Luqa

Dominating Luqa’s main square is the Parish Church of St Andrew, a landmark that reflects centuries of faith and resilience. The church’s origins date back to the late 15th century, though the present structure began taking shape in 1634, when Luqa became an independent parish. Its architecture features a Mannerist exterior and richly Baroque interior, inspired by Valletta’s St John’s Co-Cathedral.

Over the centuries the church was embellished with chapels, paintings, and ornate decorations, including masterpieces by Mattia Preti, among them the dramatic painting of St Andrew’s martyrdom. Severely damaged during World War II bombings, the church was painstakingly rebuilt between 1945 and 1954, and later reconsecrated in 1962.