The first church in honour of St Julian on the peninsula of Isla dates back to 1311. It gave its name to the same neighbourhood which started to be known as St Julian’s Hill. In 1539, then, the Knight and military Engineer Fra Diego de Malfreirre, took the initiative to built it anew. Evidently, the designs were authored by the same de Malfreirre. In the meantime, the population count of Isla was increasing rapidly, and this church proved to be very convenient for the pastoral administrators. Its finest hour, nonetheless, unfolded in 1565, when the inhabitants and valiant defenders of Isla found great spiritual refuge within its walls. Indeed, in 1575, the Apostolic Visitor Pietro Dusina declared it Vice-Parish of Birgu. This arrangement remained in force until 1581, when the first Parish Church of Isla was completed (see: The Nativity of Our Lady Basilica, Isla) Eventually, in 1624, Bishop Baldassare Cagliares offered the Church of St Julian to the Augustinian Fathers who did not seem to have been particularly keen to extend their services to Isla and pulled out within six months.
Present Church
The then St Julian’s Church, like many buildings across the Maltese Islands, sustained significant damages from the 1693 earthquake. The decision to build the present church was therefore taken in 1699. Lorenzo Gafà was entrusted with the drafting of the plans, and the present edifice was completed and made available for use in 1712.
Fortunately, the church survived World War II practically unscathed even if most of the surrounding buildings were reduced to piles of stones by the destructive enemy bombs.
Exterior
The main façade is dominated by a large round-headed and framed door, fronted by a short flight of steps and crowned by a pediment. A squarish window lies immediately above it, while the summit of the elevation is demarcated by a cornice and a pediment. Two other distinguishing elements comprise the coat of arms of Bishop Davide Cocco Palmieri placed above the door and the statue of St Paul adorning the right-hand corner.
Interior
Gafà’s skills are amply manifested in the design and detailing of St Julian’s Church, in particular the balanced layout, the proportions of the pilasters and cornices, and the modelling of the eliptical dome. The resultant homogeniety is further enhanced by the main and side altars. The former boasts of an elegant reredos and an interesting painting of St Julian by Giovanni Battista Bonomo, clad in armour and standing tall in front of the Cottonera fortifications. It also features the inscription “Protegam Civitatem Istam” (I will protect this City). The side altars are dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows and St Vincent de Paul.
St Julian’s Church is also adorned by an organ loft.
Milestones
1311: building of first church in honour of St Julian on the Isla peninsula
1539: rebuilding of church
1575-81: employment as Vice-Parish of Birgu
1693: infliction of considerable structural damages
1699: demolition of church
1712: completion of present edifice
1729: construction of belltower
1868: sculpting of St Paul’s statue
1943-7: hosting of the Redeemer effigy until completion of restoration works of the Holy Crucifix Oratory
2001: restoration of interior
2016: restoration of exterior
