The Parish Church of the Assumption of Our Lady (Maltese: Knisja Parrokkjali ta' Santa Marija Assunta) is a Roman Catholic parish church in Dingli, Malta, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. The church was constructed in various phases between 1903 and 1973 on the site of a previous church built between 1678 and 1680.
The church's parish status was temporarily revoked in 1668, but the decision was declared unjust and the parish status was restored in 1678. Following its restoration, the church was extended between around 1678 and 1680 through the efforts of the parish priest Raimondo Mifsud. The church built during this period measured approximately 7.6m by 15.2m and featured five altars, a small sacristy, and one small belfry.
Construction and completion of the present church
The construction of the present church began in 1903 on the site of the previous church and proceeded through various phases over a long period until 1973. The new building was constructed using local globigerina limestone quarried from an area known as Ta' Wirxina. Limestone used for sculpted motifs was also transported from other villages, including Mqabba.
The church was rededicated in 1908 and was formally consecrated and dedicated by Bishop Mikiel Gonzi of Gozo on March 26, 1939. However, several parts of the building remained incomplete. After structural damage occurred in the 1950s, architect Giuseppe D'Amato was appointed to propose further alterations to the church.
The church's dome was constructed between 1968 and 1973 by stonemason Ġeraldu Spiteri, based on the design of architect Italo Raniolo. The interior of the dome was decorated by sculptor Alfred Camilleri Cauchi, who hailed from Gozo.
Architectural style and features
The present church has a cruciform plan, measuring approximately 34 metres in length and about 23 metres in width (at the transepts), with the nave measuring approximately 7.6 metres wide. The church is covered by a dome resting on concrete pendentives.
The church's façade features a large portico composed of two pairs of Corinthian columns resting on plinths, which is crowned by a small triangular pediment. The main entrance beneath the portico is further framed by columns. Above the entrance, there is a balcony with a balustrade and a semicircular window. The two belfries are each crowned by a small dome and a lantern.
The interior of the church houses several important artistic works, including a 17th-century Baroque oil painting depicting the 'Marriage of the Virgin and St. Joseph' and thirteen 18th-century paintings illustrating the 'Way of the Cross'. Additionally, a wooden polychrome statue of St. John the Baptist is sculpted in a late Gothic style, originating from Southern France or Italy.
Dingli's parish church is situated on one of the highest points in the settlement, and its dome and belfries are visible from afar, serving not only as the spiritual centre of the Dingli settlement but also as a landmark. In August 2015, the Dingli parish was declared an archipresbyteral church by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna.
Malta | Parish Church of the Assumption, Dingli マルタ | 聖母被昇天教区教会(ディングリ)
マルタ共和国(きょうわこく)はイタリアのシチリア島(とう)の南(みなみ)、地中海(ちちゅうかい)にある小(ちい)さな島国(しまぐに)で、イギリス連邦(れんぽう)とEUの加盟(かめい)国(こく)です。主要(しゅよう)な島(しま)はマルタ島(とう)とゴゾ島(じま)、コミノ島(じま)の三(みっ)つです。マルタは古(ふる)くから地中海(ちちゅうかい)貿易(ぼうえき)で繁栄(はんえい)していました。気候(きこう)は地中海性(ちちゅうかいせい)で、冬(ふゆ)は温暖(おんだん)で雨(あめ)が多(おお)く、夏(なつ)は暑(あつ)く乾燥(かんそう)しています。また、小型犬(こがたけん)のマルチーズの発祥(はっしょう)の地(ち)であり、マルチーズという名(な)はマルタに由来(ゆらい)しています。The Republic of Malta is a small country in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sicily, Italy, and a member of the Commonwealth and the EU. Its three main islands are Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Malta has prospered through Mediterranean trade since ancient times. The climate is Mediterranean, with warm, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. It is also the birthplace of the Maltese small dog breed, which derives its name from Malta.
マルタ共和国(きょうわこく)はイタリアのシチリア島(とう)の南(みなみ)、地中海(ちちゅうかい)にある小(ちい)さな島国(しまぐに)で、イギリス連邦(れんぽう)とEUの加盟(かめい)国(こく)です。主要(しゅよう)な島(しま)はマルタ島(とう)とゴゾ島(じま)、コミノ島(じま)の三(みっ)つです。マルタは古(ふる)くから地中海(ちちゅうかい)貿易(ぼうえき)で繁栄(はんえい)していました。気候(きこう)は地中海性(ちちゅうかいせい)で、冬(ふゆ)は温暖(おんだん)で雨(あめ)が多(おお)く、夏(なつ)は暑(あつ)く乾燥(かんそう)しています。また、小型犬(こがたけん)のマルチーズの発祥(はっしょう)の地(ち)であり、マルチーズという名(な)はマルタに由来(ゆらい)しています。The Republic of Malta is a small country in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sicily, Italy, and a member of the Commonwealth and the EU. Its three main islands are Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Malta has prospered through Mediterranean trade since ancient times. The climate is Mediterranean, with warm, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. It is also the birthplace of the Maltese small dog breed, which derives its name from Malta.
独立後
マルタは1964年に独立し、1974年には共和制に移行しました。そして2004年には欧州連合に加盟しました。<History of Malta> Prehistory
The history of Malta is extremely old, with the first human settlement dating back to around 5900 BC. The initial settlers were agricultural people, and farming activities deteriorated Malta's soil, leading to a temporary abandonment. Subsequently, settlement restarted around 3850 BC, and megalithic temples, including the Ġgantija Temple, were constructed. These temples are considered some of the oldest freestanding structures in the world. However, this civilization vanished around 2350 BC.
Phoenician Domination and Antiquity
Malta's prehistoric era ended around 700 BC with colonization by the Phoenicians. The Phoenicians were displaced in 218 BC when the island was occupied by the Roman Republic, followed by the Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Empire. However, in 870 AD, it fell under the control of the Aghlabids, becoming part of an Islamic state.
From the Normans to the Knights Hospitaller
In the 11th century, it was conquered by the Normans and subsequently came under the rule of the Kingdom of Sicily. In the 16th century, it was ceded by the Spanish Empire to the Knights Hospitaller, who successfully repelled a siege by the Ottoman Empire in 1565.
British Rule
In 1798, it was occupied by the French, but they were driven out a few months later by a Maltese uprising, and the island came under British protection. In 1813, it became a direct British Crown Colony and developed as a crucial base for the British Navy.
Post-Independence
Malta gained independence in 1964 and transitioned to a republican form of government in 1974. It joined the European Union in 2004.