Churches of Malta - Visitation of Our Lady Church - Gharb
Gharb is the second oldest village parish in Gozo. It was established a Parish on 29th August 1679 by Bishop Molina and the old church known today as "Taz-Zejt", served as the first parish church for fifty years. The first parish priest was Dun Gann Marija Camilleri from Rabat. This church with its adjacent cemetery was constructed in 1678 on the foundations of an older one.
The present architecturally fabulous Parish Church and Collegiate Basilica situated in today's village square was built in 1699 and was consecrated in 1729. This church is one of the most architecturally perfect in Gozo and its design is based on Francesco Borromini's Sant Agnese in Agone at Piazza Navona in Rome. It was built to replace the older and smaller chapel of "Taz-Zejt". The present Basilica is dedicated to the episode of the Visit of Our Lady to her cousin St. Elisabeth, popularly known as the feast of the Visitation. On 19th May 1774 the church became the second Collegiate of Gozo and was elevated to a minor Basilica on 28th November 1967. The foundation stone of the present church was probably laid in 1669 and it was consecrated on 28th September 1755.
The feast day is on the 31st May of every year and the outside festivities are held on the first weekend of July.
