Collegiate Church of St Lawrence

The Collegiate Church of St Lawrence in Birgu (Vittoriosa), in southeastern Malta, stands on the site of the Knights of St John's first conventual church on the islands. The Order arrived in Malta in 1530 and used the earlier church of St Lawrence as its conventual church until it moved its headquarters to Valletta in 1571. The present Baroque building was designed by the Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafa and built between 1681 and 1697, replacing the earlier structure. The church is dedicated to St Lawrence, the patron of Birgu, who is celebrated in an annual festa in August. The building is an example of Maltese Baroque, with a restrained facade, a dome and an interior of rich decoration, including paintings, marble and gilded detail. Among the works associated with the church are paintings by Mattia Preti and a collection of relics and artefacts connected with the Knights, including items linked to Grand Master Jean de Valette, who led the defence during the Great Siege of 1565. The church was badly damaged by bombing in 1942 during the Second World War, and restoration followed, with further conservation work in later decades. As a parish church it remains an active place of worship, and visits are arranged around services. The interior is arranged along a traditional nave and side chapels, so visitors move from the entrance past altars and paintings toward the main altar. The church sits in the old centre of Birgu close to the Inquisitor's Palace and Fort St Angelo. Visitors should dress modestly and keep noise low, as the church is used for services throughout the week.