During World War II, Malta was officially the most bombed country on Earth. The islands were subject to constant air raids from the Axis, leading to many lives lost and a lot of destruction.

One of the many landmarks that were lost was the original Kalkara Parish Church dedicated to St Joseph.

On the 10th of April, 1942, exactly 82 years ago, the church was hit with a bomb that left this once beautiful church completely destroyed.

The first parish of Kalkara started being built in 1890, before it became a parish in 1897. It was home to two St Jospeh statues made by Etienne Puccini in 1897 and Wistin Camilleri in 1921 all of which were lost during the war. The church was in possession of a variety of different paintings including a titular painting by the genius that was Giuseppe Cali, which were thankfully saved after they were stored away in Gozo.

By 1944, new plans were already being made for the new parish church that we know of today. The new neo-classical church was designed Chev. Vincenzo Bonello and Guze D’Amato. It was built in a new location and the first stone was blessed in 1946. Many of the Kalkara residents all played a part in rebuilding what they had so tragically lost.

Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara/Visit Kalkara