Church of St Catherine of Italy, Valletta

Church of St Catherine of Alexandria
Knisja ta' Santa Katerina ta' Lixandra
Church of St Catherine of Alexandria
35°53′46.6″N 14°30′39.5″E / 35.896278°N 14.510972°E / 35.896278; 14.510972
Location Valletta
Country Malta
Denomination Roman Catholic
History
Founded 1576
Dedication St Catherine of Alexandria
Architecture
Status Active
Functional status Church
Architectural type Church
Style Baroque
Administration
Archdiocese Malta
Clergy
Rector Gino Gauci

The Church of St Catherine is a Roman Catholic church situated in Valletta, Malta. The church serves as the parish church of the Italian community of Malta.[1] Thus it is more commonly known as the church of St Catherine of Italy or Santa Katerina tal-Italja in Maltese.

The interior of the church

Origins

The church was built in 1576 by the Italian knights of St John to serve as their church. It was built adjacent to the Auberge d'Italie. Girolamo Cassar was commissioned to draw up the plans. In the 17th century the church was enlarged.[2] An octagonal church was added to the existing chapel. The original chapel was changed into the sanctuary of the church. The church underwent a major restoration from 2001 till 2011. Today the church still serves as the parish church of the Italian community of Malta.[3]

The church building is listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.[4]

Works of Art

The titular painting was painted by Mattia Preti. It depicts the martyrdom of St Catherine of Alexandria. Preti donated the painting to the church after his arrival in Malta. The cupola of the church was also painted by Preti. He drew it with painted stucco decorations and ornamental patterns in grey and gold.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "St Catherine of Alexandria". Retrieved on 23 October 2014.
  2. ↑ "ST. CATHERINE OF ITALY CHURCH, VALLETTA ". Retrieved on 23 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "Restoration of St Catherine of Italy Church in final phase", Times of Malta, Malta, 17 March 2011. Retrieved on 23 October 2014.
  4. ↑ "Church of St. Catherine of the Langue of Italy" (PDF). National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands. 27 August 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  5. ↑ "Church of St Catherine of Alexandria". Retrieved on 23 October 2014.
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