Rabat

St.Paul’s Parish Collegiate

This church is built over the ditch of a Roman city right on the grotto where traditionally St.Paul stayed during his three months in Malta in 60 A.D. In 1336 bishop Hilarius refers to the underground church as 'Ecclesia Sancti Pauli de Crypta', and also mentions its cemetery and the Roman ditch. It was already listed as a parish church in 1575 in the Dusina report. In 1610 Pope Paul V gave special indulgences to visitors. Over the ages the church was rebuilt completely several times on the site, both by the diocese and the Knights of St.John. The present church was built on plans of F.Bonamico with funds provided by the noble woman Guzmana Navarra and completed by Lorenzo Gafa in 1683. In 1930 some outside restoration was done. It was dedicated on the 21st Sept 1726. 

Annunciation

The church and friary of the Annunciation were built in 1418 with funds provided by the noble Catherine d'Alagona and given to the Carmelites who had just arrived in Malta. They modernized it in 1570. They left the church but demolished the friary in 1662 and used the stones to build a new friary in Mdina. In 1975 the Carmelites returned to their first church and built a retreat house near it. Marriages may be held in the church.

Annunciation Ta' Duna or Ta' Doni

Popular devotion to this church was already evident in 1575, when Mass was being celebrated here each Saturday and feast day. About 1644, a new altar was provided by Marietta Bonello. Between 1662 and 1666 Canon G B Zahra rebuilt this church, incorporating it with a site previously occupied by another church dedicated to St John the Baptist. Canon Antonio Famucelli, about 1685, presented this church with a marble statue of Our Lady. Various ex-votos testified to the popular devotion in this church throughout the 18th century. Nowadays members of the Legion of Mary use it for their meetings.

Annunciation tan-Nigret

This church close to Gheriexem, stood near another one dedicated to the Transfiguration of Our Lord. In 1636 it was almost destitute of everything, public worship was prohibited there as from 1644 onwards.

Assumption ta' Monte Cagliares

This church was built and duly endowed by Bishop Baldassare Cagliares for the benefit of farmers living in the area of the Bishop's estates. He founded here an ecclesiastical living for the same purpose, as recorded in the acts of Notary A.P. Vincella di Santoro on the 27th November 1615 

Assumption

One of the oldest churches of this dedication could have been the one which formed part of the group of chapels existing within the cemetery around St Paul's Grotto. An ecclesiastical living had also been founded in this chapel. When Dusina visited (1575), it was thoroughly abandoned and he ordered it closed to public worship. But till 1594 it was again functioning.

Chapel

A small chapel exists in the private heritage residence of 'Casa Bernard’, which was restored at the beginning of the 21st century.

Chapel

Adjacent to St.Paul's Collegiate and above St.Paul's Grotto, one can find the Wignacourt Museum containing works of art and archives. This complex also has a chapel which contains two altar-pieces, a Crucifix and a circular sottoquadro of Our lady of Sorrows.

Chapel

In the newly built elementary school within the Seminary grounds an ultra-modern chapel was also erected.

Chapel

Within the Wignacourt museum complex.

Chapel

This chapel is part of the Convent and School of the Ursuline Sisters.

Chapels

Chapels in Convents of Female Religious in Rabat: Augustinians; St Dorothy Sisters; Dominicans; Franciscans; Sisters of Charity; Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition; Society of the Sacred Heart; Daughters of the Sacred Heart.

Church

The apparent remains of an early surface Christian church have been excavated at the side of the Abbatija Tad-Dejr catacombs.

Coronation of Our Lady

This is the chapel in the palace containing the National Archives. The old building was restored including the chapel inside. Before 1762 Mons. B.Rull mentioned it in his report. It is also reported existing in 1866 by A Ferres.

Expectation of Birth

A chapel of this unusual dedication and another one of unknown dedication in a palazzo within the Verdala area were reported existing by A Ferres in 1866.

Holy Family

A chapel in Palazzo Castelletti, which for a long while was the premises of the L'Isle Adam Band Club, used to be dedicated to The Sacred Heart of Jesus and situated in an alcove in one corner of a hall. The band club has now moved to another premises, an old palace called Palazzo Xara and the chapel here is dedicated to the Holy Family.

Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Tal-Virtu'

Built in 1454 on a medieval crypt, the church itself was rebuilt in a dome shape in 1731. The Cathedral Chapter used to go there in procession on its feast day during the 17th century. On this occasion the blessing of Malta's harvest used to take place. In 1743, this church suffered considerable damage from an earthquake. It had just then been rebuilt and had been blessed a decade before.  In 1901 a statue of Christ Redeemer was solemnly unveiled on top of the dome. It again suffered damage in a 1923 earthquake after which the statue was taken to the old seminary. Recently it was restored and the statue is back in place, but alas, no maintenance is being done and there are already wild plants growing dangerously on the top of the dome.

Holy Rosary Hal Barka

Built by Joseph Fenech and his son at the turn of the 20th century, it was never consecrated but had a small picture of Our Lady of the Rosary above the altar. Commonly known by locals as the chapel of Our Lady of Pompeii, for a while it was in the hands of a Franciscan priest and catechism lessons held there. It was closed in the 1950s and is nowadays in use as a store for animal fodder.

Holy Rosary Oratory

This Oratory is situated adjacent to the Church of St Dominic.

Immaculate Conception tas-Settifika

Bishop Alpheran de Bussan on the 7th October 1735 authorized Gio. M. Farrugia to build this church on a site of another one previously dedicated to St Nicholas of Tolentino. Farrugia had already erected an ornate statue of the Immaculate Conception (in a niche which still exists close by) before 1734. The same Bishop blessed this new church on the 3rd December 1736. This tiny chapel has a single altar and is barely a few meters deep. On the facade, it has a very ornate door and instead of a usual cross, on top it has a small statue of the Immaculate Conception, nowadays sadly missing its head and an arm.

Immaculate Conception

At Buskett Gardens in the grounds of Verdala Palace, there is a small chapel in honour of the Immaculate Conception. It was blessed in 1735.

Immaculate Conception Wied Gerzuma

Grandmaster De Paule wanted to build this church, but it was actually built by his successor Manoel de Vilhena in 1731. Marriages may be celebrated in it.

Immaculate Conception & St.Anthony Abbot Ghemieri

This church is the chapel of Gomerino Palace. Since it was built in place of two churches, it kept both their dedications. Built before 1718, it was adopted by Baron Testaferrata.

Mother of the Divine Saviour Seminary Chapel

This seminary was built in 1954 as the 'Mater Admirabilis' teacher training college for females. It became a seminary in 1977 when education became a University faculty and the college was vacated. The Chapel kept its dedication.  Another smaller chapel in the Seminary itself.

Mary mother of the church 

A chapel of this dedication can be found in the Depiro Youth Centre run by the Missionary Society of St.Paul.

Nativity of Our Lady ta' Callus

This rural church was situated at Wied ir-Rum, within the Grand Master's estates. In 1636 it had ceased to function as a place of worship.

Nativity of Our Lady ta' Campria

In the 1615 pastoral visit, a church of this dedication was mentioned. No other reference to it results from any other records.

Nativity of Our Lady ta' Djar iz-Zara

Reported existing in 1780 by A Ferres in his 1866 account of the churches on our islands.

Nativity of Our Lady tas-Sebbech; ta' Helu; ta' Gebel Sarno

This old church, included in Dusina's report of 1575, stood in the estates of Camillo Cumbo and was endowed with an ecclesiastical living. Its altarpiece also included the coat of arms of Gio Maria Cassia. The church was closed to worship in 1656.

Nativity of Our Lady Wied ir-Rum

This church is very probably the one mentioned in 1575 then forming part of Matthew Falson's estates. This property, in 1615 belonged to the Assembly of the Conventual Chaplains. In 1636 its altarpiece was transferred to Dingli's church after it was closed to public worship.

Nativity of Our Lady ta' Giezu

The Franciscan Friars Minor came to Malta in 1492 and opened their first friary in Rabat. Grand Master L'Isle Adam had a room reserved for him in the friary. The church was built in 1500 and enlarged in 1757 through contributions from Italy, Spain and Portugal. Marriages may be celebrated in the church. Its dedication was on the 31st Oct 1790.
Also a Chapel by the side of the church.

Nativity of Our Lady Mtahleb

Dominating the valley at 'Monte Calibo', a church was built in the estates of Gio.Vincenzo Castelletti who endowed it with an ecclesiastical living in 1607. The present building went up in 1687. In the 1950's it was enlarged into its cruciform shape and the dome and belfry added. Marriages may be celebrated in it.

