Bormla

One of Bormla’s greatest treasures is the titular statue of the Immaculate Conception, housed in the town’s collegiate church. The original wooden figure was sculpted around 1680 by Suor Maria De Domenicis, a Carmelite Tertiary and pupil of Mattia Preti. In 1905, it was dramatically transformed when parts of the figure were clad in silver by the renowned Milanese firm Antonio Ghezzi e Figli, following designs by Abram Gatt. Today the statue is a striking mix of wood and silver, weighing around 30kg of precious metal. Recently restored, the work has regained much of its original detail and splendour, making it a centrepiece of devotion and artistry admired during the annual December festa.