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This media is about Maltese cultural property with inventory number 02102. Photo by Joseph Psaila on

Top 10 Facts about Chapel of St. Nicholas

The chapel of Saint Nicholas is a Roman Catholic chapel located in the Zonqor area between Marasaskala and Zabbar, Malta.

The chapel was dedicated to Saint Nicholas. A previous chapel dedicated to him in the early 16th century was at the present chapel. The present chapel was constructed between 1759 to 1762.

The chapel is located within the limits of Marsakala but is administered by the parish of Zabbar. The church is attractive because of its Baroque style.

Learn more about the chapel of Saint Nicholas in these top 10 facts.

1. The Chapel is Built in the Baroque Style

The chapel is built using local limestone, it’s a rectangular building and it has a small cylindrical dome with a lantern. The chapel façade contains the main portal, flanked by two sets of flat pilasters on plinths.

The doorway is in the central bay, decorated with moldings and topped with a pediment. A window that illuminates the chapel is found above the door.

A wide entablature topped by a cornice runs along the entire façade and there is also another triangular pediment tops the central bay. This is decorated with the coat of arms of bishop Bartolome Rull, surmounted by the arms of grand master Manuel pinto da Fonseca.

Above the main doorway is a plaque with a Latin inscription commemorating the chapel’s completion and a longer inscription describing the course of construction is located inside the chapel.

2. The Chapel Has Spectacular Artworks

The altar art piece portrays 

saint Nicholas is wearing a bishop’s clothing. It is attributed to Mattia Preti’s bottega. The original painting is displayed in the Zabbar sanctuary museum and a copy by Michael Mifsud is located inside the chapel.

A small wooden statue of Saint Nicholas at the old chapel was moved to the Zabbar parish church in the 17th century. Once the new chapel was completed, it was placed back.

The small wooden statue was eventually moved to the Zabbar sanctuary museum, and another saint statue was found in the chapel.

3. The Present Chapel Was Built for Three Years

The construction of the chapel started in 1759 and ended in 1762. It was built by lawyer Giovanni Battista Azzopardi Barbara. In order to fulfill the wish of his father, Gian Francesco.

4. The Chapel of Saint Nicholas is an Attraction Site

The Chapel of Saint Nicholas is an attractive tourist site. The architectural design stands out, and you can visit to learn more about its architectural history.

The chapel attracts thousands of visitors from different countries. Visitors can attend mass held once every month.

5. The Chapel of St. Nicholas is Listed on the National Inventory of Culture Property of the Maltese Islands

The National Inventory of the cultural property of Maltese Island is a heritage register listing the cultural property of Malta. The chapel is considered one of the heritage cultural properties.

The chapel is erroneously listed twice with inventory numbers 1741 and 2102 under the localities of Marsaskala and Zabbar, respectively.

6. The Chapel Was Dedicated to Saint Nicholas

Photo by Continentaleurope on

Bishop Nicholas of Myra was one of the powerful leaders in the Christian church in the fourth century. According to mythology, he was born in nearby Patara and participated in theology debates about the nature of Christ.

Saint Nicholas is known as the patron of merchants, sailors, brewers, children, unmarried people, pawn brokers, repentant thieves, and students in various European cities and countries.

Notarial documents of the early 16th century indicate that a chapel dedicated t saint Nicholas existed in the Zonqor area. The chapel formed part of the parish of St. Catherine of Zejtun and stood on land that belonged to Salvu Burlo.

In 1575 Pietro Dusina visited the chapel and found that it had an altar but no door that was undecorated. He ordered Salvu Burno to install a wooden door.

This chapel was not well maintained and not regularly used, which resulted in it being desecrated by bishop Miguel Juan Balaguer Camarasa on March 25, 1659, and again by Lorenzo D’Astaria in 1666.

The chapel remained functional for a few more years before being desecrated for a third time by bishop Miguel Jeronime de Molina on March 25, 1679.

7. The Present Chapel Building Was Built by a Lawyer

It was built by the lawyer Giovanni Battista Azzopardi Barbara in order to fulfill the wish of his father, Gian Francesco.

On July 10, 1759, the first stone was laid down by Monsignor Giovanni Maria Azzopardi Castelietti. The chapel was completed within three years and was dedicated in 1762.

The chapel was presumably built to serve the religious needs of farmers who lived in the area, and it is sometimes known as Tas-subricint. With time a plaque stating no gode I’immunita ecclesia was installed near the doorways to show that the chapel didn’t enjoy ecclesiastical immunity.

8. During the World War II, the Chapel was Damaged

This media is about Maltese cultural property with inventory number 02102. Photo by Joseph Psaila on

The chapel was damaged during World War II and in November 1945, it was repaired. The society of Christian doctrine members from Zabbar used the chapel for retreats for some time.

Nowadays, the chapel is located within the limits of Marasaskala, but it forms part of the parish of Zabbar. It is always open on Friday evenings for rosary or adoration and mass is held there once every month.

9. The chapel of Saint Nicholas is a Roman Catholic Chapel

The roman catholic church is the largest Christian choir and the world’s oldest and continuously functioning international institution, which played a prominent role in the history and development of western culture.

The chapel of Saint Nicholas adheres to the catholic doctrines reflecting direct teachings of early Christians and orthodox belief by the ecumenical council and in papal bull and theology debated by scholars.

10. The Chapel is Still Active

The chapel is an attraction site but is still active and in use. On Friday, it is always open in the evening for rosary or adoration and mass is held once every month.