Sarria Church Explained

Sarria Church
Fullname:Church of the Immaculate Conception
Native Name:Knisja tal-Immakulata Kunċizzjoni (Ta' Sarria)
Pushpin Map:Malta
Coordinates:35.8919°N 14.5036°W
Founder:Martin Sarria Navarra
Status:Active
Functional Status:Church
Architect:Mattia Preti
Lorenzo Gafà
Architectural Type:Rotunda
Rector:Lino Spiteri

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

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

Notes and References

  1. News: Sarria Church . Floriana Local Council . 9 January 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181005195734/http://www.florianalocalcouncil.com/2017/01/09/sarria-church/ . 5 October 2018.
  2. News: Said . Frans H. . Sarria church, Floriana . . 8 October 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200316211847/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/Sarria-church-Floriana.388217 . 16 March 2020.
  3. Web site: Storja tal-Parroċċa tagħna. florianaparish.org. https://web.archive.org/web/20160418200853/http://florianaparish.org/storja.htm. 18 April 2016. Maltese.
  4. Web site: Floriana . Malta Culture Guide . https://web.archive.org/web/20150715231432/http://www.maltacultureguide.com/index.php?page=article&article_id=51 . 15 July 2015.