Parish Church of the Nativity - Mellieħa, Malta - Ornate Sanctuary and High Altar

The richly decorated sanctuary of Mellieħa Parish Church, with its high altar surrounded by elaborate stonework, paintings, flowers and ceremonial silverware.

This photograph shows the richly decorated sanctuary and high altar inside the Parish Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Mellieħa, Malta. Elaborately carved pale stonework surrounds the sanctuary, while paintings set within ornamental frames decorate the curved walls behind the altar. Numerous candlesticks, hanging lamps, floral arrangements and ceremonial silverware create an especially elaborate setting, reflecting the importance of the church within the religious life of Mellieħa. The present parish church was built between 1881 and 1898, after the older Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa had become too small for the growing community. Following completion of the building, successive parish priests continued to embellish its interior. Several important paintings were commissioned from Maltese artist Giuseppe Calì, including the titular painting completed in 1898, together with works depicting St Helen, St Cajetan, Our Lady of the Rosary and St Paul. Further marble, sculpture, stained glass and other decorative work was added throughout the twentieth century, gradually creating the richly ornamented interior visible today.