It has been 300 years since Naxxar’s famous Maria Bambina Titular Statue first arrived and a special book has been launched to celebrate the occasion.

Written by Clifford Galea, the souvenir book includes photos and information about the statue since its arrival from Rome in 1726.

Back then, Naxxar was a much vaster parish, covering Għargħur, Mosta, St Paul's Bay and Mellieħa

Researcher Victor Zammit said the parish’s oldest records of the statue date back from pastoral visits.

Records show that it underwent some adjustments over the years. A halo was added to the statue in 1894, and a golden crown a year late. In 1924, it was given a new silver halo.

Clifford Galea thanked Mark Micallef Perconte for his professional photography, and Archpriest Fr David Gauci, Andrew Borg, and sacristan Godwin Gauci for their help with the book, which is available for purchase from the Naxxar parish church.