Church of St. Nicholas of Bari, Siggiewi, Malta
Image Courtesy: Malta-Canada
Isn't this a gorgeous church!
I have to give many thanks to Victor S E Moubarak at, Time For Reflection, for telling me about this church found on the fabulous island nation of Malta. Built in St. Nicholas's honor between 1675 and 1693, it is one of the most beautiful of Baroque buildings in Malta - and that's saying something because Malta is one of those really lovely spots in the world where the works of man didn't destroy the land, but quite possibly, even added to it. This church is in the main town square - Plazza San Nicola - of the village of Siggiewi.
Interior of the Church of St. Nicholas of Bari
Image courtesy: Malta-Canada
On YouTube the bells of this church can be heard ringing while the statue of St. Nicholas in the square can be clearly seen. The statue is by the sculptor, Pietro Mattia, and was completed in 1732. On it's pedestal is an inscription in Latin which asks St. Nicholas to bless the fields which the people laboriously till. That is a beautiful reminder to us of today of what is really important - food, shelter, clothing and the blessing of God!
Siggiewi celebrates its Feast in honor of St. Nicholas of Bari the last week in June; a really fun time for visitors to be there as can be seen in this video. The wooden statue of St. Nicholas, also sculpted by Pietro Mattia (in 1736) is carried in procession around the town on the city's feast day, the last Sunday in June.
This magnificent baroque building was the second church built in honor of St. Nicholas in Siggiewi. The first was built in 1436.
First St. Nicholas of Bari Church in Siggiewi
Image courtesy: Malta-Canada
It is in ruins today and a Heritage Site but few buildings are more lovely. Please visit the various links given to read much more about the two church's history and to experience a little bit of Siggiewi, Malta and its feast day. Many thanks again to Victor Moubarak at Time For Reflection and John Scerri at Malta-Canada.
I would greatly appreciate tips about any churches built in St. Nicholas's honor that any of you might know about in your area of the world. And to all of you who have already given me tips - many thanks! I will publish them all soon!
33 comments:
i swear they keep getting prettier and prettier :)
Hi Ann,
My Honey and I have been to Malta many times aboard Splendour of the Seas. It is one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean and entering via sea is most impressive. I've taken many, many pictures there, but didn't realize that church is named for St. Nicholas.
I still so enjoy your blog.
Best,
Lois
This is stunning and the video and you tube are great. There is a church near where my husband works but I seldom go there see
http://www.berkshirehistory.com/churches/abingdon_stnics.html and
http://www.parishes.oxford.anglican.org/abingdon/stnicolas/stnic2e.htm
Diane
I love the twirly spirally pillar thingees in the final pic--nifty!!
love your blog!! Happy to have found you!!
That has to be one of the most beautiful buildings ever! Stunning! And I would so love to plan a trip to Malta in June to coicide with the St. Nick festival...
GORGEOUS, Ann... I'm so glad that Victor shared this beauty with you --so you could share it with us....
I assume that you have googled all of the St. Nicholas Churches you can find.... Bet there are many more around the world.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy
The last photo shows a labor of love by its creator.
Your blog is very impressive.
Many thanx for featuring this Church on your magnificient Blog.
May God bless you always.
Isn't it amazing how beautiful some buildings can be!!
Thank you for your comment and I am glad to come here and see such a beautiful church.
I love taking pictures of the old churches around our area.
Hope that you stop by again.
Have a great day.
Oh my goodness this church is very old but look at how well cared for and loved it is. Amazing....
Happy Thursday to you and Edward,
Madi and Mom
Hi Ann. I left one comment but it isn't here just a test to see if you have to approve first
Madi and Mom
Feast day celebrations are an intergral part of worshipping God, it seems like today, they have substituted for the traditions, which is some thing the Messiah Mark 7:8 and Paul Colossians 2:8 warned us not to do peace.
Hi Ann,What a wonderful photos you have, really captured the beauty of these churches.
Many thanks for your visit and comments - glad to have you aboard.
Oh Ann,
What beautiful photos...gorgeous and inspirational!
