Knisja ta’ San Publiju
(St Publius Parish Church) — Floriana, Malta

At a glance

Dedication

Saint Publius (San Publiju).

Type

Roman Catholic parish church (Floriana Parish Church).

Key starting date

First stone laid 2 August 1733.

Major early completion

Main early phase completed and relic of St Publius brought to the church in January 1768.

Consecration

Consecrated 20 March 1792.

Parish status

Became a parish in March 1844 (decree by Pope Gregory XVI, per historical summaries).

WWII damage

Façade and dome badly damaged by bombing in March–April 1942, with reported casualties.

Reopening / reconstruction

Reopened 10 December 1944; reconstruction continued into the late 1950s.

Recent façade restoration (announced)

Façade restoration and new lighting system announced in April 2024.

History & key dates

The Church of St Publius became the spiritual centre of Floriana as the suburb grew beyond Valletta. Historical summaries record that the first stone was laid in 1733, and the church was expanded in stages across the 18th and 19th centuries, later suffering major WWII damage before being reconstructed and completed through the post-war decades.

Chronology

• 2 Aug 1733 — First stone laid (with the presence of Grand Master Vilhena, per standard accounts).
• 1733–1768 — Early construction phase; church reported complete by January 1768 and a relic of St Publius brought to the church.
• 1771–1792 — Major works include rebuilding the façade beginning 1771 and building the dome in 1780; church consecrated on 20 March 1792.
• 1856–1861 — Naves and an oratory constructed (19th-century enlargements).
• 1884–1892 — New façade and bell towers built in late 19th century phases.
• 3–4 Mar 1942 & 28 Apr 1942 — Bombing hits cause severe damage to the façade and dome; accounts report fatalities.
• 10 Dec 1944 — Church reopens; reconstruction continues into the late 1950s. :
• Early 1990s — Interior works described as being fully completed by this period (per standard summaries).
• Apr 2024 — Façade restoration project and new lighting announced (supported by public tourism/cultural initiatives).

Architecture & notable features

Standard references describe the church as having a neoclassical façade with a portico and pediment, flanked by bell towers, with a cruciform plan and a prominent dome.

Highlights often noted in summaries

• Altarpiece: an 18th-century altarpiece depicting the martyrdom of St Publius (dated 1773 in common references).
• Interior decoration: embellished across the late 19th and 20th centuries, with completion accounts extending into the late 20th century.

Restoration & conservation

In April 2024, Maltese media reported planned restoration of the church façade, including stone conservation and a new lighting system intended to complement events held at the Floriana Granaries.

Visiting & use today

The church is an active parish church in Floriana and a focal point for local religious life, including the feast of St Publius.

Location

Coordinates: 35.892771, 14.505016
Map: Directions

Commonly listed Mass times (always re-check near your visit)

The following schedule is commonly published online and was last modified on the source site in December 2025.

• Mon–Sat: 7:00am, 8:30am, 9:15am, 6:30pm (Maltese)
• Sun: 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:30am, 5:30pm (Maltese)
• Days of Obligation: 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:30am, 5:30pm (Maltese)