Where is Kappella ta’ San Blas located?

The chapel stands in the countryside near Siġġiewi on the route toward Rabat/Mdina. Use coordinates 35.866391, 14.416626 for accurate navigation.

When was the chapel built?

Local and published references commonly cite an original foundation in 1430, with the present structure rebuilt in 1691.

Is the chapel still used today?

Yes—Mass is reported as being celebrated monthly (commonly the first Sunday) and the chapel remains under church administration.

Kappella ta’ San Blas (St Blaise’s Chapel), Siġġiewi, Malta

Overview

This small chapel (Maltese: Il-Kappella ta’ San Blas) sits in open countryside and is commonly described as a wayside or roadside chapel. Its position makes it an easy stop on rural walks between Siġġiewi and Rabat/Mdina.

Location & coordinates

Coordinates: 35.866391, 14.416626
Locality: Siġġiewi, Malta (countryside edge, on the route toward Rabat)

Visitor note: Please respect the site—avoid touching artworks, do not scratch or mark the limestone, and keep noise low if services are taking place.

Key dates

1430 — an earlier chapel on this site is commonly cited as being founded in the late medieval period.
1575 — the chapel is notably not listed in Inquisitor Pietro Dusina’s report; sources suggest it may have been ruined or absent by then.
1691 — the chapel is rebuilt in its present form, associated with Canon Antonio Manso; an internal plaque records the reconstruction and names the bishop and Grand Master of the time.

History & context

St Blaise (San Blas) is widely venerated in Catholic tradition. The Siġġiewi chapel is often presented as an example of Malta’s rural devotional landscape—small sanctuaries serving farming communities and travellers. Published references connect the present building to a 1691 reconstruction, while retaining a tradition of a much earlier foundation.

Construction & architectural notes

Descriptions of the chapel commonly mention a simple rectangular plan and an interior articulated by arches supporting the roof. It contains a stone altar and devotional artwork dedicated to St Blaise.

Artwork, restoration & safeguarding

Sources note that the titular painting has been removed for security and is kept at the Cathedral Museum (Mdina), reducing risk of theft or damage. This is a practical form of safeguarding often used for vulnerable rural sites.

Current use (services)

The chapel remains in religious use. Mass is reported as being celebrated monthly (commonly the first Sunday) at 10:00, with a priest available beforehand for confession.

Visiting tips

Best visited as part of a countryside walk—bring water and sun protection.
Be mindful of narrow rural roads and limited parking/turning space.
For photography, early morning or late afternoon gives softer light on limestone.

FAQ

Is the chapel open daily?: Access can vary. Many rural chapels open primarily for scheduled services or special occasions—plan around service times when possible.
What’s the easiest way to navigate here?: Use the coordinates 35.866391, 14.416626 in your map app.