Balzan Parish Church

The first building stone of today’s Parish Church, dedicated to Our Lady of Annunciation, was laid in 1669. Architectural plans for this church, in the shape of a Latin Cross, began in 1665. In this church many artistic treasures are found, works by famous painters such as Giuseppe Calleja, Chev. Emvin Cremona and Paul Camilleri Cauchi. The titular statue is Salvu Dimech’s work, completed in 1898.

Other Churches

Good Shepherd
Pertaining to the sisters of the Good Shepherd convent, this chapel was built in 1898 after the Good Shepherd sisters decided to broaden their work among the needy. Architect V. Busuttil built the chapel at his own expense. Other benefactors who helped the sisters throughout their history included Cardinal Ferrata and Queen
Elizabeth, who was still a princess when she visited the convent.

Maria Assumpta
This church is found in Main Street and just in front of it there is a statue of St. Mary. The church is very old, in fact it was consecrated for the second time in 1675, after t had been profaned and re-built. Work on this church has recommenced again, as it is now being restored.

St. Michael’s Church
This church, built in the 14th century by a certain Mikiel Zarb, does not exist anymore. It used to stand at crossroads in the middle of Valley road.

Church dedicated to the Birth of St. Mary
Another church which is historically known to have existed at some time around 1575. However no other information is known about it, such as its exact position.

Church dedicated to the Annunciation of Our Lady
This 400 year old small church, found in Three Churches street still retains many of the original features with which it was built. It was the main parish church up to 1655.

St. Anard’s Church
This church is another of the three churches found in the street bearing the same name, i.e. Three Churches street. However one cannot recognise it as an old church today, since it was converted into a house several years ago. It was built in 1575.

St. Roque’s Church
This Church also found in Three Churches street, was built in 1593 after an outbreak of the plague in that same year. Victims were buried in the church. The main painting shows St. Roque, St. Paul and St. Sebastian, all protectors of the plague.

Niches and landmarks

In Balzan one finds many statues and niches dating back decades, and sometimes centuries; as well as works of art by renowned sculptors.

Statue of Maria Assumpta
The statue of Our Lady, found just in front of the church dedicated to Maria Assumpta was made in 1838 by the Maltese sculptor Sigismondo Dimech. Conservation and restoration works on it were made in 2003, on the initiative of Balzan Local Council.

Statues of St. Gabriel and Our Lady
Works by the sculptor Sigismondo Dimech also include the Statues of St. Gabriel and Our Lady, found at the entrance of the vestibule of the parish church. Bishop Vincenzo Labini had given special indulgences to those who prayed in front of these statues.

Statues of St. Peter and St. Paul
Two other statues on the vestibule of the parish church are those of St. Peter and St. Paul. They were not always part of the vestibule, as in earlier times they made part of the main altar. However, when this was changed in the 18th century, the two statues were put in their present places.

Niches and where they are: