Culture
Did you know? A 16th century legend is tied to this lesser-known Gharghur chapel
The chapel can be found on Triq il-Madliena.

Benjamin Abela

With a church, chapel, or cathedral for almost every single day of the year, Malta’s home to some impeccable religious architecture.

Although not nearly as popular as some of the islands’ most iconic churches, Gharghur’s delicately quaint Santa Marija Taz-Zellieqa chapel is unique for a very different reason.

Knisja tal-Assunta maghrufa "taz-Zellieqa" f'Hal Gharghur http://www.kappellimaltin.com/Il-Kappelli/Sett04/GHR_SM_Zellieqa/ghr_sm_zellieqa.html

Posted by Roderick Busuttil on Monday, January 6, 2020

Before this chapel was constructed, a smaller one occupied its space.

Legend has it that, one day in 1560, that is, before the Santa Marija Taz-Zellieqa chapel (as we know it) was constructed, Holy Mary appeared to a young woman at this very spot and went on to heal her from a nasty illness.

After this, the girl and her family went on to build the Santa Marija Taz-Zellieqa chapel to give thanks to Holy Mary.

Posted by Roderick Busuttil on Thursday, October 27, 2022

Facebook user Roderick Busuttil spoke about this very same matter in Facebook group Kappelli Maltin.

He noted how the story of the apparition was repeated by Monsignor Pietru Dusina in his report about his pastoral visit to Gharghur in 1575.

“Dusina wrote that the woman [who was healed] was still alive when he visited Gharghur, although he did not write down her name or the exact date when the apparition took place,” Roderick added.

Have you ever visited this chapel?

Roderick Busuttil / Facebook, Roderick Busuttil / Facebook

4th November 2023


Benjamin  Abela
Written by
Benjamin Abela
Benjamin is a Writer at Content House Group. With his background in journalism, marketing, and the arts, Benjamin enjoys finding the human aspect to any story he gets a hold of. When he's not too busy writing his next article, you could probably find him playing with his cats or performing on a stage.

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