Church of St Catherine, Żejtun, Baroque parish church in Żejtun, Malta.
The Church of St Catherine is a Baroque parish church in Żejtun with a prominent dome and an elaborately designed facade featuring Doric and Ionic pilasters. Massive cornices and carefully proportioned architecture follow traditional Maltese building styles.
Construction began in 1692 under architect Lorenzo Gafà to replace the earlier St Gregory's Church on this site. The building was consecrated on May 11, 1742, completing a lengthy construction period that spanned several decades.
The church is dedicated to St Catherine and serves as the spiritual center where the community gathers for major religious celebrations and daily worship. This role has made it a symbol of local identity and continuity for the people of Żejtun.
The church is open during regular prayer services and daily masses when visitors can freely enter and explore the interior. For visits outside these times, it is best to contact the parish office beforehand to arrange access and show respect for ongoing religious activities.
Secret passages were discovered during waterproofing work in 1969, revealing human remains and connecting to historical military events in Malta. These hidden corridors suggest the church played a deeper role during turbulent periods in the island's past.
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