Ta' Pinu Sanctuary
Portuguese / French / Spanish / German / Italian
Apart from the Cathedral in the Citadel and St George's Church in Rabat, there are many other remarkable churches well worth seeing including that of Xewkija, said to have one of the largest cupolas in Europe, and the basilica of Ta' Pinu, the most famous place of pilgrimage for Maltese and Gozitans all year round.
The origin of Ta' Pinu goes back to June 22,
1883 when a peasant woman, Carmela Grima, heard the voice of the
Blessed Virgin in a little old chapel. In the following
years many 
miracles
and acts of grace were manifested. It was believed that the
prayers said in the little chapel saved Gozo from the plague
which had stricken Malta at the time. It was therefore
decided to build a larger and more magnificent church on the site
in honour of the Blessed Virgin.
A collection from amongst Gozitans, including those living abroad together with donations contributed by community members and much physical work, enabled the people to start constructing work in 1920. In 1931 Ta' Pinu was consecrated and in 1932 Pope Pius IX gave it the status of Basilica. The origin 16th century chapel was fully integrated into the new church and can be seen at the far end with its original paintings and votive tablets.
The church with its fine tower built in the Romanesque style stands out like a rock greeting the visitor. The history of Ta' Pinu is a good example of teh strong links which Gozitans have with the Catholic faith.