A collection of traditional Chapels in the southern localities of Malta

Throughout this journey, you will experience an interactive feature consisting of visual and descriptive information about the Chapels. The eBook of Religious Heritage- A Collection of Traditional Chapels in the Southern Localities of Malta - is divided into 9 Chapters with each chapter representing a locality. This digital platform features a 360° Virtual Tour of each chapel which in return enhances rural development in an innovative cultural dimension through technology. This visual experience is supported by a summary of information about the historical and architectural importance of each chapel. The manner in which the project has been designed facilitates access to visualise the architecture of both the outside and interiors of the chapels. To access this eBook, you can check it out here to get a glimpse of some of the most traditional Chapels in the Southern region of Malta. 

The evolvement of the eBook project knows its inception from a concept brought forward by the managerial team, mainly the Culture Manager and the EU Funds Manager of the Southern Regional Council. Conscious of the need to promote cultural heritage, the main thematic area focused on Chapels within the Southern Region. The project objective is to identify and collect information about the chapels as a means to promote their existence. We have learnt from historians that the earliest chapels on the islands date back to the 12th and 13th centuries when monks from southern Italy started the process of the re-Christianisation of Malta. However, due to the fast-paced living of many communities, some of these historical buildings are being side-lined, neglected and closed to the public.

An eBook of religious Chapels in the Southern region of Malta

During the implementation of the project, the project team met with chapels which are abandoned or used as stores or are privately owned and hence not available to the public. Fortunately, not all chapels suffered this turn of events as we also discovered that there are many dedicated gatekeepers of these gems. One cannot but express gratitude and praise for the daily commitment of the gatekeepers and custodians of the chapels whose testimonials can be viewed throughout the eBook. The cooperation of these persons was a pinnacle element of this project, without them, the project could not be implemented.

The homogenous characteristic of this project is the methodology that was adopted which for the first time 9 Local Councils - Ħal-Luqa, Ħal-Qormi, Birżebbuġa, Ħal-Għaxaq, Iż-Żejtun, Santa Luċija, Gudja, Marsaxlokk and Marsaskala - partnered in a project with the objective to develop the culture and traditional knowledge base, increase cost-effectiveness and improve the locals’ as well as the touristic experience since information is easily accessible. Having all this information on an online platform is in line with the national drive to build a digital platform for Malta’s touristic products. This could also lead to future projects across these neighbouring localities such as one which combines these attractions and sites into a package touristic product.