Overview
Fawwara is known for its spring and countryside setting between Siġġiewi, Rabat and Dingli, with two notable chapels in the area: one dedicated to the Annunciation and another to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The Mount Carmel chapel is famously associated with the Fawwara spring, while the Annunciation chapel is a key heritage stop on walking routes through the valleys and towards the cliffs.
Coordinates: 35.840294, 14.409620
Setting: Fawwara countryside near the western cliff landscape
Nearby: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Chapel (Fawwara), Dingli cliffs viewpoints
On this page
Detailed history
Earlier chapel and change of dedication
Sources describing the Fawwara Annunciation chapel indicate it stands on the site of an earlier rural chapel previously dedicated to the Assumption. By 1618, it is already described as an Annunciation church, pointing to a documented change in dedication before the early-17th-century rebuilding.
Construction in 1619
The chapel is recorded as being built (or rebuilt) in 1619 by Gio. Paolo Cassar. This 1619 phase is the core “confirmed build” date most commonly cited for the chapel’s early modern form.
Pastoral-visit references and status
Pastoral-visit reporting is used to describe the chapel’s liturgical life and obligations, including references to foundations for Mass and its relationship to local parish jurisdiction—useful evidence that the chapel was active rather than purely symbolic.
Rebuilding in 1708
A second major milestone is a documented rebuild in 1708 by Maria Sciberras (Xeberras). This rebuilding is supported by recorded tradition and internal evidence (including commemorative marble noted by Maltese sources).
Confirmed dates & milestones
- The site is described as an Annunciation church (indicating the dedication by this date).
- Chapel built/rebuilt by Gio. Paolo Cassar.
- Pastoral-visit documentation is cited regarding the chapel’s foundations and status.
- Chapel rebuilt by Maria Sciberras (Xeberras).
What to see: architecture & setting
- Simple rural design: the chapel is typically described as modest, reflecting countryside devotional architecture.
- Landscape drama: the bigger “wow” is often the setting—valleys, cliffs, and open sea horizons.
- Filfla viewpoint: visibility depends on haze and weather, but Fawwara’s coastal edge is known for clear sightlines to Filfla.
Use & traditions
The Annunciation dedication naturally ties the chapel’s devotional calendar to 25 March (Annunciation feast), while the broader Fawwara area is visited for countryside walks and heritage stops. Nature and walking groups have also included the Annunciation chapel as a waypoint on longer routes through the area.
Visiting guide
Getting there
Use the coordinates 35.840294, 14.409620 in navigation. The chapel is in the Fawwara countryside near the cliff landscape; roads are rural—drive carefully and respect any access signage.
Best time to go
- Golden hour: late afternoon for warm limestone tones and sea views.
- Clear days: for the best chance of spotting Filfla.
- After rain: the countryside is lush, but paths can be muddy.
Combine with nearby sites
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Chapel (Fawwara) – the other key chapel in the area.
- Dingli cliffs viewpoints – for sunset panoramas.
FAQ
Is this the Annunciation Chapel near Laferla Cross?
No—this page covers the Annunciation Chapel at Fawwara in the coastal-cliff landscape near the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Chapel. The chapel beside Laferla Cross is a different Annunciation chapel.
When was the Annunciation Chapel (Fawwara) built?
The key confirmed early-modern milestone is 1619 (Gio. Paolo Cassar), with the dedication described as Annunciation by 1618, and a later rebuild in 1708.
Is it open to enter?
Access to rural chapels varies. Plan as if the interior may be closed outside special openings; the surrounding landscape is still worth the visit.