Parish Church of Saint Mary

The Parish Church of St Mary in Attard, Malta, stands in the heart of the village as a fine Renaissance church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. Built between 1613 and 1624, it is attributed to the architect Tommaso Dingli and is regarded as the finest Renaissance church on the islands. The church retains its original design except for a belfry and two sacristies added in later centuries. Its façade features Corinthian pilasters and a triangular pediment, with six niches holding statues of saints. The interior follows a cruciform plan with a dome, choir, two side chapels, and ten altars. The church’s history includes additions like the belfry built in 1718–19, which holds five bells cast between 1713 and 1830. The clock on the belfry was made by Michelangelo Sapiano in 1872. The sacristies were built in 1740 and between 1856 and 1857, with the latter now used as a crying room. The parvis was rebuilt in 1958 after war damage. The church is listed as a Grade 1 national monument and is part of Malta’s cultural heritage. Inside, the ceiling of the aisle and choir is adorned with frescoes, and the stonework around the main doorway shows Spanish Plateresque influence. Statues by Francesco Saverio Sciortino from 1945 decorate the façade. The church’s design and decorations reflect the craftsmanship of its era, making it a notable example of Renaissance architecture in Malta.