Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa

What makes it special

The sanctuary is Malta's oldest Marian shrine, built of limestone on the site of a cave that tradition links to the start of Christianity on the island.

Inside the church, the icon of the Madonna and Child dominates the whole sanctuary. Its bright colours had been covered over since early in the 17th century, and they came to light by accident during restoration work in 1973.

The second place to see is the grotto, a chapel hewn out of hard, brownish limestone. It keeps a white stone statue of Our Lady with the Baby Jesus.

A legend says the statue was carried up to the sanctuary three times and was found back in the rock-cut chapel each time. It has stayed in the chapel below ever since.

Visiting

Through the 1719 triumphal arch at the courtyard entrance, you cross the courtyard and go into the church to see the restored Madonna and Child.

For the grotto, go back out to the main street. Its entrance stands beside the sanctuary, across the street from the Church of Our Lady of Victory. Pass through an arched doorway and take a flight of steps down to the chapel, below street level.

Back up on the street, the sanctuary has a wide view over the bay and the town.