Set the scene.
An older church existed before 1400; rebuilding followed in 1601. This became Xagħra’s first parish church in 1688, before that role moved elsewhere.
Here’s the twist.
A painting by Dun Salv Bondi from 1816 recalls the plague, showing people living in tents. Art preserves memories of hardship alongside religious devotion.
Why it still matters.
Animal blessings joined the saint’s celebration in 1948. Imagine the tiny square filled with different creatures: this church’s history includes the working and domestic animals of village life.
🧠 One to think about +
What does this story change about the way you see Malta today? Pick one detail you’d tell a friend — then check its source below.