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In the lack of
documentary evidence, the Old Parish Church of the Assumption
at Birkirkara is generally attributed by architectural
historians to the above mentioned Cassar and Dingli, on
stylistic and chronological grounds. At the time, the
Birkirkara parish priest was Don Filippo Borg, who was also
the promoter and main financial backer of this project.
Building had
probably already started by l610, but was not finished until
60 years later when the belfry was completed. The facade is
based on that of a classical temple with two giant, panelled
corinthian pilasters with crisply carved capitals carrying a
full entablature. This has a richly carved frieze and over it
rises a finely detailed triangular pediment which had a statue
of the Virgin in its centre.
The main
semi-circular headed doorway is similarly framed by an engaged
column on either side. These carry a smaller finely-detailed
entablature over which are five coats of arms inset between
two smaller columns. The armorial bearings are those of the
Spanish monarch Philip III , then still recognised as overlord
of the islands; of the then reigning. Grandmaster Alof de
Wignacourt; that of bishop Caligaris; that of Don Filippo Borg
while it is not known whom the fifth one stands for. A latin
inscription gives the date of dedication as 1617, but perhaps
only the nave was completed by that date.
Information
taken from
www.birkirkaraonline.com |
