Churches

St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral

Dominating the skyline of Valletta from the Marsamxett Harbour side is the spire of the Anglican Cathedral, dedicated to St Paul. Through the generosity of Dowager Queen Adelaide, the church started to be built in 1839. The architect chosen was Richard Lankesheer, but soon afterwards his work was showing structural defects. He was replaced with William Scamp, who carried out various alterations and completed the work of the Anglican Cathedral. The Cathedral has got a neo-classical façade with Ionic columns. The Cathedral was inaugurated in 1844, although the bell tower was completed some years later. William Scamp was honoured by Queen Adelaide for his work in seeing the completion of the Anglican Cathedral in Valletta.

Il-Katidral Anglikan ta’ San Pawl

Jiddomina l-orizzont tal-belt Valletta min-naħa tal-Port ta’ Marsamxett hemm il-kampnar tal-Katidral Anglikan iddedikat lil San Pawl. Kien minħabba il-ġenerożità tar-Reġina Adelaide li ingħata bidu għal bini ta’ din il-knisja fis-sena 1839. Il-perit magħżul kien Richard Lankesheer, iżda ftit wara il-bini beda juri difetti strutturali. Dan il-perit kien mibdul u minfloku jintagħżel William Scamp. Dan mill-ewwel għamel diversi tibdil u kompla ix-xoghol tal-bini ta’ dan il-Katidral Anglikan. Il-faċċata hija mibnija fuq stil neo-Klassiku b’kolonni fl-istil Joniku. Il-katidral kien inawgurat fl-1844, għalkemm il-kampnar tlesta xi snin wara. William Scamp kien onorat mir-Regina Adelaide għax-xoghol li kien għamel lesta il-Katidral Anglikan fil-Belt Valletta.​

The first church dedicated to the Shipwreck of St Paul was built on another site in Valletta. With the arrival and establishment of the Jesuit Order in Malta, towards the end of the 16^th century the church was handed over to the Jesuit Order and a new church was built in the location where we find the present church. In 1639 it was decided that a larger church should be built designed by the Maltese architect Bartolomeo Garagona. The dome was the work of Lorenzo Gafà`, while the present façade was added in the 19^th century and it was designed by Nicola Zammit. The interior of the church is richly decorated with works by Matteo Perez d’Aleccio, Antoine Favray and Attilio Palombi. The titular statue of St Paul is considered as one of the masterpieces of Baroque statuary, the work of the Maltese Melchiorre Gafà.

Knisja tan-Nawfraġju ta’ San Pawl

L-ewwel knisja iddedikata lin-Nawfraġju ta’ San Pawl fil-belt Valletta inbniet f’lokalità oħra. Bil-wasla u t-twaqqif ta’ l-Ordni tal-Ġiżwiti f’Malta, lejn it-tmiem tas-seklu sittax, il-knisja iddedikata lin-Nawfraġju ingħatat lil dan l-Ordni, u inbniet knisja ġdida fl-istess post fejn tinstab illum. Fl-1639 kien deċiż li tinbena knisja akbar u l-perit Malti Bartolomeo Garagona ingħata l-inkarigu biex jiddisinja l-knisja l-ġdida. Il-koppla kienet xoghol ta’ Lorenzo Gafà, filwaqt li l-faċċata hija xoghol ta’ Nicola Zammit u saret fis-seklu dsatax. Il-knisja minn ġewwa hija imżejna sew, fejn naraw xoghol ta’ Matteo Perez d’Aleccio, Antoine Favray u Attilio Palombi. L-istatwa titulari ta’ San Pawl hija meqjusa bhala waħda mill-kapulavuri ta’ statwi tal-Barokk, xoghol tal-Malti, Melchiorre Gafà.​

Attached to the Auberge of Aragon is the national church of the Langue of Aragon, dedicated to Our Lady of Pilar. The church was built in 1670 through the generosity of Fra Felice Innigues de Ayerbe, who eventually was to be the only person to be buried inside the church. The interior was decorated through the generosity of the Bali of Majorca, Fra Raimondo de Soler. After the earthquake of 1693, during which it suffered some structural damage, Romano Carapecchia was commissioned to rebuild the dome and to add a new façade to the church. Due to the narrowness of the street, the façade cannot be really appreciated. The interior of the church is richly decorated with sculptures and paintings. The titular painting is by Stefano Erardi.

