Beneath the streets of Rabat lies a place where Malta’s medieval religious history meets a tradition of devotion that has continued for centuries.

Hidden beneath the Dominican Priory of Our Lady of the Grotto, known locally as Il-Madonna tal-Għar, is an ancient grotto that became one of the earliest Dominican centres in Malta.

The story dates back to around 1450, when the Dominicans arrived in Malta from Sicily and settled in the area surrounding the grotto. According to tradition, the cave was associated with an apparition of the Virgin Mary to a hunter, giving the site a special spiritual significance.

A small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Grotto was built between 1457 and 1459, marking an important moment in the development of the site as a place of worship. Just a few years later, on 15 March 1462, Malta’s governing council formally requested that the church of Santa Maria tal-Għar be entrusted to the Dominican Order.

Over time, the grotto developed into a sanctuary and an important centre of Marian devotion, drawing generations of worshippers to the sacred site.

One of the most significant moments in its more recent history came in 1957, when the revered alabaster image of Our Lady of the Grotto was solemnly crowned in the presence of a huge crowd.

What makes the site particularly fascinating is that its religious story did not begin with the construction of the priory. Instead, the Dominican foundation grew around an already-venerated cave, preserving a connection between Malta’s medieval past and a living tradition of faith.

Today, the grotto and its surrounding complex offer a glimpse into a lesser-known chapter of Rabat’s history, where centuries-old architecture, religious traditions and local devotion remain closely intertwined.

Have you ever visited this chapel?