Our Lady of Victories Church description and photos - Malta: Valletta (Topic)

Our Lady of Victories Church description and photos - Malta: Valletta. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Our Lady of Victories Church.

Photo and description

The Church of Our Lady the Victorious is located just a few meters from the City Gate of Valletta. To see this temple, you need to go through a small square just outside the gate and turn right behind it. The church is located opposite another famous local temple, consecrated in honor of St. Catherine.

According to historical chronicles, the Church of Our Lady of Victory is considered the first temple that appeared in the capital of Malta. Moreover, local guides assure that it was with the construction of this church that the city of Valletta began. Back in 1565, the Grand Master of the Order, Jean Parisot de La Valette, celebrating the victory over the Turkish army, decided to build a small chapel here. The first stone in its foundation was laid in 1566. Under it were subsequently found commemorative medals and a letter for the next generations, which indicates the date of the beginning of the construction of the church. The temple was built by architects Francesco Laparelli and Girolamo Cassar. For a decade, until the construction of St. John's Cathedral, the Church of Our Lady of the Victorious was the main one in the capital. Here the Grand Master La Vallette found his last rest. As you know, then his remains were transferred to the Cathedral of Valletta.

In 1699, during the reign of Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccafula, the apse of the church was enlarged. In 1716, Perellos invited the Maltese artist Alessio Erardi to paint the temple's ceiling. There were depicted scenes from the life of the Most Holy Theotokos. This work was completed two years later. The sacristy was expanded in 1752, bell tower and priest's house. The facade has acquired a magnificent baroque look. A bronze bust of Pope Innocent XII is installed on the facade. In the second half of the 18th century, in addition to the existing altars of St. John the Baptist and St. Paul, two other altars were installed in the church.

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Topic: Our Lady of Victories Church description and photos - Malta: Valletta.