Knisja tal-Madonna tal-Pilar

Mibnija biswit il-Berġa ta’ Aragona, din hija l-knisja nazzjonali tal-Lingwa ta’ Aragona, iddedikata lil Madonna tal-Pilar. Il-knisja inbniet  fl-1670, bil-ġenerożità tal-kavallier Fra Felice Innigues de Ayerbe, li kellu jkun l-uniku persuna li indifen f’din il-knisja. Id-dekorazzjoni tal-knisja minn ġewwa saret bil-ġenerożità tal-Balliju ta’ Majorka, Fra Raimondo de Soler. Minħabba il-ħsarat li ġarrbet il-knisja wara it-terremot ta’ l-1693, Romano Carapecchia kien ikkummissjonat biex jibni mill-ġdid il-koppla u jibni faċċata ġdida. Minħabba li t-triq hija dejqa, wieħed ma tantx jista’ japprezza il-faċċata ta’din il-knisja. Il-knisja minn ġewwa hija ferm sabiħa, u hija iddekorata b’pitturi u skultura. Il-kwadru titulari huwa xoghol ta’ Stefano Erardi.​

During the 1570s a church dedicated to St Nicholas of Bari started being built by the Greek community. The same church was handed over to the Confraternity of All the Souls in Purgatory in 1639, and this led to the church being referred to by the name of the Confraternity. In 1652 the church was rebuilt to the designs of Francesco Buonamici, and Lorenzo Gafa was working as a sculptor during the building of the church. One can notice the large stone statue of St Nicholas on the façade. The church was built in a Greek cross plan.  The titular painting is by Mattia Preti, executed during his first stay in Malta in 1659. The church was damaged during World War Two. The reconstruction of the church was entrusted to Joseph Sammut.

Knisja ta’ San Nikola

Fis-sebgħinijiet tas-seklu sittax ingħata bidu għal bini ta’ knisja iddedikata lil San Nikola ta’ Bari. Din il-knisja bdiet tinbena mill-komunità Griega. Aktar tard, fl-1639, l-istess knisja ingħatat lil Fratellanza ta’ l-Erwieħ, u minn dak in-nhar il-knisja bdiet tkun magħrufa bhala ta’ l-Erwieħ. Fl-1652 il-knisja inbniet mill-ġdid fuq id-disinn ta’ Francesco Buonamici, jahdem miegħu fl-iskultura kien hemm Lorenzo Gafa. Fil-faċċata tal-knisja naraw statwa kbira li turi lil San Nikola. Il-pjanta tal-knisja hija fuq stil ta’ salib Latin. Bhala kwadru titulari naraw xoghol ta’ Mattia Preti, kwadru li inħadem waqt l-ewwel żjara ta’ Preti f’Malta fl-1659. Il-knisja sofriet ħsarat matul it-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija. Ir-rikostruzzjoni tal-knisja kienet fdata f’idejn Joseph Sammut.​

he church dedicated to St Barbara was built by the Langue of Provence. The first church was small, but in the 18^th century it was pulled down and a new church was built on the designs of the Italian architect Romano Carapecchia. The façade is plain with two free standing Ionic columns. Above the main entrance is a statue of the Immaculate Conception, placed there at the beginning of the 20^th century. The interior of the church is well balanced, and it has a titular painting by Antoine Favray, showing the Martyrdom of St Barbara. The church used to host the Confraternity of Bombardiers, as St Barbara is the patron saint of gunners.

Knisja ta’ Santa Barbara

Il-knisja iddedikata lil Santa Barbara inbniet mill-Lingwa ta’ Provenza, waħda mit-tmiem Lingwi ta’ l-Ordni ta’ San Ġwann. L-ewwel knisja kienet żgħira, iżda fis-seklu tmintax din twaqqgħet u bdiet tinbena l-knisja preżenti. Il-perit kien it-Taljan, Romano Carapecchia. Fil-faċċata naraw żewġ kolonni fl-istil Joniku, u l-kumplament tal-faċċata hija nieqsa minn ħafna dekorazzjoni. Fuq il-bieb hemm statwa ta’ l-Immakulata Kunċizzjoni, statwa li tpoġġiet hemm fil-bidu tas-seklu 20. Minn ġewwa l-knisja hija sabiħa, u għandha arkitettura bilanċjata. Il-kwadru titulari huwa xoghol tal-pittur Franċiż, Antoine Favray, li qed juri l-Martirju ta’ Santa Barbara. Fil-knisja kien hemm il-Fratellanza tal-Bumbardiera, Fratellanza li l-patruna tagħhom hija Santa Barbara.​

This is known to be the first church to have been built in the new city of Valletta. Traditionally it is also held that the ceremony of the foundation stone of Valletta is located here. The church, dedicated to Our Lady of Victory, was built by Grand Master Jean de Valette, the hero of the Great Siege of 1565 and the founder of the city of Valletta. Built in 1566 the first church was small, and it was to be the resting place of its founder Grand Master de Valette when he died in 1568. The church was enlarged more than once in the following years and more altars were added. The present façade dates to the 18^th century, and it is adorned with a bronze bust of Pope Innocent XII, a former Inquisitor in Malta. In 1716 Alessio Erardi was commissioned to decorate the nave of the church with various scenes from the Life of the Virgin. Towards the end of the 18^th century, a monument to the Venetian Admiral, Angelo Emo, was erected after the death of the admiral in Malta. 

