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Malta - Ta' Pinu Church, Gozo - Ta' Pinu ShrineWe visited Ta' Pinu Church, Gozo during our visit to Malta in 2011 Ta' Pinu was a 16th Century chapel that was developed into a major Romanesque basilica in a remote area of northern Gozo. The Ta' Pinu Sanctuary is dedicated to The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and existed as a much smaller building before 1545 when records show it was rebuilt. In 1575 the church was desecrated and had to be demolished. According to local folk lore the worker who took the first blow with his pickaxe broke his arm - so the building was left alone. In 1587 the building became the property of a Philip Gauci who repaired it and later ordered the painting of the image of the B. V. - Since then it has been known as Ta' Pinu.
The news spread and pilgrims came to the small church. - In 1919 work on a new church started, and completed in 1931. In 1935 the status was raised to a Minor Basilica. Pope John II prayed in front of the image of the B. V. on 26th May 1990. The listing of a particular facility or service on this website does not necessarily mean that we recommend the business or individual(s). Prices, telephone numbers, services and personalities may change at short notice. We will not be held accountable for any error or omission within the text and images may be used for illustration purposes only. |
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It is claimed that on 22nd June 1883 a 45 year old spinster, Karmni Grima was passing the chapel, on her way home, heard a voice invite her inside. The voice appeared to come from the painting of the B. V. asking Karmni to recite 3 Ave Maria in honour of the three days her body remained in the tomb before her Assumption to Heaven.