Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Valletta

Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Bażilika u Santwarju tal-Madonna tal-Karmnu
Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Pauls Pro-Cathedral.jpg
Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is located in Malta
Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
35°54′0.7″N 14°30′44.2″E / 35.900194°N 14.512278°E / 35.900194; 14.512278Coordinates: 35°54′0.7″N 14°30′44.2″E / 35.900194°N 14.512278°E / 35.900194; 14.512278
LocationValletta
CountryMalta
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
StatusActive
Founded1570
DedicationOur Lady of Mount Carmel
Consecrated1981
Architecture
Functional statusChurch
Completed1981
Specifications
Number of domes1
Number of spires1
Administration
ParishValletta
ArchdioceseMalta
Clergy
RectorAlex Scerri

The Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Maltese: Bażilika Santwarju tal-Madonna tal-Karmnu) is a Roman Catholic church in the capital Valletta on the island of Malta. It is one of the most famous churches and main tourist attractions of Valletta, and it forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site which includes the entire city.

Original church

The first church was dedicated to the Annunciation. It was built around 1570 on the designs of Girolamo Cassar.[1] In the 17th century, it was given to the Carmelites and thus received its present patronage to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The façade was redesigned in 1852 by Giuseppe Bonavia. On May 14, 1895, Pope Leo XIII elevated the church to the rank of Minor Basilica.[2] The church was seriously damaged during the Second World War and had to be rebuilt.

Present Basilica

Interior of the Basilica

The new church was built from 1958 to 1981.[3] It was consecrated in 1981. The 42 meter high oval dome dominates both the city skyline and Marsamxett Harbour. It is higher than the steeple of the immediately adjacent Anglican Cathedral in Valletta. The main attraction in the interior is a painting of Our Lady of Mount Carmel dating from the early 17th century. The interior has been sculpted by Joseph Damato over 19 years. Striking are the columns of red marble.

The church building is listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.[4]

Further reading

See also

References

  1. ^ "Our Lady of Carmel". Retrieved on 03 November 2014.
  2. ^ "Santwarju Bazilika Tal-Madonna Tal-Karmnu", Gcatholic. Retrieved on 03 November 2014.
  3. ^ "Santuary [sic] - Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel". Retrieved on 03 November 2014.
  4. ^ "Basilica of the Madonna of Mount Carmel" (PDF). National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands. 27 August 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2015.

This page was last updated at 2019-11-11 07:12 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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