Church modelling is considered as one of our folkloristic hobbies. It dates back to the 16th or 17th century when our islands were ruled by the Knights of Saint John.

The Knights were a Religious Order approved by the Pope, so they tried to instil in our people not only love for religion but also love for all that is sacred such as buildings, sculpture and paintings.

Generally speaking most of the Maltese in the harbour area earned their living as servants with the knights or with the Maltese nobility. In their spacious houses or palaces these used to have a small chapel annexed to their house. Such houses still exist in Mdina and Valletta. Others who couldn’t afford a room to be used exclusively as a chapel, constructed a portable altar as part of a set of useful furniture.

The altar was set in a wardrobe or cupboard which when closed looked complementary to the sitting room furniture.

Although many Maltese, like the Knights, liked the idea of having a family chapel or a portable altar, they couldn’t afford to have either or both… most of them lived in extreme poverty. So, the idea was of having what they called L-ixkaffa tal-Madonna (the Blessed Virgin’s shelf).

This gave rise to church modelling expertise which is fast gaining popularity among hundreds of enthusiasts.

As time went by, people keen to decorate their shelf  as best as they could, started elaborating on it and in some households the custom developed in building a miniature church generally having one’s parish church as a model.

As I mentioned earlier, many church modelling enthusiasts lived in the Harbour area which was heavily bombed during World War ll, with the consequence that many families lost their properties, including model churches, through enemy action.

Following war, this hobby started to lose its popularity and in the 1970s and early 1980s only few senior citizens were still keen on church modelling.

In 1986 three church model enthusiasts met in Floriana and discussed a strategy to revive this tradition. An appeal in the local newspapers was positively received and a society by the name of Għaqda Dilettanti Mudelli ta’ Knejjes was born. Today, 26 years later, almost 400 members form part of this society which operates from its premises in Valletta.

The society organises various activities with the aim of promoting the hobby especially among the young generation. Monthly meetings are held regularly during which professional people lecture members in specific fields such as guilding, clay designing and artificial flower arranging, commonly known as ganutel.

Video forums are also organised where experts in folklore and artistic criticism lecture about traditional feasts and heritage.

The society also issues a by-monthly magazine, entitled Il-Knisja Tiegħi.

The society’s main event is the annual exhibition held at St Francis Hall in Valletta during the first two weeks of Lent. Over 100 members display their exhibits, which vary from church models to statues and other items associated with religious folklore.

The exhibition is a showcase of traditional popular art not necessarily artistic in the professional sense of the word but a reflection of art by lay people who try to do their best to imitate the artistic patrimony of our churches.

Church models or detailed artworks are displayed in various materials, including wood, papier mâché, used matchsticks and Maltese limestone. Other related items include statuettes, model altars and miniature chandeliers.

The exhibition is on at St Francis Hall, Melita Street, Valletta, until March 18. It opens daily between 9.30am and 12.30pm and from 4.30 until 7.30pm.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.