Kurt Bugeja Coster
Satanists' chapel gets a guardian angel
A chapel formerly used by satanists after it fell into ruin has been restored by a contractor who bought the land on which it lies.
On Thursday, the 500-year-old Santa Marija Tal-Virtù chapel in Tal-Virtù, Rabat, hosted its first Mass and celebration in 70 years.
Although it had passed through the hands of many landowners, none of them had bothered much with it and it eventually became dilapidated.
It was also used for Black Masses. The original structure was extensively damaged when overturned crucifixes were carved in the walls and painted in black over the altar.
The parcel of land was bought by contractor Charles Mangion and his family about three years ago.
"When I saw the state it was in, I immediately decided to use my resources to restore it to its pristine state. After all, since I work in the field, I could not pass up the opportunity to work on a place with such fascintating architecture," he said. Nowadays, during special religious ceremonies, one can walk though the wooden doors, which have been restored, into a splendidly decorated chapel with soft sacred music playing in the background.
The gaping fissures snaking along the dome and walls have been sealed and painted over in light blue and beige.
The altar, which is the original one, was gilded and adorned with white lace and silverware.
Moreover, the crypt, which was used as a place of worship 2,000 years ago, was whitewashed with a mixture or lime and fibre to allow the stone to breath.
A tree which grew at the top of the dome was removed and in its place a copy of the original statue of Christ the King was mounted.
During Thursday's ceremony, Mr Mangion invited family and friends to a band procession, followed by a celebration and a lavish reception.
His next project, he said, was to restore the nearby Palazzo Tal-Virtù, which is about 100 years old and is situated on the same land. He is currently awaiting the go-ahead from the planning authority.
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Christian Sciberras
Oct 25th 2009, 10:53
Hope we get more restorers like this one around.
Several chapels and buildings have suffered irreparable damaged throughout the ages.
One such example is a particular Gozitan chapel which once had it's walls (surrounding the main altar) layered with gold. It has slowly degraded because of high levels of salt.
Alexander Morana
Oct 24th 2009, 21:10
How romantic, and a great applause to the new owners who saw to it to restore part of our Maltese heritage.
Once again prosit Sur Mangion.
Patrick Mifsud (1 hour, 59 minutes ago)
I know exactly what the state of this chapel was. We used to go in from a well next to the chapel, although today i will find it very difficult to pass through the well. it had all sorts of satanic signs in it and we used to get very afraid going in. at the age of 12/13 we thought that the devil was residing there. But it was always something fascinating.
Emmmmm, sounds very familiar. Stories I was told in my childhood too. Don't go in there! That hall is closed for everyone. That land is haunted. The Carob tree was used as a hanging post by someone who lost his wife long time ago. Never go in there alone the paintings on the walls move!!!
At the end, up to this day I finally found out why all these innuendoes and made up fables! It was in some one's interest that others were not to see what's in the value of those things?
patrick mifsud
Oct 24th 2009, 18:54
very well done. i know exactly what was the state of this chapel. we used to go in from a well next to the chapel, although today i will find it very difficult to pass through the well. it had all sorts of satanic signs in it and we used to get very afraid going in. at the age of 12/13 we thought that the devil was residing there. but it was always something fascintaing. well done to you Mr. Mangion and hopefully you will let us in to see it , you did a great job.
Neville Zammit
Oct 24th 2009, 16:23
Well done. Good job.
Franco Farrugia
Oct 24th 2009, 15:59
Well, the Palazzo was unfortunately extremely viciously vandalised in the period when I, and others, used to visit it nearly daily ... you know, doors stolen, bathroom tiles removed, bathrroom sets broken, that kind of thing. and yet, the building had that aura of dignity, a demand for respect ... it was almost a place totally cut off from the rest of the country, it was so peaceful, so cut off, so beautiful. and the Palazzo, together with the chapel, lie within a closed enclave in which there are many trees, almost a wood! There was also a damaged belvedere which prided itself with one of the bmost beautiful views in the country.
I Abela
Oct 24th 2009, 15:44
Does anybody know what happens in such cases with such buildings? Since it is a chapel is the building also property of the curia? And since it is more than 500 years old, does the government have a share in it too. Or since it is on Mr. Mangion's land, it is his sole property? Any info ?
James De Giorgio
Oct 24th 2009, 15:07
Prosit, prosit!
Ramon Casha
Oct 24th 2009, 15:05
Well done. I often went exploring both buildings while playing truant from a nearby school. I hope the replacement statue is lighter - it is said that it was the weight of the original statue that caused the fissures in the chapel.
Eric Soames
Oct 24th 2009, 14:17
Satanists, black masses, crypts and an old chapel? Reads like a Dennis Wheatley novel. Fascinating and well done to the restorers
Joe Cassar
Oct 24th 2009, 13:41
Well done to Mr Mangion.
Of course, according to Prof. Piani and his acolytes, this is just another fake which should have been left in the ruined state and surrounded by permanent scaffolding.
Scerri S
Oct 24th 2009, 12:44
A big well done to the new owners for restoring the site on their own initiative. The chapel in particular was in a pitiful state. However I was wondering whether the replica of the statue on the dome is to-scale. I remember seeing the original in old photos, and at its present location within the nearby school grounds, and it doesn't seem to be the case. In fact, driving up to Rabat and from Saqqajja it looks like there is a television aerial on the dome rather than a statue. I don't mean to be negative but I had to point that out! Keep it up otherwise!
Joe Calleja
Oct 24th 2009, 11:08
My wife and I had the privilege to attend to this first Mass being said after so many years.Mr. Charles Mangion has given a great example to other contractors to do their bit too.They will be spending some money ,but it is money well spent,and the satisfaction is second to none.THANK YOU, Charles and thank you also to his wife Carmen for doing all the arrangements and organizing in the most professional way,for the celebrating of the Mass,pilgrimage and reception.Charles and Carmen,s faces had never been so lit with satisfaction.What we give in the name of God,He gives back One Hundred Times
Joseph Schembri
Oct 24th 2009, 10:51
Tell us your stories then Franco :-) The place seems fascinating.
Franco Farrugia
Oct 24th 2009, 10:03
I have so many stories to say about that land! I have been inside that Palazzo many, many times, but never inside the Chapel. It is a beautiful area, a beautiful property. Congrats to the owner.