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 / 35.90111; 14.512056Coordinates: 35°54′004″N 14°30′43.4″E / 35.90111°N 14.512056°E / 35.90111; 14.512056
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.

Interior of the Basilica

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. 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.

The church building is listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.[4]

Further reading

See also

References

  1. "Our Lady of Carmel". Retrieved on 03 November 2014.
  2. "Santwarju Bazilika Tal-Madonna Tal-Karmnu", Gcatholic. Retrieved on 03 November 2014.
  3. "Santuary [sic] - Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel". Retrieved on 03 November 2014.
  4. "Basilica of the Madonna of Mount Carmel" (PDF). National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands. 27 August 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
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