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| Tina & Joseph are visiting Ħad-Dingli cliffs |
The Grandma wants to visit the chapel of Saint
Mary Magdalene in Digli.
Today, she and her friends are discovering this wonderful place where you can enjoy the most spectacular breath-taking views of Ħad-Digli cliffs.
Today, she and her friends are discovering this wonderful place where you can enjoy the most spectacular breath-taking views of Ħad-Digli cliffs.
Dingli, in Maltese Ħad-Dingli, is a village in the Northern Region, with a population of 3,608. It is 13 kilometres from the capital Valletta and two kilometers from the nearest town, Rabat.
The village lies on a plateau some 250 metres above sea level, which is one of the highest points of Malta. The area provides not only open sea views over the tiny, uninhabited isle of Filfla, but is also a good vantage point over Malta. From the cliffs there are also views of the nearby Buskett Gardens and Verdala Palace.
The name Dingli is believed to be derived from the name of Sir Thomas Dingley, an English knight of the Order of St. John, who owned much of the lands in the surrounding area.
More information: Dingli Local Council
Rock-cut tombs dating back to Phoenician, Carthaginian and Roman times have been found in the limits of Dingli. Roman baths and other remains were also found at Għajn Handful and the area of Ta' Baldu.
Until the early 16th century, a small village known as Ħal Tartarni existed, somewhere between Buskett and the present location of Dingli. The village was one of the ten original parishes of Malta by 1436, having a church dedicated to Saint Domenica. The original church no longer exists, but a nearby chapel built in 1669 with the same dedication is still standing.
The noble family Inguanez had a lot of land in the area, and employed the population of Ħal Tartarni to work the fields. Over time, the people moved closer towards the fields, abandoning the original village. The new village eventually grew to what is now Dingli. The site of Ħal Tartarni now consists of open fields.
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| Claire Fontaine in Ħad-Dingli cliffs |
The parish of Dingli was established in 1678 and is dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady into heaven. The church is situated in the centre of the village on a prominent position, overlooking all the surrounding area.
The church which one finds today, was built in the form of a Latin cross in the beginning of the 20th century. The church was heavily modified in the middle of the same century, with the building of a new façade and extensions to the width of the main aisle. A more recent development, was the building of the dome during the 60s and 70s, which completed the construction work of the church.
The same church was given the title of Arch parish church by a decree of the Archbishop of Malta on 22 August 2015, the eve of the titular feast of Dingli.
The church which one finds today, was built in the form of a Latin cross in the beginning of the 20th century. The church was heavily modified in the middle of the same century, with the building of a new façade and extensions to the width of the main aisle. A more recent development, was the building of the dome during the 60s and 70s, which completed the construction work of the church.
The same church was given the title of Arch parish church by a decree of the Archbishop of Malta on 22 August 2015, the eve of the titular feast of Dingli.
The feast of the Assumption in Dingli is celebrated on the first Sunday after the 15th August. The titular statue of Our Lady in the parish is the fifth one in the island, made by Anton Busuttil in 1861. The statue is carved in wood and is used in a procession on the day of the feast each year carried by 8 statue bearers from the parish. The statue was restored twice: in 1934 and 1977.
More information: My Malta Guide
Throughout the rule of the Order of Saint John, Dingli was considered to be safe from corsair attacks because it was impossible for pirates to land in the area due to the Dingli Cliffs.
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| The Grandma walks to St Mary Magdalene chapel |
The village began to see more development after the mid-20th century where the population doubled from 2,000 into the 21st century. Telephone service was introduced in private homes, and public transport began to reach the village itself instead of stopping at Rabat.
Until the early 20th century, it was difficult to send children to school, since boys used to work in the fields while girls helped in the domestic work. This changed over time, and today everyone goes to school, on both primary and secondary levels. Some continue their studies on post-secondary and tertiary levels, from where they can attain a doctorate in their field of study.
Those who appreciate inspiring coastal scenery should take a short drive or bus ride from the Blue Grotto in Wied iz-Zurrieq to the Dingli Cliffs. The appeal and the drawback of this location is its remoteness. The sheer 250-meter Dingli Cliffs drop off dramatically into the Mediterranean Sea, and the sloping hillsides are fertile land used by small farms.
More information: Bald Hiker
The highlight of Dingli Cliffs is the viewpoint that offers breathtaking seaside panoramas. Besides a short walking trail, there is nothing at Dingli Cliffs except a tiny hilltop chapel that is devoted to Saint Mary Magdalene.
Saint Mary Magdalene Chapel, in Maltese Kappella ta' Santa Marija Maddalena is a Roman Catholic chapel in the limits of Dingli, dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene. It overlooks the Dingli Cliffs, and is therefore commonly known as il-kappella tal-irdum.
The chapel was built in 1646 on the site of an earlier one which had existed since at least the 15th century. Its simple architecture is typical of Maltese wayside chapels. The date of construction of the chapel is not known, but the oldest reference to the building was made in 1446. It was used by farmers who lived in nearby farms. The chapel was in a state of disrepair by 1575, and it later collapsed. It was rebuilt in the 17th century. The chapel is listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.
St. Mary Magdalene Chapel has a simple design, typical of Maltese wayside chapels. It has a rectangular structure, with its façade containing a single doorway and a circular window. A Latin inscription is located just above the door, while a slab originally containing a coat of arms is located above the window. A small parvis, in Maltese zuntier, is located outside the church, and a railing is located nearby to protect visitors to the chapel from falling down the cliffs.
The church has an altar built of Maltese limestone. The altarpiece is The Risen Christ by Paul Camilleri Cauchi, depicting Jesus forgiving a penitent Mary Magdalene after his resurrection.
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| The Grandma & Claire contemplate the starred night |
The chapel was built in 1646 on the site of an earlier one which had existed since at least the 15th century. Its simple architecture is typical of Maltese wayside chapels. The date of construction of the chapel is not known, but the oldest reference to the building was made in 1446. It was used by farmers who lived in nearby farms. The chapel was in a state of disrepair by 1575, and it later collapsed. It was rebuilt in the 17th century. The chapel is listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.
More information: Malta 360
St. Mary Magdalene Chapel has a simple design, typical of Maltese wayside chapels. It has a rectangular structure, with its façade containing a single doorway and a circular window. A Latin inscription is located just above the door, while a slab originally containing a coat of arms is located above the window. A small parvis, in Maltese zuntier, is located outside the church, and a railing is located nearby to protect visitors to the chapel from falling down the cliffs.
The church has an altar built of Maltese limestone. The altarpiece is The Risen Christ by Paul Camilleri Cauchi, depicting Jesus forgiving a penitent Mary Magdalene after his resurrection.
More information: Times of Malta
The Catholic Church has never really come to terms with women.
What I object to is being treated either
as Madonnas or Mary Magdalenes.
Shirley Williams
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