St Helen's Basilica

St Helen's Basilica is a Baroque church in Birkirkara with a central dome and a symmetrical cross-shaped layout inside. The building has two bell towers at the facade and several side chapels that organize the interior space.

Construction started in 1727 when Bishop Gaspare Gori-Mancini laid the foundation stone. The building replaced three earlier churches that had stood on the same spot.

The interior displays portraits by Maltese artists along the walls, works created by Edward Caruana Dingli and Willie Apap that shape how the space feels. These paintings tell the story of local artistic tradition through the eyes of the community.

The building is located in the center of Birkirkara and is easily accessible on foot from most areas. The two tall bell towers are visible from many points around town and serve as useful landmarks.

The bell installed in one of the towers in 1932 is the largest church bell in the country. This bell is a meaningful symbol of local identity and makes the building noticeable through sound as well as sight.

Location: Birkirkara

Architectural style: Baroque

Height: 42.05 m

Length: 64.34 m

Width: 40.37 m

Address: Pjazza Sant'Elena

Website: http://santaliena.org

GPS coordinates: 35.90000,14.46530

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:01