Churches of Malta - The Sanctuary of Our Lady in Mellieha
According to records this is the oldest sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady. This sanctuary has always been popular with locals and foreigners alike. This could be due to the fact that according to tradition the apostles Paul and Luke had visited this sanctuary. Moreover, the picture of Our Lady is the oldest painted Madonna that still survives.
In 871AD the Arabs attacked the Island of Malta. During the Arab Rule many people suffered because of their religion. This church was not closed during the Arab Rule and many people could probably come here to pray. When Roger the Norman came to Malta in 1090, everything was quickly changed. One could now practise one's religion in the open. It was not only the Maltese, who visited this sanctuary, even the King of Sicily came here. Later the Knights of the Order of St John visited this sanctuary regularly. In 1857 Bishop Gargallo ordered two monks to paint the Madonna once again as the picture was in a very poor condition and this is how the original painting was discovered. In 1614 the Turks came up Mellieha Bay. They came to this Sanctuary and tried to destroy the icon. The statues and the icon were badly damaged. Immediately many pilgrims came here to pray. The shrine was once more re-painted. The main altar was decorated with sculptures and columns and the icon was covered in a coating of silver. The main door was later erected by a group of pilgrims. On top of the main door the following was put up: 'In You our fathers had put their trust and You delivered them'.
In the 19th century the chapel was enlarged. In 1973 during the restoration of the icon the original authentic effigy of the Madonna with a child was unexpectedly discovered. The icon has beautiful light color and dominates the whole church. The icon in this Shrine has long been worshipped. The pictures in the sacristy narrate the long history of marvelous graces obtained.
