Tag: churches

Zebbug Church in Gozo and explore Gozo’s heritage with Waves of Heritage, a retro wooden cruise and vintage bus through historic villages

Churches of Gozo, Malta’s Spiritual Jewel The island of Gozo is a treasure trove of spiritual heritage, with churches that speak to centuries of devotion, artistry, and architectural grandeur. While often overshadowed by its larger sister island, Malta, Gozo offers an intimate and authentic experience for travelers seeking both cultural immersion and sacred beauty. Gozo, though just 67 square kilometers in size, is home to over 40 churches, a remarkable number considering its modest population. Each of these churches, from majestic cathedrals to humble chapels, tells a story of faith, tradition, and the enduring strength of the island’s Catholic roots. The Cathedral of the Assumption, Victoria, Gozo No visit to Gozo is complete without exploring the Churches of Gozo. One famous place in Gozo is Victoria, the island’s capital, and its crown jewel, the Cathedral of the Assumption. Nestled within the imposing Cittadella, the cathedral stands as a testament to Baroque elegance and spiritual devotion. Built in the late 17th century on the site of an earlier church, the cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Its most remarkable feature is an illusory dome, a masterful trompe-l’œil painting by Italian artist Antonio Manuele that gives the impression of a grand dome where there is none. Inside, the cathedral offers serene beauty, from its gilded altar to the intricate marble floor tombstones that echo the voices of centuries past. The cathedral’s construction was strongly supported by the Order of St. John, the Knights Hospitaller, who were central to the governance of Malta during this period. The Order’s influence in Gozo, and Malta at large, can still be felt in the grandeur of the churches and fortifications built during their time. The panoramic views from the Cittadella’s ramparts are a reward in themselves, rolling hills, limestone villages, and a skyline peppered with church domes as far as the eye can see. Ta’ Pinu Basilica – A Place of Pilgrimage and Miracles Perhaps the most iconic and revered church on the island is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu. Located near Għarb, this Roman Catholic basilica is considered a sacred site not just for Gozitans but for all Maltese. The church gained prominence after a local woman claimed to hear the voice of the Virgin Mary in the 1880s. Since then, Ta’ Pinu has become a pilgrimage site associated with miraculous healings and answered prayers. The current basilica was completed in the 1930s and consecrated in 1932. The architecture is neo-Romanesque, with a honey-colored stone façade that glows in the Mediterranean sun. The interior is peaceful and awe-inspiring, adorned with mosaics, marble, and ex-voto offerings, testimonials to faith and gratitude. The surrounding countryside also features a series of outdoor mosaics and stations of the cross, ideal for quiet reflection. Xewkija Rotunda: Gozo’s Architectural Wonder In the village of Xewkija stands one of the most remarkable churches in Gozo, the Rotunda of St. John the Baptist, commonly referred to as the Xewkija Rotunda. It CONTINUE READING