The Basilica of the Visitation in Għarb, Gozo, is a magnificent baroque church and a spiritual and cultural centerpiece of the village. Built between 1699 and 1729 and inspired by Roman Baroque architecture, it features an elegant façade reminiscent of Borromini’s works. The church became a Collegiate in 1774 and was elevated to the status of Minor Basilica by Pope Paul VI in 1967.
Dedicated to the biblical Visitation of the Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, the basilica houses remarkable artworks, including a 1729 altarpiece by Gian Nicola Buhagiar and a celebrated statue by Giuseppe Vella (1853), used during the annual Feast of the Visitation, held on the first Sunday of July. This vibrant event includes religious ceremonies, cultural festivities, and processions filled with devotion and joy. The basilica’s artistic and spiritual treasures make it a cherished site for both locals and pilgrims.
- Address
Triq Il-Knisja, Għarb, Gozo
- Web
https://www.churchingozo.mt/gozo-ecclesiastical-heritage-trail/gharb-basilica/ - Visiting Hours
Unknown - What to see
Altarpiece
