Mellieħa is a large village or small town in the northern part of Malta and is a tourist resort, popular for its sandy beaches.
Mellieħa is a large village or small town in the northern part of Malta. It has a population of 10,087 since March 2014. Mellieħa is also a tourist resort, popular for its sandy beaches and natural surroundings.
1. Parish Church of Mellieħa
The Mellieħa parish church is a 19th-century baroque style building built in traditional Maltese stone. It is dedicated to the birth of The Nativity Of Our Lady with a feast celebrated annually on the 8th of September. The church boasts five bells that were brought over from Milan. The major attraction within this church is the five paintings by the famous Maltese artist Giuseppe Calì.
2. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa
Once a small Augustinian monastery, the sanctuary dates back to the 16th century. The crypt within, originally one of the many natural caves found in this area, was excavated by Mario de Vasi, a Sicilian wine merchant who contributed to the erection of the statue of Our Lady of the Grotto. According to local legend, the cave was visited by St Luke and St Paul when they were shipwrecked on the island – two splendid marble sculptures of the two apostles are among the many items within the sanctuary.
3. The Red Tower
St. Agatha’s Tower, or as it’s most commonly known, the Red Tower stands guard over Mellieħa Bay. Like all other watchtowers along the coastline, it was built as a signaling post for communication, in this case with towers in Gozo. It was capable of housing 30 soldiers. From the top of St Agatha’s Tower, the view is absolutely stunning. You can see right up to Gozo on one side and down past Mosta on the other. For a small entrance fee, visitors can climb to the top of the tower and also visit a small section with the history of the tower and the restoration process.
4. The White Tower
Built in 1658, the White Tower (Maltese: Torri l-Abjad) is a small watchtower overlooking Armier Bay. It is one of 13 watchtowers, built under the rule of Grand Master Martin de Redin to defend the Maltese coast. In 2009, it was passed on to the local council as part of the area’s cultural heritage.
5. Għadira Nature Reserve
The Għadira Nature Reserve, with its rare habitat, is the only place in Malta where you can go bird watching. Located inland from Mellieħa Bay, it has been in operation since 1978. Various species of migrating birds visit the wetland and the salt marsh each year and nature lovers can observe them from two hides opposite each other. The reserve is open from 7 November to May on Saturdays and Sundays. Entry is free but donations help the volunteers maintain this unusual attraction in Malta.