Nativity of Our Lady ta' Casha

At Gheriexem, Vincenzo Casha, founded this church before 1575. It was rebuilt sometime before 1636 and was held in great veneration by the Rabat people. Various votive offerings testified its popular devotion. After its rebuilding, a new altar piece was commissioned for this church by Dr Ignazio Bonnici. A cemetery adjoins this church.

Nativity of Our Lady Tas-Salib

This church was built at Fiddien in 1550 and after a while remained closed for many years. Gregorio Xerri, who together with his wife founded an ecclesiastical living there, rebuilt it before 1615. Nowadays it is used for prayer meetings.

Nativity of Our Lady & St.Nicholas Tax-Xerri Buskett

This small chapel has one altar and was used just for Catechism classes. For a while it lay in a sorry state, harbouring all sorts of junk inside. The bell and titular picture of this church were held at the St Luke's centre at Nigret. Nowadays it is refurbished and used for Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Our Lady of Carmel Oratory

Behind St Paul's collegiate church there is an oratory dedicated to Our Lady of Carmel.

Our Lady of Hope tal-iSperanza

The earliest known church which had such a title stood at Rabat near the one dedicated to St Cataldus. A flight of steps led to this partially troglodytic church. Its titular picture was the Nativity of Our Lady and was included among the churches visited by Mgr Dusina in 1575. Its liturgical life came to an end in 1656, when it was closed to public worship. A stone cross on a column placed in 1714 indicated the site once occupied by this church.

Our Lady of the Rosary

The oratory of the fraternity of Our Lady of the Rosary was founded in the Dominican Church of Rabat in 1578. The image of Our Lady of the Cave which in May 1999 had blood drops appearing on her cheeks is kept there. This image emerges in procession while the crowned image remains in its niche in the cave. 

Purification of Our Lady ta' Xewxa

It was built by the family Calava' around 1550 at Dejr is-Saf. In 1575, the family of Gioanello Calava' celebrated its feast. This church, situated at the very end of the Bishop's estate on the way to Dingli, was provided with an ecclesiastical living by Euzonia Faison Calava' recorded by Notary Mario Mallia on the 27th August 1591. Already an old structure in 1636, this church was rebuilt in the 17th century and remained functioning throughout the 18th century. Only some ruins remain nowadays.

Sacred Heart of Jesus
A small chapel in the Seminary of Tal-Virtu.

Sacred Heart of Jesus
A private chapel in a palazzo which property was on sale by Sotheby's a few years ago. 
On the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Archbishop Mauro Caruana used to say Mass here.

St.Agatha

The first church was built in 1504 over an ancient crypt leading to a series of catacombs with ancient frescos. It was enlarged in 1670. During the 1900's it was given to the Missionary Society of St.Paul soon after Mgr. Depiro founded the society. In 1912 the belfry was added and in 1932 the Society started building a Motherhouse adjacent to the church.

St Agnes

Reported existing in 1780 on A Ferres’ 1866 list.

St.Anthony Abbot Verdala Palace Buskett

This church was built in 1663 by Grand Master Nicola Cotoner beside the palace. In 1975 the church was closed to the people of the locality, but was re-opened for their benefit in 1986. The Augustinian friars of Rabat take care of the church. There is a beautiful Mattia Preti painting inside.

St.Augustine Chapel

St.Bartholomew

The first church on this site was built in 1440 by Costantin Bartolo and restored in 1550. In this church in 1798 Notary Manuel Vitale organized the uprising against the French. Though during WWII it was deconsecrated, nowadays it is open again and used for Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

St.Cataldus San Katald

The present church is one rebuilt in 1739 and is over a crypt and a small catacomb. Nowadays Masses are occasionally celebrated in it. There is a beautiful Favray painting inside.

St.Catherine tad-dahla

This church was built about 1550 and restored in 1639. Marriages may be celebrated in it.

St.Dominic & The Blessed Virgin

The Dominican friars came to Malta in 1450 and built their first friary and church in 1675 over a cave used as a church since the 11th century. According to tradition the Virgin Mary had spoken to a hunter who had taken refuge there. Marriages may be celebrated in the church.

