Chapel of Our Lady, Addolorata Cemetery, Paola, Malta
Local native name
Year designation
Lithology
Aesthetics
Geological settings
Cenozoic – Neogene – Miocene – Aquitanian – Globigerina Limestone Formation; forms part of the Oligo-Miocene ‘soft limestones’ found widely in the Mediterranean Basin
Location
Mainly in the south-western part of the Island of Malta
Chapel of Our Lady, Addolorata Cemetery, Paola, Malta
More than 6000 years of history
This stone has been continuously used for building and sculpture for 6000 years. The most significant use of the Globigerina Limestone has been in the UNESCO recognised capital city of Valletta, and the similarly listed megalithic prehistoric Temples of Malta. The stone was exported also in the past (1909 – 1938), in reasonably significant amounts, to countries such as Italy, Greece and Libya. The greatest and best use of the stone prior to modern times was made during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, under the Knights of St John. These include numerous systems of fortifications (over 60 kilometers) which have recently been extensively restored. Also primarily built of this stone are the fortified city of Mdina, the old capital of Malta, the fortified Three Cities of the Grand Harbour area, as well as numerous villages spread all over the Maltese archipelago, characterised by magnificent and elaborate Baroque churches. This stone is mostly quarried and used today for restoration purposes.
Cathedral Museum, Mdina, Valetta, Malta
Valetta sea front, Malta
- Author(s)
Joann Cassar
