About Us

Mellieħa is a town ideally situated in the north-western part of the island of Malta. Known for its wonderful sandy beaches, world-class hotels and restaurants, Mellieħa is one of Malta`s most pristine regions. It offers visitors a relaxed rural experience. The picturesque landscapes on the coastal region are second to none, with many trails leading to spectacular scenic locations. Inland, vast and fertile farmlands provide fresh produce all year round. Mellieħa, is also home to many rare and protected species of wildlife. Its close proximity to the seashores attracts a great number of colourful birds, mainly at the Għadira Natural Reserve.

Together with the Hamlets of Manikata and Selmun, the region makes up one of the country`s most important historical areas. Ruins and tombs provide enough evidence to prove that Mellieħa has been inhabitated as far back as Neolithic times to the Byzantine era.

 
The nation sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa is the oldest Marian shine in Malta and originated as a natural cave which was consecrated as a church at an unknown date, and local traditions link its establishment to antiquity or the medieval period. The church’s altarpiece is a Byzantine-style fresco which is believed to date back to the late 12th or early 13th centuries, and it is said to be miraculous.It became a parish church by the early 15th century, and although it was later absorbed into another parish the church retained its importance as a pilgrimage site in subsequent centuries. The present building was constructed in various stages between the late 16th and 18th centuries, incorporating parts of the natural cave in which the church originated. A number of notable people visited the sanctuary over the centuries, including several notable personalities, including Pope John Paul II.

Opposite the Sanctuary, on the other side of the main road leading to Għadira Bay, at the bottom of the valley lies another shrine dedicatedto Our Lady of Grotto. Up till today it is still lit by the many votive pictures brought over by people who suffered illnesses and were healed. A spring of flows under the statue of Our Lady that was erected by Mario de Vasì.

The Parish Church of Mellieha is dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady, and was built between 1881 and 1898. All the stone was quarried and conveyed from Armier by the locals, who worked laboriously to see their wish of having a new church. Once the church’s building was completed, the Parish Priests Dun Frangisk Magri, Dun Carlo Cortis and Dun Indri Fenech endeavoured to embellish the interior.Between 1920 and 1940 the belfries and dome were erected, five bells dedicated to St. Frances, St. Joseph, St. Anthony, St. Paul and the Virgin Mary were brought from Milan, and the church altars were decorated with paintings by the best Maltese painters, including the renowned Giuseppe Calì and Lazzru Pisani.

The old church of St. Joseph at Manikata was built in 1920, by a small number of people from this tiny hamlet. The soft, honey-coloured stone was brought from Qasam Barrani quarry, while harder stone, for the arches was brought from quarries in the north of Mosta. But with the increase of Manikata residents, the old chapel became too small for the religious needs of the locals. In 1961, the residents and Rector Rev. Manwel Grima decided to build a new and larger church, uniquely designed by the reknown architect Richard England. The building of the new church of Manikata faced numerous problems. In 1962 the first stone was laid, but after the death of Fr. Grima the church remained half built for five years. Finally Manikata’s new church was finished and blessed on 29 November 1974, more than ten years after he officially had laid the first stone.

The northern coast of Malta began to be fortified in the early 17th century. The first fortification to be built in Mellieħa was Saint Agatha’s Tower, which was completed in 1649. This large tower was built on Marfa Ridge, overlooking Mellieħa Bay, with clear views of Comino and Gozo. The smaller Għajn Ħadid Tower and Armier Tower were also built in the limits of Mellieħa in 1658.

 
A series of coastal batteries,redoubts and entrenchments were also built in Mellieħa in the 18th century. Several of these still survive, such as Mistra Battery, Vendôme Battery, Wied Musa Battery and Westreme Battery. The Devil’s Farmhouse found at Ta’ Randa area is an example of Maltese farmhouses built in the 18th century. Just before World War II, Fort Campbell was built in Selmun, whilst Mellieħa Fort was built on top of Mellieħa Hill as a lookout post. The British also built a number of pillboxes around the coastline of Mellieħa, for defensive purposes in case of an Italian or German invasion.