St.Francis Stigmatized

The Conventual Franciscans came to Malta before 1347 and built their church and friary near the hospital of St.Francis, which later on came to be known as Santo Spirito hospital. Before the Hospital was built, the church itself served as a hospital for some time with four beds taking two patients in each bed (common in medieval times). In 1640 the friary was rebuilt. Later on in 1701, the church was also rebuilt on Lorenzo Gafa’s plans after being damaged by the 1693 earthquake. In this church a devotion to Our Lady of Good Health continued to develop even after a new painting of the Virgin took the place of the older one. People visiting their sick relatives at the Santo Spirito Hospital and at the Saura hospital used to visit the church to pray the Virgin requesting intercession for their sick relatives. Marriages may be celebrated in the church. The dedication date is the 22nd Sept 1908.

St.George

Around Saqqajja, there used to exist a chapel of St.George according to Bishop Dusina's report in 1575

St.Joseph

The St.Joseph Oratory is adjacent to the Nativity of Our Lady 'ta' Giezu' and belongs to the confraternity of St. Joseph.

St.Joseph

Chapel in the monastery of the nuns of St. Joseph.

St.Lucy & St.Nicholas Buskett

Originally two churches, hence the dual dedication, the chapel was rebuilt around 1700. It is situated on Verdala hill right behind Buskett's Verdala Palace. 

St.Luke Pastoral Centre Nigret

Due to the increased population in the Nigret locality, the need of a new church was felt; until this church is built a pastoral centre is in use.

St.Mark

The Augustinians came to Malta in 1383 and built their first friary outside the walls of Mdina. It was demolished in 1551 for safety during Turkish attacks on Mdina. In 1555 the Cathedral Chapter gave the friars the church of St.Mark and the area adjacent to it to build their new friary. The present church and the friary are built on the plans of Glormu Cassar dating from 1558. Every 16th January since the time of the Knights, the blessing of animals takes place outside this church dedicated on the 26th June 1906. Marriages may be celebrated in the church. 

St.Martin of Tours Bahrija

This church was built by Count Navarra in the 16th century. In 1615 it was closed to public worship but in 1643, after a new benefactor was found, it was reopened. By 1684 the church was rebuilt into the existing edifice. Every year since the time of the Knights, a feast full of folklore is held in and around this church.

St.Martin of Tours Bahrija New church

From around the 1960's, the need was felt for a larger church to accommodate the increasing population so fundraising was started. In 1984 the larger modern church was ready. Marriages may be celebrated in the church.

St Michael (Tas-sincier) 

Siculo-Norman in structure in the small district of Gnien is-Sultan, it is the oldest church in Rabat and is dedicated to St.Michael with the unusual title Tas-Sincier corrupted to 'San Cir'. For a long while it was used for storing manure but a few years ago it was cleaned up as a Heritage building. It had a mural in its apse showing Christ blessing the congregation. A drawing of this church was used on a set of Maltese stamps showing old wayside Chapels. The problem is that nowadays it has been left to decay and it has to be restored anew.

St.Nicholas / Virgin of the rosary (2 chapels)

This is a late 17th century building whose architect is Lorenzo Gafa’. This building derives its name from a Maltese medical doctor by the name of Nicolo’ Saura, who in 1654, bequeathed everything he had to the building of hospital. Gafa’ was contracted to build the complex. Later on in the years it was enlarged. One can notice the very long facade and its austere appearance. In the 17th century, segregation of the sexes was in full force. There are two chapels, one dedicated to St Nicholas for the men and the other chapel dedicated to the Virgin of the Rosary for the females. The hospital had an abundance of natural light. Built on a ballet, it also enjoyed beautiful views and fresh air. Today it is the residence of the elderly.

St.Publius

Juan Benaguas who came to Malta in 1630 built the first church over St.Paul's grotto. The church became a collegiate church of the Order of St.John from 1620, and was rebuilt in 1713. In 1962 the church was annexed to the church of St.Paul. 

St.Sebastian

The church was first built in 1477, rebuilt in 1519 and restored in 1751. Nowadays the sisters of Charity take care of it and marriages may be celebrated there.

Visitation

This church stood within the estates of Dr Antonio Cassar and was built by Pietro Paolo Bonello. In 1656, it was closed to public worship, and in 1667 Bishop Buenos decreed its demolition.