Zebbug - Tal Hlas
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On the northern outskirts of Zebbug is the little church of Tal Hlas, dedicated to mothers in labor. In the early days of the Order, it was on the main route between Mdina and the Three Cities, and was used by traveling knights.
The church is charmingly simple. The original building, dating from 1500, was destroyed by the 1693 earthquake, but in between rebuilding St Paul's Cathedral in Mdina, Lorenzo Gafa found time to rebuild it. It is said the organ came from the wreckage of St Paul's in Mdina. The unusual twin porticoed loggias on either side were added in 1699 to provide shelter for pilgrims, and the escutcheon is that of Pope Clement XI. A good example of priestly self-preservation, common in many of the small churches, is the heavily barred windows in the facade; during corsair raids they enabled the priest to remain locked safely inside, and say mass to the congregation outside.
The church is charmingly simple. The original building, dating from 1500, was destroyed by the 1693 earthquake, but in between rebuilding St Paul's Cathedral in Mdina, Lorenzo Gafa found time to rebuild it. It is said the organ came from the wreckage of St Paul's in Mdina. The unusual twin porticoed loggias on either side were added in 1699 to provide shelter for pilgrims, and the escutcheon is that of Pope Clement XI. A good example of priestly self-preservation, common in many of the small churches, is the heavily barred windows in the facade; during corsair raids they enabled the priest to remain locked safely inside, and say mass to the congregation outside.
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