Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer
Chapel of St Leonard Courtesy Xir Cammini

Lunzjata Valley

The cave-chapel of St Leonard (Għar San Anard) and the Chapel of the Annunciation (Il-Lunzjata) are located in the tranquil Lunzjata Valley near Rabat, Malta, forming one of the island’s most spiritually rich and historically significant rural complexes. The chapel of St Leonard, carved into the rock before 1418, is one of the best-preserved medieval troglodyte churches in Malta. It is dedicated to St Leonard of Noblac, patron saint of captives, and was likely the heart of a small hermit community. A cylindrical apse once adorned with medieval frescoes has been lost due to modern repainting.

Nearby stands the Chapel of the Annunciation, built by the Carmelites around 1418 after noblewoman Margherita d’Aragona donated the land. It features late medieval architecture and once served as the first Carmelite convent in Malta. The entire site is now part of a Carmelite retreat house offering silent spiritual retreats in nature.

ℹ️

AI Transparency Notice

PilgriMaps uses artificial intelligence tools to assist in the research, drafting and translation of editorial content. All AI-assisted content is reviewed, edited and verified by our editorial team before publication. We contrast information against primary sources, specialist literature and on-the-ground knowledge to ensure accuracy, cultural sensitivity and editorial integrity.

AI is one tool among many in our workflow. The judgement, curation and responsibility for everything published on this platform remain entirely human.

Viator Media S.L. — in compliance with the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (Regulation EU 2024/1689).

This post is also available in: Español Italiano

Leave a Comment