Church of the Flight into Egypt: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox church |
{{Infobox church |
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| name = Church of the Flight into Egypt |
| name = Church of the Flight into Egypt |
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Revision as of 16:02, 25 January 2015
| Church of the Flight into Egypt | |
|---|---|
Knisja tal-Ħarba lejn l-Eġittu | |
 | |
  Church of the Flight into Egypt | |
| Location | Floriana |
| Country | Malta |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Founder(s) | Manuel Pinto da Fonseca |
| Dedication | Flight into Egypt |
| Dedicated | 1752 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Church |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Baroque |
| Completed | 1752 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of domes | 1 |
| Number of spires | 2 |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Malta |
| Clergy | |
| Rector | Paul Attard |
The Church of the Flight into Egypt is a Roman Catholic church located in the Valletta Waterfront in Floriana, Malta.
History
This church is the only one in the country dedicated to the Flight into Egypt. The chapel was built under the reign of Grand Master Manuel Pinto da Fonseca in the 1750s It was used by departing and arriving sailors.[1] The designs for this baroque chapel were done by local Maltese architect Andrea Belli. Even though the church is small, the architect made sure to include all characteristics that a bigger church would have such as two bell towers and copula. An inscription above the door reads Aeterna Patris Figlio Matri Semper Vergini, Nec Non Putativo Patris In Aegypto Tutatis in Humilimae Servitutis Titulum. MDCCLII showing the year 1752, the year the church was dedicated. Above the inscription there is the coat of arms of Grand Master Pinto adorned by an imperial crown. The church which was extensively damaged during an air raid on the 16th January 1941, but it was restored in 1989.[2] The chapel was inaugurated on July 28, 2006 as part of the Valletta Waterfront project.[3]
Interior
The titular painting above the high altar depicts the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt. The painting depicts the Virgin Mary, with baby Jesus in her hands, resting under the shade of a palm tree, while on their way to Egypt. St Joseph is portrayed pulling his donkey to have some shade while some angels are shown looking over the Holy Family. The interior walls are richly decorated with sculptures, making the church a rich example of baroque architecture.[4]
References
- ^ Zammit, Vince & Agius, Miriam. "The Chapel of TAL-ĦARBA", Malta. Retrieved on 25 January 2015.
- ^ "Flight to Egypt". Retrieved on 25 January 2015.
- ^ "Valletta Waterfront Chapel to become spiritual and cultural oasis", The Malta Independent, Malta, 21 July 2006. Retrieved on 25 January 2015.
- ^ Ciantar, Noel. "Il-kappella tal-Ħarba lejn l-Eġittu - Valletta Waterfront - ", Kappelli Maltin, Malta. Retrieved on 25 January 2015.