These are seven rural chapels you could visit on Maundy Thursday

Visiting seven churches is a long-standing tradition for Maltese Catholics on Maundy Thursday. On Thursday evening, all of Malta’s parish churches are open and hold Eucharist adoration ceremonies.

Several rural churches and chapels that are often closed, however, will open on Thursday night.

Here are seven of them:

Maqluba. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Maqluba chapel – Qrendi

The chapel, located on the edge of Qrendi, overlooking the Maqluba sinkhole, will be open on Maundy Thursday evening. The site has two chapels dedicated to St Matthew, which are adjoined to one another, called the big chapel and the small one. The small chapel dates back to medieval times, while the larger one was built in1682.

Both will be open this evening, with the small chapel also hosting a Holy Week-themed exhibition organised by the Lourdes Qrendi Band Club.

Location: Misraħ il-Maqluba, Qrendi

Kunċizzjoni’s inside. Photo: Facebook-Kunċizzjoni ta' Vera Rabat

Kunċizzjoni chapel – Rabat

The Kunċizzjoni chapel is on the outskirts of Rabat, in one of Malta’s quietest areas. Mass is celebrated daily. Thursday is no different, with Mass celebrated at 6pm. The church will remain open, and the adoration of the Eucharist will also take place.

The chapel dates back to the time when the Knights of St John ruled Malta and was built during Grand Master de Vilhena’s time in the 1730s.

Location: Triq il-Wied, Kunċizzjoni, Rabat

Mary Magdalene Chapel, Dingli. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

St Mary Magdalene – Dingli

Another scenic chapel open on Maundy Thursday is the St Mary Magdalene chapel in Dingli. Perched along the Dingli Cliffs, the chapel will not be hosting Eucharistic adoration. However, Dingli’s altar boys will present an exhibition of mosaics they have created, depicting Jesus’s journey to the cross.

The chapel is one of Malta’s most photographed sites and is always popular among tourists at sunset.

Location: Triq Panoramika, Dingli

Ħal Xluq, Siġġiewi. Photo Chris Sant Fournier

Ħal Xluq – Siġġiewi

Siġġiewi is an especially popular destination for worshippers. Each Maundy Thursday, the town square is illuminated by countless candles, while torchlight lines the path leading up to the Laferla Cross on the hill at the town’s outskirts.

There will also be an exhibition organised by the Fireworks Association in the medieval chapel of Ħal Xluq and the small square in front of it.

Location: Triq Bur it-Tokk, Siġġiewi

Ta Loretu. Photo:Kapella ta' Loretu, Gudja

Ta’ Loretu – Gudja

Among the fields that separate Gudja from Birżebbuġa is Ta’ Loretu chapel. The chapel is hosting an exhibition with miniature statues related to the Passion of Christ.

Location: Triq Ta’ Loretu, Gudja

Santa Katerina tat-Torba. Photo: Google Maps

Santa Katarina tat-Torba – Mqabba

Santa Katarina tat-Torba is on the road between Qrendi and Mqabba. While it administratively falls within the confines of Mqabba, the chapel is the responsibility of the Qrendi parish.

Speaking to Times of Malta, the Qrendi parish priest said the chapel only opens once a year – for the adoration of the Eucharist on Maundy Thursday.

Location: Triq l-Imqabba, Mqabba

Bidnija. Photo: Jean Paul Borg

Holy Family  – Bidnija

The Bidnija chapel will open at 6.30pm and will be open for adoration. Nestled between Mosta and Mġarr, the hamlet of Bidnija is home to the chapel, which was built in 1920 and is dedicated to the Holy Family.

Location: Triq tal-Milord, Bidnija, Mosta