📍 Location
Location Map Coordinates 35.900332, 14.446408
Historical Background
The Kappella ta’ Santa Marija ta’ Duna, or Our Lady of the Dune Chapel, is one of Lija’s oldest surviving rural chapels. It was most likely constructed around the mid‑17th century, circa 1650, during a period of growing Marian devotion across rural Malta. The term “ta’ Duna” refers to its location on slightly elevated ground (“dune”) overlooking the fields that once surrounded the village.
The chapel stands just 20 metres from Kappella ta’ Sant’Andrija, the Chapel of St Andrew — together they form a pair of devotional chapels that have served the farming community for centuries.
Construction and Architecture
Built from locally quarried globigerina limestone, Santa Marija ta’ Duna displays simple yet elegant Baroque features typical of the era. The chapel’s façade includes a rounded doorway with an arched pediment, a small belfry crowning the roofline, and a single rectangular window that illuminates the tiny nave within.
The interior consists of a stone altar dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, framed by carved mouldings and decorated with devotional paintings. A small sacristy attached to the rear once housed liturgical objects for feast‑day processions.
Restoration and Conservation
Neglect in the early 20th century led to structural deterioration, prompting a conservation initiative by the Lija Parish Council in 1986. The roof and façade were repaired, eroded stone blocks replaced, and the belfry bell restored. Additional minor restoration works took place in 2012 under Malta’s Restoration Directorate, ensuring the chapel remains stable and visitable.
Religious and Cultural Role
Santa Marija ta’ Duna historically played a central part in the rural feast dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary celebrated on 15 August. It provided spiritual services for local farmers and served as a gathering point for seasonal blessings of agricultural produce.
Today, it stands quietly amid modern developments, preserving a link to Lija’s pastoral origins and its enduring Marian traditions. Its close proximity to Sant’Andrija Chapel makes it an accessible and atmospheric heritage site for visitors exploring the area’s religious history.
Location
The chapel is situated at coordinates 35.900332, 14.446408 on the rural edge of Lija, a short walk from the village centre and only 20 metres from Kappella ta’ Sant’Andrija.