History Santa Cecilia Chapel

the nearby santa cecilia tower, built in 1613

the date of construction of santa cecilia chapel unknown, believed date around 1540. area around chapel referred santa cecilie del mugiarro or in variants of name in notarial documents dated 1424 , 1569. surrounding area still known ta santa Ċeċilja or ta santa Ċilja. oldest recorded reference building made in pastoral visit bishop baldassare cagliares in 1615.

in 1613, knight fra bernardo macedonia built tower nearby , called santa cecilia tower after chapel. chapel described being in condition in 1630, , maintained through donations in next few years. however, in bad state 1635, , deconsecrated in 1644. chapel became ancillary building tower, @ times housing mule-driven mill.

the chapel (along tower) scheduled grade 1 monument in 1996, , expropriated government in 1997, although order not executed due compensation issue , chapel remained in use animal shelter , store until 21st century. interior burnt down vandals in august 2007, causing irreparable damage in process. part of west wall , roof slabs collapsed after heavy rainfall in january 2008.

plinth plaque commemorating inauguration of restored chapel in 2012

emergency stabilization works carried out after 2008 collapse, , later year chapel entrusted ngo wirt għawdex. restoration continued until 2011, , inaugurated on 24 march 2012. restoration works carried out wirt għawdex , ministry gozo, , sponsored baron group of companies, additional funds coming through eco-gozo projects , rotary club gozo. chapel converted venue cultural activities including lectures, exhibitions , concerts.

the chapel remains under care of wirt għawdex, , open public free of charge on last saturday of every month 11:00 13:00. group visits can arranged appointment.

the chapel listed on national inventory of cultural property of maltese islands.