Christ the King memorial

This monument is the largest and most dynamic memorial by 20th century Maltese sculptor Antonio Sciortino. It is a significant landmark recalling a very important event in Malta’s jubilee celebrations marking the beginning of the 20th century, and the Holy Year 1900 dedicated to Christ the Redeemer. It commemorates the Eucharistic Congress of 1913 which was a very important event involving the participation of not less than five cardinals and 39 archbishops from all over the world.

It was landscaped purposely in the centre of an avenue lined with palm trees in keeping with the context of the mystical and religious theme of the mausoleum. Cast in the Buongirolami foundry of Rome, the rendering of the surface of the bronze figures is impressionistic while the facial features of Christ were treated with finesse to emphasise and attract attention.

The recumbent figure of Malta looks away from Christ signifying the veneration act of the faithful in front of the Holy Eucharist and humility. Until quite recently the monument was the starting point of a pilgrimage towards St John’s Co-Cathedral, held annually on the last Sunday of November marking Christ the King celebrations.

Mepa scheduled the Christ the King Memorial as a Grade 1 national monument as per Government Notice number 522/12 in the Government Gazette dated May 8.