Mqabba: Churches and Cultural Heritage

You can explore Mqabba through its tangible historical landmarks: churches, chapels, a tower, catacombs and a medieval stone path reveal different aspects of the town. The history of religious buildings sits alongside earlier burial and route uses. This offers a range of points of interest for planning your trip: you might be interested in church architecture, archaeological details or the history of local places of worship.

Churches and historic buildings

The parish church of the Assumption of Mary was built between 1699 and 20 May 1774. St Basil’s Church has a different building history: it is one of the 30 medieval churches on the Maltese Islands and the only church there dedicated to St Basil. It was extended three times; the first extension took place in 1486 and the last in 1515. Our Lady of Sorrows Church was built in 1500 and was originally dedicated to the Assumption of Mary.

Smaller buildings also add to the picture. St Catherine’s Chapel stands opposite the parish church. St Michael’s Chapel was originally built in 1550 and rebuilt in 1669. Vincenti Tower was added in 1726: Prior Orfeo de Vincenzo had it built during the rule of the Order of Malta in Malta. The different dates and architectural styles show that Mqabba’s religious and historical landmarks date back to several centuries.

Ta’ Mintna Catacombs

The Ta’ Mintna Catacombs consist of three hypogea that were initially separate burial complexes. They were later connected and used as a well. An exceptionally well-preserved triclinium is located in the central hypogeum. This is a table carved into the rock for memorial meals. Two rows of triangular lamp niches face the table. The site therefore reveals both its earlier function as a burial place and its later use as a well.

Matla Wall: an old route through the fields

Matla Wall is a raised medieval stone path, built with stones laid without mortar joints. It was about one kilometre long and one metre wide, and began in the centre of Mqabba. Only a small section of the path remains. It served as a preferred dry route across flood-prone fields, especially during the rainy winter months. Its length and width describe its historical dimensions; the Matla Wall’s enduring significance lies above all in its role as a dry path through this landscape.

Wayside shrines and religious memory

There are two wayside shrines on Triq il-Parroċċa, each with a different association. The Assumption of Our Lady shrine features a statue of the Virgin Mary’s Assumption into Heaven with angels. A plaque below it bears the date 1878. The shrine has been described as a place of devotion, particularly during and after the First World War.

The wayside shrine of the Archangel Michael is also on Triq il-Parroċċa, formerly called Triq id-Duluri. During the difficult times of the 1850s, it served as a place where travellers on their way to Siġġiewi and Haż Żebbuġ could pray for protection. A plaque near the shrine notes that Bishop Buhagiar granted indulgences in 1888. These details give the shrines their own historical context: they were not only religious landmarks in the townscape, but were also associated with prayers and travel routes.

Local life and travel planning

The liturgical feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated on 15 September with a Mass in the square in front of the church; the specific arrangements may vary. Village feasts are also part of the annual cycle: fireworks are set off year after year and are considered a major attraction for audiences. The exact dates of the feasts are not fixed.

Globigerina limestone, known in Maltese as ġebla tal-franka, is also part of the local character: most of the rock found in Malta is located in Mqabba. A route overview may also be useful when planning your journey. As of 4 September 2026, Malta Public Transport lists route 117 among its airport routes, together with Mqabba. Check the current timetable before travelling, as routes may change.

Discover more destinations: Floriana, Gozo, San Lawrenz, Marsaskala, Kercem, Ghanjsielem, Għargħur, Sannat.

For the broader travel overview: Malta.