Parish Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Mellieħa, Baroque parish church in Mellieħa, Malta
The Parish Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is a baroque church building in Mellieħa featuring two symmetrical bell towers flanking a central dome that rises above the town. The structure is built from limestone blocks and contains an ornate interior with a wide nave decorated with paintings and architectural details.
The building was constructed between 1881 and 1898 when community members transported limestone blocks from the local quarry at l-Aħrax to erect this church for the growing population. The bell towers were later equipped with bells from Milan between 1920 and 1940, showing the gradual completion of the structure over several decades.
The interior displays paintings by notable Maltese artists Giuseppe Calì and Lazzaro Pisani, representing religious themes through local artistic expression. These works have shaped the spiritual life of the community and visitors see them as important examples of local artistic craft.
The church is accessible daily to visitors at various times of the day. Clear pathways inside allow easy navigation through the interior, and the entrance is easily reachable from the center of Mellieħa.
Each of the five bells in the towers bears a dedication to a different saint and was crafted by artisans from Milan between 1920 and 1940. These detailed inscriptions remain visible today and tell of the international craftsmanship that went into completing this place.
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