Chapel of Our Lady tal-Blat
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“The Chapel of Our Lady tal-Blat” digital experience where history and technology intertwine to bring you something that is immersive and entertaining.
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This chapel was mentioned during Monsignor Duzina’s pastoral visit to Qormi in February 1575. By 1601, however, it was in a very poor state.
The chapel that we see today was constructed in 1644. In it, is the altar with the crucifix and six ornate candlesticks. The altar is dominated by a stunning painting of Santa Maria with angels. This painting does not contain the artist’s signature. However, there is a sign that reads “Fondazione D’Galdies.” This demonstrates that D’Galdies paid for the Santa Maria painting with the same name.
There are twelve stars surrounding the head of the Madonna in this painting. These are gold-plated silver. They were created in 1981 by the Most Reverend Canon Reverend Michael Zammit. Benefactors from Qormi and the surrounding area amassed the funds for these stars. On the walls of this chapel are also fourteen paintings depicting the Via Sagra.
When entering from the left, there is a small niche in the wall containing an Ecce Homo statue. When entering from the right, a baptismal font is also present. The font is exquisitely crafted from marble. This chapel contains a confessional and wooden benches where doctrine is taught to children in the evening.
Despite its size, the Chapel has a sacristy. It contains a closet where necessary items are kept. On the walls of the sacristy are photographs of the titular painting depicting the decapitation of Saint George the Martyr, Saint George in the temple, and Saint George in front of the Diocletian emperor. Copies of the original paintings can be found in St. George’s parish church in Qormi. Above the main entrance is a painting of Our Lady of Sorrows and St. George Preca, the Museum Society’s Founder. There is another painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus next to this one.
Tal-Blat in Ħal-Qormi
Tal-Blat, nestled in the heart of Qormi, Malta, boasts a rich history intertwined with the island’s cultural tapestry. The name itself, “Tal Blat,” translates to “of the rocks,” echoing its agrarian roots. As the sun-drenched landscape witnessed centuries unfold, Tal-Blat evolved from a rural expanse into a vibrant community hub.
In the annals of Qormi’s history, Tal-Blat played a pivotal role as a breadbasket for the region, cultivating fields of golden wheat that sustained generations. The rustic charm of its past is echoed in the architecture, where traditional Maltese houses stand proudly, bearing witness to the passage of time.
Through the centuries, Tal-Blat weathered storms and celebrated triumphs, embodying the resilience of Malta itself. Today, its narrow lanes and historic structures whisper tales of a bygone era, inviting visitors to explore a living tableau of Malta’s captivating past. As the sun sets over the timeless landscape of Tal-Blat, the echoes of history resonate, ensuring that its legacy remains etched in the cultural mosaic of Qormi.
