Sarria Church

The Church of the Immaculate Conception known also as Sarria Church is a Roman Catholic Rotunda church in Floriana, Malta.

Sarria Church
Church of the Immaculate Conception
Knisja tal-Immakulata Kunċizzjoni (Ta' Sarria)
Sarria Church
35°53′31.0″N 14°30′13.1″E
LocationFloriana
CountryMalta
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
StatusActive
Founder(s)Martin Sarria Navarra
Architecture
Functional statusChurch
Architect(s)Mattia Preti
Lorenzo Gafà
Architectural typeRotunda
Administration
ArchdioceseMalta
Clergy
RectorLino Spiteri

History

The original chapel was built in 1585 with funds provided by the Knight Fra Martin Sarria Navarra.[1] Following the devastation that the plague of 1675–76 brought on the country, Grand Master Nicolas Cotoner built in its place another church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception as a sign of thanksgiving.[2] The church was designed by prominent painter Mattia Preti. It is vital to note that this was the only church designed by Preti. It was built under the direction of architect Lorenzo Gafà.

The Sarria Church served as a temporary parish church for Floriana from 1942 to 1944, after the St. Publius Parish Church was damaged by aerial bombardment.[3]

Interior

The most precious possession of this church are the seven large canvases that surround the interior, painted by Mattia Preti. The altarpiece, also by Preti, depicts the Immaculate Conception with angels sheltering their swords after defeating the plague of 1675–76.[4]

See also

References
  1. "Sarria Church". Floriana Local Council. 9 January 2017. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018.
  2. Said, Frans H. (8 October 2011). "Sarria church, Floriana". Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 16 March 2020.
  3. "Storja tal-Parroċċa tagħna". florianaparish.org (in Maltese). Archived from the original on 18 April 2016.
  4. "Floriana". Malta Culture Guide. Archived from the original on 15 July 2015.
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