Medieval Chapels
A number of chapels dating back to the medieval period
can be found scattered in the countryside of the Maltese Islands. They
are in their majority composed of a nave only and usually have a roof resting
on a number of pointed arches. The best known chapel is certainly
that dedicated to the Annunciation at Hal-Millieri where a number of wall
frescoes (see picture below) have been uncovered.
Other chapels dating back to this period include those of
Ta' Ceppuna (Marsa), Ta' Bakkari (Zurrieq), Santa Cecilia (Ghajnsielem)
and Bir Miftuh (Gudja). Not all the chapels dating back to this period
were free-standing. Caves were also adopted as chapels. At Lunzjata in
the limits of Rabat, one finds a troglodytic chapel probably dating back
to the beginning of the thirteenth century. Dedicated to St. Leonard’s
this cave church has a semi-circular plan and like other cave-churches
in the Rabat area shows evidence for mural paintings. An apse is hewn out
of the rock in the eastern part of the cave and contains a painted statue
of St. Leonard. The side-walls of the cave have rock-cut benches, an architectural
detail which was later reproduced in free-standing medieval churches.
Medieval troglodytic churches can be found in various localities
around the islands. San Niklaw (Mellieha), Ghar Hanzir
(Qormi), and St. Agatha (Rabat) are three of the more interesting cave-churches
which can still be visited
GO BACK
Contact author by
E-Mail