The design of the current Church of the Annunciation (Il-Lunzjatais attributed to architect Edwin England Sant Fournier, with its total reconstruction completed in 1954Located on Main Street (Triq il-Kbira) in the historic city of Birgu, this church is the seat of the Dominican Order in the area. The original temple, a landmark of the city's golden age, was completed in 1575 and stood as one of the most important religious sites during the Knights' stay in Birgu. However, it was almost entirely destroyed by heavy aerial bombings during World War II in 1941.
Rebirth of the Dominicans: Church of the Annunciation
The Church of the Annunciation is a monument to unwavering faith and Malta's national reconstruction. For centuries, the adjacent Dominican priory was a center of learning and spirituality that rivaled the institutions of Valletta. The loss of the 1575 building during the war was a devastating blow to Birgu’s identity, but the community managed to erect a new temple in record time after the conflict. Its current architecture, while more modern and sober than the original Baroque style, respects the monumental proportions and blends perfectly into the limestone landscape of the Three Cities.
The interior of the church is noted for its spaciousness, luminosity, and its imposing dome, one of the largest and most visible in the Grand Harbour. The centerpiece is the high altar, which reclaimed the solemnity of the ancient temple and is dedicated to the mystery of the Incarnation. Despite the wartime destruction, important artworks and relics were salvaged and are now exhibited in the temple and its small annexed museum. The interior decoration combines mid-20th-century design elegance with Dominican liturgical tradition, creating a prayer space that feels both historical and renewed.
Beyond its architectural value, the church is the heart of one of Malta’s most passionate festivities: the feast of Saint Dominic, celebrated in August with a historic and festive rivalry against the parish of Saint Lawrence. The church has been a refuge for the community in its darkest moments and today stands as a beacon of hope and local pride. Consecrated as a sanctuary of peace following the destruction of war, the Church of the Annunciation is a mandatory stop to understand modern Birgu and its ability to heal the wounds of the past through art and devotion.
