Mellieħa

Religious Sites

Mellieħa’s religious landscape features a diverse collection of spiritual sites, from the ancient Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa, a national shrine housing a 13th-century fresco, to the modernist Manikata Church designed by Richard England. The hilltop Parish Church, built from local limestone, dominates the skyline, while smaller structures like the 17th-century Immaculate Conception Chapel at L-Aħrax and the contemporary St. Joseph Church in Xemxija offer insight into the region's architectural evolution.

Mellieha Parish Church

Built between 1883 and 1930, this monumental Baroque-style church is dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady. Constructed from local globigerina limestone, it occupies a prominent hilltop position overlooking the village and bay.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha

A national shrine and cave church dating back to the medieval period. It features a historic fresco of the Virgin Mary, traditionally attributed to St. Luke, and was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1990.

Manikata Church

Designed by architect Richard England in the 1960s, this modernist structure is inspired by the 'girna', a traditional corbelled stone hut. It represents a significant departure from conventional Maltese ecclesiastical architecture.

Immaculate Conception Chapel

A small 17th-century chapel located at L-Aħrax point. Built around 1644, it historically served the spiritual needs of local farmers and the garrison stationed at the nearby coastal batteries.

Ċimiterju Sultana tal-Vittorji Mellieħa

A traditional Christian cemetery located on the slopes near the town center, featuring ornate family vaults and monuments characteristic of Maltese funerary architecture.

St. Joseph Church Xemxija

A modern place of worship serving the coastal community of Xemxija. The church features contemporary design elements and overlooks the northern side of St. Paul's Bay.