Basilica of the Visitation, Għarb

Basilica of the Visitation
The Basilica and Collegiate Parish church of the Visitation Our Lady
Il-Bażilika u Kolleġġjata tal-Viżitazzjoni
Basilica of the Visitation
36°03′36.9″N 14°12′32.1″E / 36.060250°N 14.208917°E / 36.060250; 14.208917
Location	Għarb
Country	Malta
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Founded	1699
Dedication	Visitation
Consecrated	28 September 1755
Architecture
Status	Active
Functional status	Collegiate Parish church
Architectural type	Church
Style	Baroque
Completed	1729
Specifications
Number of spires	2
Administration
Parish	Għarb
Diocese	Gozo
Clergy
Bishop(s)	Mario Grech
Archpriest	Joseph Sultana

The Basilica of the Visitation is a baroque, collegiate parish church located in the western part of the island of Gozo in the village of Għarb.^[1]

History

Għarb became an independent parish on 29 August 1679 by Bishop Michael Molina. It was the second parish to be established outside Victoria.The first parish church was that of the Visitation located downhill to the present church. The original parish church, also known as Taż-Żejt is located beside the village cemetery. Since the population of the village grew it was decided to build a bigger church in a more central part of the village. The present church was built between 1699 and 1729.^[2] It has an elegant façade which has been compared with Francesco Borromini's Church of Saint Agnes in Piazza Navona, Rome. The church was consecrated on 28 September 1755. The church became the second Collegiate of Gozo on 19 May 1774.^[3]

References