An extensive restoration programme for the city of Valletta has been going on for several years now. This project – the restoration of the Church of Our Lady of Victory has been undertaken by Din l-Art Helwa, a non-governmental, not-for-profit voluntary organisation founded in 1965 to safeguard the historic, artistic and natural heritage of Malta.
The church of Our Lady of Victory was the first church built in Valletta. It was built on the spot where a religious ceremony was held to inaugurate the laying of the foundation stone of the new city on 28th March 1566, and commemorates the victory over the Turks during the Great Siege of 1565. The church had suffered a lot of deterioration over the years, both to its structure and to the paintings.
Grand Master La Valette (the hero of the Great Siege) was originally buried here, and his remains were later transferred to St John’s Co-Cathedral. In 1617 it became the Parish Church of the Order.
The bust above the main entrance of the church is of Innocent XII who was Pope of the Roman Catholic Church between 1691 and 1700. He served some time in Malta as Inquisitor. An interesting fact about him is that he was the last pope to have a beard.
Than you very much for looking and for your interesting comments on yesterday's picture.
As always Dione, your history lessons are so interesting! How about that- the last pope to have a beard!? I'm glad to see the restoration taking place. It's amazing to me for a place to have such old buildings! So restoration on something built in 1566 is so deserving of the time, energy and expense. Here in the States there are no structures even half the age of this beautiful church!
A beautiful view on the church in a great collage.
In our country most of the restorations a payed,or partly payed, by the government.
Thanks for the fav. It makes my day
In our country most of the restorations a payed,or partly payed, by the government.
Thanks for the fav. It makes my day