The square next to Birgu Parish Church was called Ras il-Knejjes (the head of many churches) due to the presence of a cemetery with multiple churches. A section of the site was handed over to the Confraternity of the Holy Crucifix in the early 18th century for the construction of an Oratory. This hosted the meetings of its members and doubled up as store for the paraphernalia of the Good Friday Procession.

The Oratory

The first stone was laid by Parish Priest Carlo Colonia on 18 December 1720, while the inauguration and blessing was held by the same Parish Priest in the presence of Inquisitor Antonio Ruffo on 29 February 1724. The construction works were entrusted to master mason Francesco Zirafa.

The Façade

The façade is defined by pillars and counter pillars at each end, and by a central door reached via a flight of steps. Said door is crowned by the Confraternity’s coat of arms supported by two angels. A bellcote with three bells is located at roof level, while the small room served by a short flight of steps at the back of the Oratory is popularly known as ‘Heaven’ due to its former use as a storage of the Good Friday Statues.

The Oratory is also served by a secondary door along the south flank.

The Interior

The Baroque idiom dominates its internal ambience. Originally, it was dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, but in 1867, the titular painting was removed and replaced by the Crucifixion group, and has since been labelled the Holy Crucifix Oratory. A series of oval windows are inserted in the upper tier of the wall elevations, while the entire space is roofed over by a vault. Other noteworthy elements include the pipe-organ loft on the main door and two stone statues carved by Antonio Fabri. The encircling wooden bench for the members of the Confraternity and the prominent seat reserved for its leader were manufactured in 1757.

Works of Art

The corpus of artworks treasured in this Oratory includes six of the eight Good Friday processional statues, and the 1869 neoclassical niche hosting The Agony in the Garden.

Important Milestones

1720: laying of the first stone

1724: inauguration of the building

1726-57: embellishment of the then newly built Oratory, particularly the crafting of the sculptural decorations and the wooden bench

1867: replacement of titular painting with niche for the Crucifixion group

1869: construction of niche for The Agony in the Garden statue

1940: inflicting of significant damages by enemy bombing, and eventual reconstruction and redecoration project