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Malta

Chapel of Our Lady of Damascus (Tal-Griegi), Birgu

Discover
Places to see
Malta

Chapel of Our Lady of Damascus (Tal-Griegi), Birgu

Highlight • Religious Site

Chapel of Our Lady of Damascus (Tal-Griegi), Birgu

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    Best Hikes to Chapel of Our Lady of Damascus (Tal-Griegi), Birgu

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    1. St. Lawrence's Church, Vittoriosa – Malta Maritime Museum loop from Cospicua

    8.41km

    02:17

    120m

    120m

    Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Intermediate

    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Easy

    Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Intermediate

    Tips

    June 19, 2023

    The name of the chapel was changed in 1575.

    Translated by Google •

      November 8, 2022

      The Chapel of Our Lady of Damascus also known in Maltese as Tal-Griegi is a former Greek Catholic church located in the town of Birgu, Malta. Nowadays it is part of the Oratory of St Joseph.

      Originally the chapel was used for Roman Catholic services and was dedicated to St Catherine of Alexandria. The arrival of the Greek population from the island of Rhodes in 1522 brought a need for new places of worship. The Greeks came with the Knights upon expulsion from Rhodes. They settles in Birgu. With agreement from the Bishop of Malta, the chapel of St Catherine, together with the chapels of St George and the Visitation, respectively, were given to the Greeks for their own use of divine services according to the Byzantine tradition. The name of the chapel was changed in 1575 when inquisitor Pietro Dusina officially established the chapel of St Catherine as one of the parish churches of the Greek population of Birgu. The name comes from the icon of Our Lady of Damascus which was brought from Rhodes and put in the chapel as the titular instead that of St Catherine. Nowadays the original icon is found in the Greek Catholic church of Our Lady in Valletta where it was moved in 1587.

      The chapel continued to be used by the Greek population until 1780. On February 24, 1832 the chapel was bought by the fraternity of St Joseph who adjoined the chapel to their own adjacent oratory church dedicated to St Joseph. However, the chapel was conserved in its original state, with the original altar and icon, the latter was commissioned to replace the original icon which wa transferred to Valletta.

      Nowadays the chapel is no longer used for religious services but is part of the parish museum.

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        Elevation 20 m

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