The Madonna tal-Aħrax.
The Madonna tal-Aħrax, also known as Our Lady of the Cliffs, is a Catholic icon in Malta. The icon depicts the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus, with both figures standing on a crescent moon. The icon is believed to date back to the 16th century and is housed in a small chapel carved into the cliffs near the village of Dingli.
According to legend, the Madonna tal-Aħrax was discovered by a group of sailors caught in a storm off the coast of Malta. The sailors prayed to the Virgin Mary for safety and were guided to the spot where the icon was found. The sailors brought the icon to shore, eventually enshrined in today’s chapel.
Another known legend Legend has it that the statue was discovered by a farmer tending to his flock in the area. According to the story, the farmer saw a bright light coming from the cliff face, and upon investigating, he found the statue of the Virgin Mary. The farmer and the villagers interpreted the discovery as a sign from God and built a small chapel around the statue.
The chapel is a small, white-washed building that blends into the surrounding cliffs. Visitors can see the Madonna tal-Aħrax and other religious artefacts and offerings left by devotees.
Over time, the Madonna tal-Aħrax statue became a popular pilgrimage site for Maltese Catholics, who would journey to the site to pray and ask for the Virgin Mary’s intercession. The statue is also a popular tourist attraction and is easily accessible via a hiking trail from the village of Mellieħa. The chapel is a popular pilgrimage site, particularly on the feast day of the Madonna tal-Aħrax, which is celebrated on the first Sunday of September.
The Madonna tal-Aħrax statue is a significant landmark located in Mellieħa, Malta. It is a small Virgin Mary statue carved into a niche in the cliff’s rock face overlooking the sea. The name “tal-Aħrax” is derived from the Maltese word for “cliff”.
Today, the Madonna tal-Aħrax statue and chapel have been restored and are open to the public. The site offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and is a popular destination for locals and tourists.
