Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Valletta
| Basilica of Our lady of Mount Carmel | |
|---|---|
| Bażilika u Santwarju tal-Madonna tal-Karmnu | |
 | |
  Basilica of Our lady of Mount Carmel | |
| 35°54′004″N 14°30′43.4″E / 35.90111°N 14.512056°E | |
| Location | Valletta |
| Country | Malta |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Founded | 1570 |
| Dedication | Our Lady of Mount Carmel |
| Consecrated | 1981 |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Active |
| Functional status | Church |
| Completed | 1981 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of domes | 1 |
| Number of spires | 1 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Valletta |
| Archdiocese | Malta |
| Clergy | |
| Rector | Alex Scerri |
The Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Bażilika Santwarju tal-Madonna tal-Karmnu) is a Roman Catholic church in the Maltese capital Valletta on the island of Malta. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes the entire city of Valletta, and is one of the most famous churches and main tourist attractions of Valletta.
Original Church
The first church was dedicated to the Annunciation. It was built around 1570 on the designs of Girolamo Cassar.[1] In the 17th century it was given to the Carmelites and thus received its present patronage to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The façade was redesigned in 1852 by Giuseppe Bonavia. On May 14, 1895 by Pope Leo XIII elevated the church to the rank of Minor Basilica.[2] The church was seriously damaged during the Second World War and it had to be rebuilt.
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Present Basilica
The new church was built from 1958 to 1981.[3] It was consecrated in 1981. The 42 meter high oval dome dominates both the city skyline and Marsamxett Harbour.
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It is higher than the steeple of the immediately adjacent Anglican Cathedral in Valletta. The main attraction in the interior is a painting of Our Lady of Mount Carmel dating from the early 17th century. The interior has been sculpted by the sculptor Joseph Damato over 19 years. Striking are the columns of red marble.
References
- ↑ "Our Lady of Carmel". Retrieved on 03 November 2014.
- ↑ "Santwarju Bazilika Tal-Madonna Tal-Karmnu", Gcatholic. Retrieved on 03 November 2014.
- ↑ "Santuary - Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel". Retrieved on 03 November 2014.