📍 Location
Location Map Coordinates 35.897104, 14.437723
Historical Background
The Kappella tal‑Mirakli, known in English as the Our Lady of the Miracles Chapel, stands in the heart of Lija, Malta. Built in 1664, the chapel was commissioned following a locally revered miraculous event in which a Marian painting was said to have exuded oil — an occurrence that cemented Lija’s devotion to the Virgin Mary.
Architecture and Design
Constructed in the Baroque style typical of mid‑17th century ecclesiastical design, Tal‑Mirakli features a simple rectangular layout crowned with a small stone belfry and a modest façade. The interior hosts a single altar and the important icon of the Madonna tal‑Mirakli framed in gilded woodwork. The design balances rural simplicity with ornamental harmony, blending faith and Maltese stone craftsmanship.
Reconstruction and Restoration
After over a century of use, the chapel underwent major rebuilding in 1792 under the supervision of the parish council, which added carved stone pilasters and decorative cornices. Conservation work resumed in 1976 to repair structural cracks and restore interior frescoes. A further restoration effort in 2013 preserved façade stonework and reinstated the small bell and wrought‑iron entrance gate.
Religious Significance
The miraculous painting housed within gave this chapel an important role in Lija’s sacred identity. Annual feasts held early in March commemorate the Feast of Our Lady of Miracles (Festa tal‑Mirakli), when the icon is carried in solemn procession. It remains one of Lija’s principal religious observances, reflecting centuries of local Marian devotion.
Location
The chapel is located at coordinates 35.897104, 14.437723 on the western side of Lija’s parish core, a short distance from the Parish Church of the Transfiguration.
Visiting Information
Kappella tal‑Mirakli is occasionally open for daily prayer and public viewing during the feast period. It is freely accessible from the surrounding street and remains under the care of the Lija Parish and Cultural Heritage Committee.
Further Reading
