The tall tower
A landmark in open fields.
Mika500 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mika500 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Michelle Maria — CC BY 3.0 · Michelle Maria — CC BY 3.0
Ta' Pinu Basilica is a Catholic church and national shrine on Gozo, about 700 m from the village of Għarb. Its pale stone building stands alone in open fields with a 61 m bell tower, making it a clear landmark on the island's skyline. The shrine's origins are unknown. It appears in the archives of the Gozo Curia from a bishop's visit, and in 1575 an apostolic visitor ordered the small chapel demolished because of its poor state. Local tradition says the workman broke his arm at the first blow, taken as an omen, so the chapel stayed. In 1598 Pinu Gauci became its procurator, giving it the name. In 1883 Karmni Grima reported hearing a voice here, and accounts of faith spread among islanders. The new church was begun in 1920 and consecrated in 1932. Built in a neo-Romanesque style, it has an ornate stone front and tall tower outside, with a wide square before it holding modern mosaics. Inside are six mosaics, 76 coloured windows and ex-voto offerings left by grateful visitors. Pope John Paul II celebrated mass on the square in 1990. The church lies about 3 km from Victoria and 2.3 km from the Inland Sea in a straight line. It is an active place of worship, so wear modest clothes covering shoulders and knees, keep your voice down, avoid mass times and ask before taking photographs inside.
A landmark in open fields.
Modern mosaics before the front.
Pale stone with fine decoration.
Near Għarb, Gozo, Malta
Modest clothes covering shoulders and knees, since it is an active place of worship.
Better to avoid it out of respect and come between services.