Stories in stone: the beauty of Ta’ Pinu Basilica

Ta’ Pinu Basilica is often called our church of miracles and its divine mosaics make it an exciting and highly-photographed stop on our tours of Gozo.

Maltese people are faithful, devoted, and visitors enjoy our decorative churches – even if they do not share our faith.

There are 359 churches and chapels across the Maltese islands, 46 are in Gozo. Ta’ Pinu National Shrine is one of Gozo’s most adored sacred sites, welcoming hundreds of visitors daily.

At Yippee, we love seeing our customers joyful surprise, when Gharb’s lush countryside suddenly opens up to reveal this magnificent church in all its glory.

Designed in 1920 by architect Andre Vassallo in the Lombard Romanesque style, the church is made from honey-coloured globigerina limestone, the bedrock of Gozo.

The church is 150ft long,100ft wide, and its bell tower is 154ft high. Construction was completed in 1936, and Pope Pius XI granted it Basilica status.

Miraculous visitations of Our Lady – the “Virgin Mary of Ta’ Pinu” have happened here, which is partly why the site is so revered. Pilgrims from all walks of life journey here.

Pope John Paul II visited in May,1990, and Pope Francis in April 2022, attracting thousands of worshippers and well-wishers.

The mosaics at Ta’ Pinu

But our feature isn’t about miracles, but mosaics – the captivating and colourful religious panels decorating Ta’ Pinu’s church parvis.

Installed in May 2017, these sacred tableaus illustrate the mysteries of the Rosary, sharing 20 Gospel stories in stone.

The mosaics were made by a team of 25 international artists from Rome’s prestigious Centro Aletti, working out of its Mosaic Atelier. It took them 10 months to design and assemble them.

One of these artists working on this commission was Gozo priest and sacred iconographer, Father Robert Gauci.

The mosaics vibrant designs easily blend into their surroundings and enhance the visitor experience.

Fr. Robert says: “When you see our Mediterranean landscape, the greens, the ochres, the blues of the sea – and then you observe the stones in the composition, they are almost like a continuation of our landscape and easily fit inside this Mediterranean palette.”

Father Gerry Buhagiar, Ta’ Pinu’s former Rector had initiated getting a large parvis for the church built. So that visitors would have the freedom to walk around, stop, and enjoy the architecture, sacred art, and statues.

Perfect for a moment of reflection, quiet prayer, thoughtful conversations, or simply to take photos.

For centuries mosaics have illustrated religious stories, teaching spiritual lessons.

Father Robert believes that this kind of art can be as powerful as bible scripture, “One is written in ink and the other in colours, speaking not just to the senses, but to the spirit of man. Expressing the faith of the church, by making the gospel visible and accessible.”

While creating Ta’ Pinu’s mosaics – working as part of the artistic team, Fr Robert would often share his local knowledge and insights. He says: “It was my suggestion to include miraculous fishing in the luminous mysteries, because I knew just how important fishing is to the people of Gozo.”

Fr Robert and Eikon

Fr Robert now runs Eikon, a liturgical art studio in Gozo, close to Ta’ Pinu, where large religious art installations are designed and built. Joining him there, we saw a new mosaic for San Lawrenz Cemetery taking shape.

First, a sketch is drawn and enlarged to scale. Mesh is placed over the design and small colourful Tesserae tiles are cut to size and secured into place to build up the picture.

This design represents an episode from The Book of Daniel, where three young men are thrown into a furnace by the King of Babylon for refusing to worship Pagan idols, before angels save them.

Fr Robert says; “It is fitting for a cemetery, teaching us God protects his beloved from perishing in death.

I drew the young men to bear a likeness to Christ, Christ in the passion, Christ crucified and Christ risen, to recall the mystery of Easter. You see art has this advantage – it can communicate on various levels. It is very symbolic.”

Now, back to the subject of Ta’ Pinu, where hundreds of people take photos of these mosaics daily.

We asked Father Robert how it feels to have your art seen and enjoyed by so many? “It is beautiful, and satisfying to know others consider it beautiful, and appreciate that it is holy, something sacred. In a way, it leaves a residue on the soul. But the sacred artist must always be secondary, without too much prominence.”

“The American Philosopher John Dewey said that a work of art is not finished with the task of the artist, because the creative process continues with everyone who looks upon it, or interacts with it. To me, this is wonderful, because it gives you the sense that the work of art is living, and that it evolves.”

With thanks to Father Robert Gauci, Father Gerry Buhagiar and Ta’ Pinu National Shrine.