Basilica of the Nativity of Mary, Senglea

For other uses of "Our Lady of Victories", see Our Lady of Victory (disambiguation).
Basilica of the Nativity of Mary
The Basilica and Collegiate Parish Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Bażilika u Kolleġġjata tal-Madonna tal-Vitorja

The Basilica
Basilica of the Nativity of Mary
35°53′8.52″N 14°31′5.16″E / 35.8857000°N 14.5181000°E / 35.8857000; 14.5181000
Location Senglea
Country Malta
Denomination Roman Catholic
History
Founded 1580
Consecrated 15 October 1743
Architecture
Status Active
Functional status Parish Church
Architect(s) Vittorio Cassar
Architectural type Church
Style Baroque
Specifications
Bells seven
Administration
Parish Senglea
Archdiocese Archdiocese of Malta
Clergy
Archpriest Robin Camilleri

TheBasilica of the Nativity of Mary or Basilica of Our Lady of Victories is a Roman Catholic parish church located at Senglea, Malta. It is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary.

History

It was most probably built by the architect Vittorio Cassar in 1580 as a monument to the Christian Victory after the Great Siege of 1565.

Interior of the Basilica

Senglea became a parish in 1581, and was consecrated on 20 October 1743. On 21 May 1786, Pope Pius VI declared the church to be a "collegiata insignis" (distinguished collegiate church), while in 1921, Pope Benedict XV honoured the church with the title of Basilica. After the crowning of the statue of the Virgin Mary on 4 September 1921, the church became a sanctuary of the Virgin Mary.[1][2]

The church was destroyed by bombs in 1941, but was rebuilt and consecrated by Archbishop Gonzi on 24 August 1956.

The church building is listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.[3]

Works of art

The main attraction of the basilica, a wooden statue of Mary, known as Il-Bambina, was carved in 1618, painted in 1631 and gilded. The sculptor of this statue is still unknown. After the coronation of the statue of Mary in 1921, the church became a sanctuary. The crown contains diamonds and other precious stones. Around the statue are four silver angels created in 1934. In 1956 another existing marble statue, which was consecrated in 1956 was erected. There are four busts of Pope Benedict XV, Archbishop Mauro Caruana, the symbol of Senglea and the Grand Master La Sengle. The columns show 16 saints who are connected with Maria: Four Evangelists, four popes, four Doctors of the Church and the four founders of Christian orders. Furthermore, the church houses seven bells.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "L-Isla (Senglea)", Archdiocese of Malta, Malta. Retrieved on 24 August 2015.
  2. ↑ "Senglea Parish Church". Retrieved on 24 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "Collegiate Parish Church of the Nativity of the Madonna" (PDF). National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands. 27 August 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2015.

External links

Coordinates: 35°53′09″N 14°31′05″E / 35.8857°N 14.5181°E / 35.8857; 14.5181

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