PILGRIMAGE TRAIL
MALTA Sanctuary of Sacro Cuor, Sliema Dedicated to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the church was built in 1877. The Chapel of Our Saviour, Kalkara The Chapel of Our Saviour was used as a burial site for the nephew of Pope Alexander VII in 1676. In 1798, Mattia Preti’s artwork was stolen by French invaders, and a replacement was painted by Francesco Madiona which is on display in the chapel today. Chapel of St. George Preca, Hamrun The chapel is dedicated to St. George Preca, the founder of M.U.S.E.U.M, a society established in Malta to help local inhabitants understand the Catholic faith. All children who wish to be confirmed have to attend M.U.S.E.U.M up to four days a week until the age of thirteen. St. Paul’s Church and Grotto, Rabat It is believed that when St. Paul was shipwrecked on the island of Malta in A.D. 60, he was given refuge in this grotto in Rabat. St. Paul’s Church is dedicated to the saint, and now sits above the grotto. St Paul’s Catacombs and St Agatha’s Catacombs Situated near St Paul’s Grottos, these 2000 year old Christian burial grounds are interconnected, underground Roman cemeteries that were in use up to 8AD Laferla Cross, Siggiewi Laferla Cross, found on top of a hill in Siggiewi, gives a unique view of Malta. On Good Friday, the path and hill leading to the Cross are candle lit, creating a special atmosphere for prayer and reflection. Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, Mosta During World War II, the Luftwaffe dropped three bombs on the Mosta Dome. and two of them deflected without exploding. One 500kg high explosive bomb pierced the rotunda and entered the church, where a congregation of more than 300 people were awaiting early evening mass. The bomb bounced across the floor and did not explode, which was interpreted as a miracle by the Maltese.
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St. Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina The cathedral was founded in the 17th century, the land is believed to have been originally occupied by the palace of St. Publius; the governor that greeted St. Paul when he arrived in Malta. St. Augustine Church, Valletta The present church was built by Giuseppe Bonnici in 1765. One of the artefacts found in the first church was a 16th Century painting depicted by the famous artist Mattia Preti. Basilica of St. Dominic, Valletta The newest church on this site was opened in 1815 and is one of three parishes in the capital city of Valletta. St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta The jaw dropping interior, elaborately adorned by Mattia Preti, is widely considered to be the best example of baroque style in Europe. The magnificent Cathedral is also home to the only signed Caravaggio painting in the world. Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Valletta The grand 42-meter high oval dome of the Basilica dominates the entire skyline of Valletta. The main attraction within the walls is a painting of Our Lady of Mount Carmel dating to the 17th century. St Paul’s Shipwreck Church, Valletta Saint Paul the Apostle is considered the spiritual father of the Maltese; his shipwreck in Malta is described in Acts 28:1 of the New Testament. Designed by Girolamo Cassar, the church was completed in 1582. Our Lady of Victory, Valletta This was the first church building in Valletta and built to commemorate the victory of the Knights of the Order of St John and the Maltese over the Ottoman invaders in 1565. The church is built on the site where a religious ceremony was held to inaugurate the laying of the foundation stone of Valletta in 1566.
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Chapel of St Demetrius, Għarb St. Demetrius chapel is located just outside the village of Gharb and is the only church on the Maltese Islands dedicated to the saint. Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Qala The main attraction of the 9th century chapel is the altarpiece featuring a painting of God extending his protection over the Virgin Mary. Cathedral of the Assumption, Gozo Located inside the Cittadella, the Cathedral of the Assumption doesn’t have a structured dome but the painting of the ceiling creates a three-dimensional effect. Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict visited the Cathedral when they visited Gozo. Tas-Salvatur Hill Discover the statue of the risen Christ on TasSalvatur Hill, which boasts beautiful views of Gozo. Ta’ Pinu Hill Located opposite the sanctuary of Ta’ Pinu in in the village of Gharb, 14 marble statues on the hill represent the Via Crucis. St George’s Basilica This historic Baroque church is situated in the middle of Victoria and was built between 1672 and 1678. The adjoining museum exhibit treasures belonging to St George’s Basilica and other Gozitan historical and cultural artefacts. Basilica of Ta Pinu, Gharb In 1883, Karmni Grima heard a voice asking her to recite three Hail Marys’ as she passed the church. Over the following years miracles in the area were attributed to the Virgin Mary, to whom the church is dedicated. The church is now a place of pilgrimage for the Maltese and has been visited by Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict. The nearby farmhouse where Karmini lived, has become a museum about her life and death.
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