Knisja tal-Madonna tal-Vitorja

Din hija magħrufa li kienet l-ewwel knisja li inbniet fil-Belt Valletta, il-belt il-ġdida li bnew il-Kavallieri wara ir-rebħa ta’ l-Assedju l-Kbir. Skont tradizzjoni, iċ-ċerimonja tat-tberik ta’ l-ewwel ġebla tal-belt il-ġdida saret fejn inbniet il-knisja. L-istess knisja ġiet iddedikata lil Madonna tal-Vitorja, u kienet imħallsa mill-Gran Mastru Jean de Valette, l-eroj ta’ l-Assedju l-Kbir u l-fundatur tal-Belt Valletta. Mibnija fl-1566 l-ewwel knisja kienet żgħira, u kellha ukoll tkun fejn indifen il-Gran Mastru de Valette meta hu miet fis-sena 1568. Il-knisja ġiet imkabbra aktar minn darba fis-snin ta’ wara u ġew miżjuda aktar altari fuq ġewwa. Il-faċċata li naraw illum tmur lura għas-seklu tmintax, u naraw ukoll il-bust tal-bronż li juri lil Papa Innoċenzu XII, li għamel żmien bhala Inkwiżitur hawn Malta. Fl-1716 Alessio Erardi kien mitlub biex isebbaħ in-nava tal-knisja billi jpitter diversi episodji mill-hajja tal-Madonna. Lejn tmiem is-seklu tmintax twaqqaf monument għall-Ammirall tar-Repubblika ta’ Venezja, Angelo Emo, wara li dan miet f’Malta.​

The national church of the French Langue was built outside the fortifications of Valletta, close to the harbour. The church, dedicated to Our Lady of Liesse, was first constructed in 1620. The present building dates to the 18^th century, when the church was rebuilt to the designs of Andrea Belli. The façade is well balanced, with a central decorated window about the entrance.  The dome of the church and its adjacent bell tower are very prominent. The church has three altars, and the apse is richly decorated. The titular painting is by Enrico Arnaud, considered his best work. Behind a marble tablet in the church, the heart of Vicomte de Beaujolais, the brother of King Louis Philippe of France, is buried.

Knisja tal-Madonna ta’ Liesse

Il-knisja nazzjonali tal-Lingwa ta’ Franza inbniet il-barra mis-swar tal-belt Valletta, viċin il-port. Il-knisja, iddedikata lil Madonna ta’ Liesse, inbniet għall-ewwel darba fl-1620. Il-bini preżenti jmur lura għas-seklu tmintax, meta l-knisja reġgħet inbniet fuq id-disinn tal-perit Malti  Andrea Belli. Il-faċċata hija bilanċjata u t-tieqa ċentrali li naraw fuq il-bieb, hija dekorata. Il-koppla tal-knisja kif ukoll il-kampnar tagħha huma ferm prominenti. Il-knisja għandha tlett artali u l-absida hija dekorata sew. Il-kwadru titulari huwa xoghol tal-Malti Enrico Arnaud, u dan il-kwadru huwa meqjus bhala l-aħjar wieħed tiegħu. Wara lapida li hemm f’rokna fil-knisja hemm midfuna il-qalb ta’ Vicomte de Beaujolais, ħu ir-Re Louis Philippe ta’ Franza.​

Church of Our Lady of Porto Salvo and St Dominic

Soon after the start of the building of the new city of Valletta, a small church dedicated to Our Lady of Porto Salvo was built by a few Dominican priests. The first church was designed by Gerolamo Cassar. Extended during the following years, it was eventually decided that it was not stable, and at the beginning of the 19^th century a new church was built. The present building was designed by Antonio Cachia. The façade of the church is in a concave form, and it is decorated with a number of sculptures, amongst which is a copy of the bronze bust of Pope St Pius V, one of the great benefactors of the new city of Valletta. The interior is richly decorated with works by Giuseppe Cali, who was baptised in the same church. The processional statue of St Dominic is a 17^th century work of Spanish art.

