Chances are if you have passed through Bahrija, you came across this tiny chapel dedicated to St Martin, but have you ever gone in and explored its history?

It dates all the way back to 1500’s and the structure we know of today was built by the nobleman Cumbo Navarra, a relative of Cosmana Navarra, Malta's first female patron of the Arts.

The chapel was unfortunately deconsecrated in 1615 but it started being used again later.

In 1762, the chapel’s ecclesiastic immunity was removed, meaning that any wanted criminal could not seek refuge in the chapel and avoid being arrested.

St Martin’s chapel was serving all the families that lived nearby but the priest would come from Rabat to carry out all religious services. Therefore, in 1906 a small number of rooms were built next to the chapel as a means of accommodation for the priest.

In 1998, the chapel was listed as a Grade 1 Building by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the area was also deemed to be an Area of Archaeological Importance.

Interiorly, the chapel only has one painting, dating back to 1735 an is the work of Maltese artist, Francesco Zahra. It depicts Martin of Tours, St James the Greater and St Philip Neri.