Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel

Region	Gozo
Building type	Place of Worship
Address	Church of the Madonna of Lourdes, Triq Lourdes, Ghajnsielem, Malta
Located Graffiti	Animals, Anthropomorphic, Apotropaic Symbols, Dates, Names or Initials, Numbers, Ship Graffiti, Symbols, Text

The chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes in Għajnsielem is located on a promontory, overlooking the historically busy harbour of Mġarr. It is to no surprise that numerous ship graffiti have been etched here. Having been built in the year 1888, this chapel has experienced multiple events in the Islands’ history including the second world war. A number of traditional Maltese boats are depicted in the form of ship graffiti rigged with sails. Other types of graffiti have been etched on the walls of the chapel apart from ship graffiti.

Gallery

Symbols - A series of four vertical lines crossed out with a diagonal line. This symbol is repeated on the same facade of the building Dar Guzeppa Debono located a few metres away from the chapel.

Animals, Text and Numbers - Located on the southwestern-facing wall are a number of different types of graffiti. A fish can be seen as well as the letters ‘GM’ on top of the numbers 1941 likely signifying the date.

Modes of Transport - A plane complete with its propeller is one of a collection of planes etched into this chapel. Etchings of planes are not a common find yet at least four examples are found on the outer walls of this chapel.

Anthropomorphic - The portrait of a man wearing a top hat is located adjacent to the plane described. The person has been given facial features.

Modes of Transport - A detailed graffito of a plane consisting of the hull, wings, cabin hatch and cockpit windows. On the upper portion of the plane’s wing ‘J.M.R. 1975’ have been etched, likely as initials and a date.

Symbols - The face of a clock is etched on the extremity of the southwest-facing wall. The clock’s hands point towards 12 and 4. The letters ‘BAX’ are followed by the numbers ‘1967’ most probably referring to a name and date. Another clock face can be seen underneath.

Ship Graffiti - A small depiction of a ship’s hull can be seen. The hull has a short bowsprit and an ambiguous etching on the top side of the deck could be representing a cabin.

Symbols - On the northwestern outer wall of the chapel another clock face can be seen similar to the ones described. This clock face too has a centre pit implying that it once also had hands indicating an hour. This example however is becoming invisible to the eye altogether.

Ship Graffiti - A 19th century ship graffito etched in a three-dimensional rendition. The etching is drawn as if one was viewing the ship from the starboard side.

Modes of Transport - Another plane, also drawn in a three-dimensional fashion is located right above the ship described previously. The plane is etched with a canopy and the wings are located underneath the hull.

Ship Graffiti - A very detailed and accurate depiction of a Maltese traditional boat. The hull is double ended therefore the graffito is of a Luzzu or the Dgħajsa tal-Latini. The latter used to moor and unload cargo at Mġarr harbour, the harbour which the chapel overlooks. The boat has a spritsail rig and a line descending from the bow gives the impression that it is at anchor.

Initials and Date - The initials ‘FS’ are written in block letters, superimposed on each other to create a design. The numbers ‘1951’ follow which likely signify a date.

Ship Graffiti - A large rendition of a sailing ship is located on the northwestern wall. This ship carries a bowsprit and has multiple masts all depicted with rigging. This graffito is feint and it is already difficult to make out.

Initials, Date and Anthropomorphic - Some areas of the chapel’s walls contain multiple examples of graffiti next to each other. Here one can see the initials ‘E.B.’ followed by the date ‘1931’, ‘MS’ and ‘95’, ‘T.C.’ and ‘4-0-09’. These surround an outline of a left hand within which ‘K.E. 29’ are inscribed.

Text - Among the many pieces of text etched into the walls of the chapel, sometimes place names can be identified. This text reads ‘NAXXAR’ referring to a village located in Malta, Gozo’s sister Island.

Symbols - The chapel’s walls are endowed with many markings and symbols. This zigzag pattern occurs more than once.

Initials - ‘L.W.’ are written in cursive text on the facade of the chapel.

Initials and Date - ‘GX 1908’ are etched on one of the columns on the chapel’s facade. The initials and date graffiti type is very common on this chapel.

Ship Graffiti - On the side of the column harbouring the ‘GX 1908’ graffito a ship graffito is found. This ship is rigged with a gaff sail, top sail, forward square sail and a spritsail. Two flags fly on top of the masts. A rudder can also be seen.

Ship Graffiti - The hull is similar to that of a traditional Maltese boat, having a tall stempost and shorter sternpost. The boat has two masts carrying bermudan sails and an indication of a bowsprit, likely representing a schooner rig.

Our Lady of Lourdes 21

Ship Graffiti - A crude drawing of a traditional boat having a very wide stempost in proportion to the rest of the hull. Two masts can be seen carrying lateen sails.

Ship Graffiti - At least two outlines of a boat’s hull can be seen. The graffiti are unfinished.

Ship Graffiti - Measuring about 10-25cm, this graffito of a Lateen rigged boat is one of the smallest ship graffiti on this chapel. The boat also has a spritsail. Although traditional Lateen rigged boats normally have two main sails, this representation seems to have three.

Our Lady of Ship Graffiti - This representation of a ship is clearly etched. The rigging of the ship can be seen bearing a square rig at the fore and a gaff sail at the aft. It also features two flags bearing the Union Jack. The numbers ‘01’ are indicated on the graffito. 25

Ship Graffiti - Another Lateen rigged boat is etched also including a bowsprit and the ridder.

Ship Graffiti - A boat with a deep hull is etched into the southeastern-facing wall of the chapel. This hull has been depicted with the planking. There is also evidence of a mast at the fore however this is now hardly visible.

Ship Graffiti - Yet another Lateen rigged boat can be found on the outer walls of the chapel. The spatial context of the chapel overlooking the harbour where goods were transported between Malta and Gozo via Lateen rigged boats explains the number of Lateen boats etched here.

Apotropaic Symbols - This hexafoil is believed to ward off bad intentions from buildings or doorways. This graffito is commonly found.

Ship Graffiti - The hull of a double-ended boat having two masts. Flags bearing the Union Jack are seen atop the masts. The graffito also contains the boat’s standing rigging and the steering system consisting of a tiller and rudder.

Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel

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