The art and architecture of the Carmelite Church at Balluta

Abstract

The history of the Carmelite Parish Church at Balluta has been popularly documented through Church publications and newspapers, along with being mentioned within other publications of a more scholarly nature. These publications were not always executed in an exhaustive manner, and thus either through poor resources or through a lack of delving, these publications have not given this church its historical worth. The Carmelite Church at Balluta is an establishment which documents the history of the Orders within Malta, through their vivid conflicts with foreign; and thus larger, Provinces, and with their need to acquire their personal identity through a local Province. This dissertation searches to encapsulate the different publications and archives to attain the historical scheme of the Carmelites within Balluta, through the different architectural structures that were consequently built and through the artistic patronage lent unto both local and foreign artists. This long essay deals with the art historical importance of this Carmelite establishment within what was once a sleepy bay off St Julian's, which through the induction of this Order became a thriving town centre. An attempt has been made to place everything according to its proper historic and artistic milieu. The dating and archival references of a number of works of art given by Fr Serafin Abela 0. Carm were found to be erroneous and were thus corrected accordingly.