Travel Tips

Being in principle a religious event, the Sanctuary is 'dressed' to the the occasion...

... including all the details, like the the parish priest's (Kappillan) coat of arms.

This is not to say that the statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (the former in the picture) are not required to 'guard' the church as they do throughout the year, but do so more proudly during the festa week.

The main altar inside the church is cared for by a curator...

... as are the numerous statuettes and replicas found in parishioners' windows overlooking the streets...

... and enjoying the band marches through the streets of the whole city. Typically, festive marches are played, but the most acclaimed (and arguably the most beautiful) march is the Ave Maria, quite often played in variations.

Meanwhile elsewhere the MMG band (the blues) seal, featuring the initals Mariae Mater Gratiae (Mary Mother of Graces) is erected on the Band Club's premises (Il-Kazin)...

... overlooking a hawker selling traditional Maltese eats and sweets, including such as qubbajd (nut/almond/sweetened pastry), qaghaq tal-ghasel (honey rings) and imqaret (date pies) among others.