St Lucy's Chapel, Għaxaq

The Chapel of St Lucy is a Roman Catholic 16th century chapel located in the outskirts of the village of Għaxaq in Malta. In Maltese, the chapel is known as Santa Luċija tal-Barrani.

History
The chapel was built in 1535 on land owned by the Cathedral chapter through the initiatives of Paolo Pellegrino. In return an honorary canon of the cathedral was obliged to bear the expenses for the celebration of the feast of the saint and to provide alms for the poor on the feast day, a custom that persisted until WWII. The expenses for the construction of the church were seen to by the cathedral chapter with the chapel being administered by the cathedral Precentor. After WWII the chapel was neglected and disused. It was only recently that the chapel was restored and used for worship.

Interior
The chapel has one altar and a painting depicting Saint Lucy and the Virgin Mary. The chapel's interior consists of 3 pointed arches that support the walls and roof, typical of medieval architecture in Malta.

References

Category:Roman Catholic chapels in Malta
Category:Roman Catholic churches in Malta
Category:Churches completed in 1535
Category:Għaxaq
Category:National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands