Just in time for the upcoming Victory Day celebrations at Fort St. Angelo next Sunday, the chapel within the fort dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin has been fully restored. The refurbished chapel was officially unveiled in a ceremony held yesterday, held within the walls of Fort St Angelo.

The works included the restoration of the gilded altar, six supporting pillars and the addition of three new artworks by the renowned Gozitan artist Manuel Farrugia. The artworks depict the birth of the Virgin Mary, St John the Baptist, the patron saint of the Order of St John, and St Paul, the patron saint of Malta.

The origin of the chapel is as yet unknown, however the first records mentioning the chapel date all the way back to 1274! Before the British came to Malta, locals enjoyed unrestricted access to the chapel, however this was reduced to one day a year (incidentally, Victory Day) under the rule of the British.

During the Second World War, the chapel was destroyed by a direct strike from enemy fire, to be later restored in 1955. Having needed another makeover since then, the chapel is now restored to its former glory and can be enjoyed by all those who choose to visit on the historically significant celebration of Victory Day this weekend.

Have you ever visited the Chapel of the Nativity of the Virgin?