Knisja tal-Madonna ta' Liesse

Knisja tal-Madonna ta' Liesse is a Baroque church in Malta, recognised for its rounded form, tiered pillars and shining dome. Built in 1740, it stands on the site of a sanctuary from 1620 and underwent restoration after war damage in 1942.

Inside, ornate columns, cornices and curved lines shape the church’s interior. A terracotta Madonna and Child preserves the devotion associated with Our Lady of Liesse. The church’s central legend follows three French knights captured in the Holy Land and Ismeria, the caliph’s daughter. After helping them gain freedom, Ismeria converted to Christianity upon receiving a miraculous image of the Madonna.

Above the main altar, a painting shows an angel appearing with the statue while the Virgin Mary and Child look on. French knights of the Order of St John brought this devotion from Picardie to Malta and built the church as their national spiritual home. Since 1961, the church has housed the Apostleship of the Sea, a place of comfort and spiritual care for sailors. The restored interior brings together architecture, legend and maritime devotion beneath the church’s distinctive dome.