baroque
The Baroque ( , , ) is a Western Style (visual arts), style of Baroque architecture, architecture, Baroque music, music, Baroque dance, dance, Baroque painting, painting, Baroque sculpture, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished from ...
parish church
A parish church (or parochial church) in Christianity is the Church (building), church which acts as the religious centre of a parish. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church may play a significant role in com ...
located in the western part of the island of
Gozo
Gozo ( ), known in classical antiquity, antiquity as Gaulos, is an island in the Malta#The Maltese archipelago, Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Republic of Malta. After the Malta Island, island of Malta ...
in the village of
Għarb
Għarb () is an administrative unit of Malta, located at the westernmost point of the island of Gozo, with a population of 1,549 people (as of 2021).
Etymology
The name ''Għarb'' (غرب) comes from the Arabic word for "West," referring to ...
.
History
Għarb
Għarb () is an administrative unit of Malta, located at the westernmost point of the island of Gozo, with a population of 1,549 people (as of 2021).
Etymology
The name ''Għarb'' (غرب) comes from the Arabic word for "West," referring to ...
became an independent parish on 29 August 1679 by Bishop Michael Molina. It was the second parish to be established outside
Victoria
Victoria most commonly refers to:
* Queen Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India
* Victoria (state), a state of Australia
* Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, a provincial capital
* Victoria, Seychelles, the capi ...
. The first parish church was that of the Visitation located downhill to the present church. The original parish church, also known as ''Taż-Żejt'' is located beside the village cemetery. Since the population of the village grew it was decided to build a bigger church in a more central part of the village. The present church was built between 1699 and 1729. It has an elegant façade which has been compared with
Francesco Borromini
Francesco Borromini (, ), byname of Francesco Castelli (; 25 September 1599 – 2 August 1667), was an Italian architect born in the modern Switzerland, Swiss canton of Ticino
Rome
Rome (Italian language, Italian and , ) is the capital city and most populated (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio Regions of Italy, region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special named with 2, ...
. The church was consecrated on 28 September 1755. The church became the second Collegiate of
Gozo
Gozo ( ), known in classical antiquity, antiquity as Gaulos, is an island in the Malta#The Maltese archipelago, Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Republic of Malta. After the Malta Island, island of Malta ...
on 19 May 1774 and was elevated to the status of a minor Basilica on 28 November 1967. Once the church became a minor basilica in 1967 by
Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI (born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini; 26 September 18976 August 1978) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding John XXII ...
Tintinnabulum. These two items, as can be seen in the photo, are carried in the procession in which the collegiate chapter of the church participates in. Also the same image on the left shows the coat of arms of both the Diocese and the incumbent Pope. A
Minor Basilica
Basilicas are Catholic church buildings that have a designation, conferring special privileges, given by the Pope. Basilicas are distinguished for ceremonial purposes from other churches. The building need not be a basilica in the architectura ...
has the privilege of including the Pope's coat of arms over the church's main door.
The church building is listed on the
National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands
The National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands (NICPMI) is a heritage register listing the cultural property of Malta. The inventory includes properties such as archaeological sites, fortifications, religious buildings, mon ...
.
See also
*
Culture of Malta
The culture of Malta has been influenced by various societies that have come into contact with the Maltese Islands throughout the centuries, including neighbouring Mediterranean cultures, and the cultures of the nations that ruled Malta for l ...
*
History of Malta
Malta has been inhabited since 6400 BC initially by Mesolithic hunter gatherers, who were replaced by Early European Farmers, Neolithic farmers from Sicily around 5400 BC. These farmers practiced mixed farming after clearing most of the existin ...
Religion in Malta
Catholic Christianity is the predominant religion in Malta. The Constitution of Malta establishes Catholicism as the state religion, and it is also reflected in various elements of Culture of Malta, Maltese culture.
According to a 2018 survey ...