Knisja tal-Madonna ta’ Portu Salvu u San Duminku

Ftit wara li ingħata bidu għal bini ta’ belt ġdida, il-Belt Valletta, inbniet knisja żgħira iddedikata lil Madonna ta’ Portu Salvu, mill-Patrijiet Dumnikani. L-ewwel knisja inbniet fuq id-disinn tal-perit Malti Girolamo Cassar. Matul is-snin il-knisja tkabbret, iżda kien hemm żmien meta inħass li ma kienetx f’kundizzjoni tajba, u fil-bidu tas-seklu dsatax inbniet knisja ġdida. Il-knisja preżenti inbniet fuq id-disinn ta’ Antonio Cachia. Il-faċċata tal-knisja hija f’forma konkavu u hija iddekorata b’diversi statwi u skultura. Fosthom hemm kopja ta’ bust tal-Papa San Piju V, wieħed mill-benefatturi ewlenin fil-bini tal-belt il-ġdida Valletta. Il-knisja minn ġewwa hija ferm iddekorata b’xogħolijiet tal-Malti Giuseppe Cali, li kien tgħammed f’din l-istess knisja. L-istatwa proċessjonali ta’ San Duminku hija xoghol sabiħ Spanjol tas-seklu sbatax. 

Church of the Presentation of Our Lady in the Temple

The site has an interesting history. Originally a building which was donated to a group of women who were taking care of young girls stood here. The building was donated by a noble family after a vow they had made, to have their son healed. Towards the beginning of the 17^th century a small church was added to the monastery. Eventually, after the women residing in the building were officially recognized as a religious order, a bigger monastery was erected and dedicated to St Catherine. It was in 1714 that the present church was built to the designs of Romano Carapecchia. The architect managed to create a dynamic façade on the restricted site. The interior of the church is richly decorated. The titular painting is by Enrico Arnaud.

Knisja tal-Preżentazzjoni tal-Madonna fit-Tempju

L-istorja wara din il-proprjetà hija ferm interessanti. Oriġinarjament kien hemm binja li ingħatat lil grupp ta’ nisa li kienu qed jieħdu ħsieb tfajliet. Il-binja kienet mogħtija minn familja nobbli, wara li kienu għamlu wegħda biex ifiq it-tifel tagħhom. Fil-bidu tas-seklu sbatax inbniet knisja, u ingħaqdet mal-binja oriġinali. Aktar tard, wara lin-nisa li kienu qed joqgħodu fil-binja ġew rikonoxxuti bhala ordni reliġjuż, inbena monasteru akbar u ġie iddedikat lil Santa Katerina. Kien fl-1714 li l-knisja preżenti inbniet fuq disinn tal-perit Romano Carapecchia. Il-perit irnexxielu joħloq faċċata dinamika, għalkemm il-post huwa ristrett. Il-knisja minn ġewwa hija imżejna sew, u l-kwadru titulari huwa xoghol ta’ Enrico Arnaud.​

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church 

Facing the waterfront of Vittoriosa is a small church dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The original church was built in 1611 and was offered to be run by the Carmelite Order. Due to the small number of priests serving in the church, in 1653 the church was handed over to the Bishop of Malta. The church was eventually restored and was supported by the galley crews of the fleet of the Order of St John. During the Second World War the church was severely damaged, and subsequently rebuilt. It is unfortunate that the original architect of the church is not known, as some of the interior decorations indicate that it was of high standard. In the past the galley crews used to organise a procession during Holy Week from this church. They would be all dressed up in black, and some of them would also be wearing hoods over their heads, although prisoners were still chained.

Knisja tal-Madonna tal-Karmnu

Tħares lejn ix-xatt tal-Birgu hemm knisja żgħira iddedikata lil Madonna tal-Karmnu. L-ewwel knisja tidher li inbniet fis-sena 1611 u kienet offruta biex tkun immexxijja mill-patrijiet Karmelitani. Minħabba in-numru żgħir ta’ patrijiet li kienu jservu f’din il-knisja, il-patrijiet Karmelitani kellhom jitilqu it-tmexxija tagħha, u jgħadduha f’idejn l-Isqof ta’ Malta. Dan seħħ fl-1653. Il-knisja ġiet restawrata u iċ-ċorom tal-bastimenti tal-flotta ta’ l-Ordni ta’ San Ġwann kienu jieħdu ħsieb li joffru l-għajnuna tagħhom lil din il-knisja. Matul it-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija il-knisja ġarrbet ħsarat kbar u aktar tard inbniet mill-ġdid. Hija ħasra li l-perit li bena din il-knisja mhuwiex magħruf, għax l-arkitettura li kien iżżejjen il-knisja kien interessanti u ta’ livell għoli. Fil-passat kienu jkunu il-baħrin tal-bastimenti ta’ l-Ordni ta’ San Ġwann li kienu jieħdu ħsieb li jorganizzaw purċissjoni tal-Ġimgħa l-Kbira minn din il-knisja. Dawn kienu jilbsu bl-iswed, u ħafna minnhom kien ikollhom rashom mgħammda, filwaqt li priġunieri kien ikollhom ktajjen ma’ saqajhom. Din il-purċissjoni kienet magħrufa bhala il-Purċissjoni s-Sewda.​