed suicide. The works stopped for some time resuming in 1842 then under the direction of Frank Scamp who was another British engineer that happened to be in Malta engaged on the construction of the first drydock.

The Cathedral was completed in 1844 at a total cost of 20,000 pounds and was consecrated in the same year by the Bishop of Gibraltar and it falls under the jurisdiction of the Anglican See of Gibraltar.
A congregation of upto 1,500 persons can be accommodated inside the church

The main attraction of the Cathedral is its fine classical portico made up of eight ionic columns and the Gothic spire which is 60 metres high and one of the landmarks of Valletta.

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Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church was originaly dedicated to Our Lady of the Annunciation was the first functional church in Valletta and first opened it's doors in 1570 soon after the Carmolite Friars were granted a piece of land by Grand Master Pietro del Monte, The church was designed by Gerolamo Cassar (c1550-92) but underwent many susequent modifications and additions, The Facade was rebuilt in 1852 to the design Giuseppe Bonavia.

The Church suffered extensive damage durind World War II and it was decided to Rebuild the church, The 'new church' was constructed between 1958 and 1981 and is by far the most prominate building of Valletta's skyline with 12 Corinthian columns of a rusty red marble that support the huge Dome.

The main attraction of the church is the early seventeenth century painting of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This was the first painting on Malta to be 'crowned' by the Vatican in 1981

Sculptor Chevalier Joseph Damato has sculpted all the interior of the church and work has been ongoing for over 19 years

This small church was the first the knights built in their new city to commemorate their victory in the Great Siege of 1565. De La Valette laid the foundation stone and was initially buried here before being interred in St. John's Co Cathedral.

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This church was designed by Cassar for the Italian knights and abutting their auberge. The facade and porch were added in 1713 and the octagonal church is still used today by the Italian community. The main altarpiece is of the Martyrdom of St. Catherine.

Our Lady Of Victory Church is said to be the oldest church in Valletta and was rebuilt in its Baroque architectural style in the mid/ 18th century . It was dedicated to the Virgin Mother as a child ' Il-Bambina". The feast is celebrated on the 8th of September, the same date of the Knights's victory from the Great Seige in 1565.