When was St Michael’s Chapel in Iklin built?

Sources describe an original chapel on the site dating to the 15th century, with the current chapel rebuilt in 1615.

When is St Michael’s feast celebrated at the chapel?

In Iklin, St Michael’s feast is celebrated on the Sunday before 29 September, and the chapel is typically opened once a year for this occasion.

Is the chapel open regularly?

The chapel is commonly described as opening once a year for the feast, rather than operating as a daily-visit site.

St Michael’s Chapel (San Mikiel Arkanġlu), Iklin, Malta

Overview

Iklin is a modern locality, but it preserves older heritage in the landscape—most notably this small chapel dedicated to St Michael the Archangel. References describing Iklin’s “Old Chapel” section state that a St Michael chapel existed here in the 15th century, was visited in 1575 and found in poor condition, and was then rebuilt in 1615.

Location & coordinates

Coordinates: 35.906831, 14.450106
Locality: Iklin, Malta
Setting: countryside / valley-side approach (take care around access restrictions in the area)

Respect & safety: This is a small rural chapel, sometimes near restricted areas. Follow on-site signage, avoid entering private land, and never interfere with stonework or vegetation.

Key dates

15th century — an earlier St Michael chapel is described as being built on the site.
1575 — Pietro Dusina’s apostolic visit describes the chapel as being in a poor state.
1615 — the chapel is described as rebuilt (often attributed to Gilormu Agius).
Sunday before 29 September — St Michael feast celebration timing linked to the chapel; it is commonly described as opening once a year for this feast.

St Michael’s Chapel (San Mikiel Arkanġlu), Iklin

History & context

The chapel is frequently presented as evidence of earlier settlement in an otherwise modern locality. The 1575 visitation note (poor condition) and later rebuilding in 1615 suggest a pattern found across Malta: small rural chapels serving scattered communities, then periodically repaired or rebuilt as devotion and population shifted.

Construction notes

Descriptions of Iklin’s St Michael chapel emphasise its small scale and rural setting, typical of Maltese wayside chapels. If you have photographs, you can strengthen this section by adding: façade details, any bell-cot/belfry remnants, interior altar details, and any inscriptions or masonry joints that indicate phases of work.

Restoration & conservation

Publicly available sources emphasise the 1615 rebuild rather than modern restoration campaigns.

Current use

The chapel is commonly described as opening once a year for the feast of St Michael, celebrated on the Sunday before 29 September. A local news report highlights the celebration at Iklin’s small chapel.

Visiting tips

Best paired with a countryside walk—bring water and sun protection.
After rain, limestone can be slippery—wear grippy footwear.
Do not force entry if the chapel is closed; plan around feast-day opening where possible.

FAQ

What’s the easiest way to navigate here?: Use the coordinates 35.906831, 14.450106 in your map app.
When is it most likely to be open?: It’s commonly described as opening once a year for the St Michael feast (Sunday before 29 September).