Historic revival! Rabat’s medieval Chapel of Sancir to be restored to its former glory
The chapel is one of the very few medieval chapels left in Malta believed to have been built between 1450 and 1500
In the countryside outskirts between Rabat and Mtarfa lies a little-known medieval chapel that goes by several names, primarily ‘Chapel of St Michael’ or ‘Kappella ta' San Mikiel is-Sancir’, but also known as ‘San Cir’.
The voluntary organisation Din l-Art Helwa took the chapel under its wing earlier this year and has recently acquired funding to execute the required restoration works to bring it back to its former glory.
The Chapel of Sancir is one of the very few medieval chapels left in Malta believed to have been built between 1450 and 1500. Its structure is rather atypical, with angled walls and a pitched roof, with a bare interior and simple design.
Much of what is known about the chapel comes from pastoral reports written between 1575 and 1678. It was deconsecrated by Bishop Molina in 1678 due to its state of disrepair, who instructed that some of its roof slabs should be removed to ensure it remained unused.
Over the centuries it was used as a rustic store, a pigsty, and a cowshed until the beginning of the 20th century, after which it was largely abandoned. Vegetation has grown on the walls and trees have blocked the main entrance of the chapel. Part of the roof near the altar has collapsed, and cracks in the chapel's walls are visible. All in all, the chapel is long overdue for a makeover!
Have you ever come across the Chapel of Sancir?