And you are right, right, right--I owe it all to Him!
I read that and it made me cry!!
You are a true woman of the Spirit....sending hugs your way,
Cindy
Hi Ann,
thanks for visiting my blog and your lovely comment on my box. It's fantastic how about blogging to meet new people around the world!
I really enjoyed reading about so many St. Nicholas churches and seeing your beautiful photos!
sending hugs Regina
That is a gorgeous church!
I can imagine sitting outside it trying to sketch or paint it! xx
Oh it's so lovely of you to feature an article about one of our old churches on the island. A very original blog.
Beautiful places indeed. My thing is Gothic Cathedrals. I wish air travel wasn't so expensive as I'd be around the world.
Baron says "Hi."
Good morning Ann dear! You are the EXPERT ON ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH LOCATIONS!!! Have you been to most of them?? Anita
The architecture is amazing. Each corner is wonderful. Thank you for stopping by and leaving me such words of encouragement.
Karen
Dear Ann,
Thanks very much for taking time out to visit my blog! I really appreciate your comments. It's so much fun to make new online friends! I wanted to let you know about the St. Nicholas Churches here in W.V. There is one right here in our town and another in Beckley, W.V. There are also others on this same page. I don't know if you already have these ones, but just wanted you to know. Here is where I found them - http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=408&church_type=null&church_location=&keyword=&showThumb=1&category_sakey=214&startPos=30.
I started a new blog about my pets and other pets and wanted to know if I could put a post about Edward and how he came to be with you and a picture of him. I will put a link back to you. My pet's stories and my daughter's cat and another friend's dog stories are on there. I have an email address..a contact me envelope..for people to send me their pet stories. I would love to post them! You could visit me there and send me a picture of him and the story as you would want it posted and I would be tickled to do it! I love to hear about animals and how they came to be with their owners! Here is where I am...http://waggintailsfurrytrails.blogspot.com/
The church you posted on today is beautiful and I love listening to church bells. It's amazing how these churches are still here after so many years have gone by. I love ancient history. Thanks so much!
Dorothy
Beautiful church, the architecture is amazing.;)
Have a lovely weekend dear Ann,
xoxo
Great photos and information. I love to read about the history of old churches :-)
Gorgeous!
Beautiful pictures, Ann. I like the feeling I get when entering a church...
Have a wonderful weekend xxxx
DEAREST ANN! YOU TOO WERE MARRIED IN MARCH???? WEll we were married in Los Angeles, where by this time, it is quite warm. In fact, we planned it in March to avoid the EXTREME pollen (me and my allergies) and extreme HEAT! But here we are in Minneapolis, and freezing! But we won't let a couple of FEET of snow stop us! Oh NO! We are out and about today, fooling around like kids. ENJOY YOUR DAY and thank you for your kind words. Give Sir Edward a squeeze for me!!! Anita
Dear Ann, How wonderful to see this magnificent church featured today. I have a cousin in Malta and have visitted often and of course been into many churches and cathedrals, including this one.
It is truly a masterpiece.
Thank you for showing us all these wonderful churches and thank you for always putting a little comment on my blog.
Big Hugs
June xx
Ann...I love churches!! I know this is gonna sound weird but I love cemetaries also. They're both so peaceful and beautiful. Thank you for following my blog. I'll be a regular on yours also.
Ronda
the architecture is spectacular in these.
Hi Ann, I'm just catching up....
Edward is such a lovely lovely boy, I can see how silky his coat is from the photographs.
St Nicholas New York looks so beautiful, uncanny to think that the Tzar effectively helped put it there. I always gaze at the photo's of his beautiful girls and little boy and cannot help but remember what a dreadful end they suffered.
The St Nicholas in Malta I recognize, I visited 23 years ago, I remember the girl who was with me had to borrow a shawl to drape about her legs as she was wearing shorts and the priest wasn't happy to let her inside.
Hope you have a great Sunday tomorrow dear Ann.
Hugs to you Jane
wouldn't it be neat to visit every one? thanks for sharing these amazing images. xo
Post a Comment