Church of Our Lady of Victory (Valletta) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of Our Lady of Victory |
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Knisja tal-Madonna tal-Vitorja
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The church in 2019
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| 35°53′45.6″N 14°30′38.5″E / 35.896000°N 14.510694°E | |
| Location | Valletta, Malta |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 1566 |
| Dedication | Our Lady of Victory |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Church |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Baroque |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Limestone |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Malta |
The Our Lady of Victory Church in Valletta, Malta, is a very special place. It was the very first church and building ever finished in the city! Back in 1566, after a big battle called the Great Siege of Malta, the leader, Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette, wanted to build a church. It was a way to say "thank you" for their victory. He even paid for it himself! This church was first known as the Saint Anthony the Abbot Church.
Contents
Why Was the Church Built?
This church was built to celebrate a huge victory. The Knights of the Order of St John and the Maltese people won against invaders on September 8, 1565. The church stands on the exact spot where a special ceremony took place. This ceremony was for starting the new city of Valletta on March 28, 1566.
Choosing a church as the first building showed how thankful everyone was. The church is dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary. There's a beautiful painting behind the main altar that shows her birth.
Who Paid for It?
Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette paid for the church to be built. He passed away on August 21, 1568. He was first buried in the church's crypt. Later, when St. John's Co-Cathedral was built, his remains were moved there.
Changes Over Time
In 1617, the Order of St John chose this church as their main parish church. It was then dedicated to St Anthony the Abbot. Later, in 1699, Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful ordered the back part of the church, called the apse, to be made bigger.
In 1716, a Maltese artist named Alessio Erardi was asked to paint the ceiling. He painted scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. These paintings took two years to finish. In 1752, the front of the church, the sacristy (a room for priests), the bell tower, and the priest's house were all made larger. The front of the church got a beautiful baroque style. It also has a bronze statue of Pope Innocent XII. In the late 1700s, two more altars were added. They were dedicated to St John the Baptist and St Paul.
Modern History and Restoration
In 1837, the church became the Garrison Church for the Royal Malta Fencible Regiment. This group later became the Royal Malta Artillery. Over the years, the church suffered some damage. This included damage to its structure and paintings. On April 23, 1942, the church ceiling was damaged during an air raid on Valletta. This raid also destroyed the nearby Royal Opera House.
In 1943, on September 8, another important event happened. The Italian fleet surrendered. After this, the church was once again known as 'Our Lady of Victory'.
In 2000, a group called Din l-Art Ħelwa, which protects Malta's heritage, started a restoration project. On September 8, 2011, the Maltese government officially made Din l-Art Ħelwa the guardian of the church. Restoration work is still happening today.
Art Inside the Church
The church is home to many amazing artworks. Above the altar, there are paintings of St Anthony of Egypt and St Anthony of Padua. These paintings were brought to Malta in 1530. This was when Emperor Charles V gave the island to the Knights of St John. The church also has art by Francesco Zahra, Ermenegildo Grech, and Enrico Arnaux.
In 1792, a Venetian admiral named Angelo Emo passed away in Malta. He wanted his heart to be buried in the Lady of Victory church. A monument was built for him in 1802 by a Maltese sculptor named Vincenzo Dimech.
The Church Today
Since 2000, Din l-Art Ħelwa has been working to restore the church. They are working with the Valletta Rehabilitation Project and the Museums Department. They have already restored the roof, decorative parts, and some of the bell tower.
The outside of the church was fully restored by 2002. The inside renovation started in 2004. The church is still being restored to its former glory.
The church building is listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands. This means it is an important historical site. The church is open to everyone for free visits.
See also
- Culture of Malta
- History of Malta
- List of churches in Malta
- Religion in Malta
Images for kids
