The Church of Saint Mary was built in 1692 on the site of an older church to serve the spiritual needs of the community in the upper part of Żejtun, known as Ta’ Bisbut. Its design is based on a simple medieval rectangular floor plan.
Medieval Simplicity and Vernacular Devotion
This historic chapel stands out for its simple and austere architecture, characteristic of Malta’s rural religious structures. Its façade, stripped of elaborate ornamentation, features a central doorway with a semicircular arch and a large upper window that serves as the main source of light for the high altar. The design is completed with a pitched roof, evoking ancient medieval chapels, and a small central bell tower housing a single bell. The ensemble is preceded by an elevated parvis, surrounded by a staircase that provides access to the church.
Inside, the chapel reveals traditional construction details, such as a roof made of stone slabs (xorokresting on four arches with subtle carved decorations at their bases. The space includes a sacristy located behind the main altarpiece, accessible through two simple doors, as well as an additional side entrance. Historically, the chapel also housed an altar dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, reinforcing its Marian character.
The titular painting of the Assumption of the Virgin, a 17th-century Baroque work, is a unique piece likely created by a local artist. Unlike traditional representations, this painting omits the twelve apostles, focusing exclusively on Mary being lifted to heaven by angels over a landscape that shows her empty tomb. Thanks to co-financing by the European Union, structural and conservation interventions have been carried out to mitigate deterioration caused by weathering and pollution, ensuring the preservation of this cornerstone of community faith.
