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Between the villages of Siġġiewi, Rabat and Dingli there is a hamlet called “tal-Fawwara”. Its name is derived from an old spring, known for the generosity of its flowing water. This picturesque area still retains much of its natural beauty not yet destroyed by development.
To reach this place one is to take the road that leads to Rabat from Siġġiewi. On the way, look out for a statue of the souls in purgatory, and then take a left turn and keep on going further until reaching two chapels. The first chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of the Annunciation and the second one is dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The latter is built above the Fawwara spring.
Historians tell us that Fawwara is not only known for its beauty and spring water but also for its chequered history and legends, found in the writings of Fr Francis Cilia (d. 1864) and kept in the archives of the Cathedral of Mdina.
The most widely known legends date back to the 13th century. Fr Cilia relates the horrible details about how the Arabs tortured and killed seven young girls who all lived in Fawwara between 1270 and 1280, and who no matter how much they were tortured, would not give up their Christian faith.
He also noted that under the rule of tyrant Ali Sid, the last of the Arab commanders left by the Normans after their arrival on the Maltese islands, more than 2,000 men and women were killed.
On another note, a more pleasant legend relates the drought that struck the village at the beginning of the 17th century. This dried up the spring water reserves. The lack of rain caused a lot of concern, especially for the farmers of the area. Among those affected was Ġlorma Ciantar, who owned many fields in the area. Ġlorma made a promise to Our Lady that, if the water of the spring came back, she would build a chapel dedicated to Her in one of her fields.
Soon after her petition, water began to gush out, more than ever before, and farmers began to rest assured that their livelihood was safe. Ġlorma visited notary Pietro Paolo Vincella on March 5, 1616, and gave him enough money to build a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This generous woman also left money for every girl bearing the surname of Ciantar who got married on a particular day. These young women would receive a sum of money to assist them at the start of their new life.
Ġlorma left the chapel in the care of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Charity set up in the church of St Paul’s Shipwreck in Valletta. A marble plaque on the outside of this chapel commemorates this donation.
Another marble plaque mentions that the chapel was rebuilt in 1669 by the same confraternity. It is believed that in 1756, the chapel was renovated and took on the appearance that it has today.
It has a square-shaped form and on its four pillars rests a small dome without a spire. This particular style is similar to that of the Annunciation chapel found nearby. Next to the dome a small bell tower with one bell was used to call nearby farmers to Mass.
The church is still in a very good condition. Adjoining the chapel is a small house whose lower level is used as a sacristy. On the portico of the chapel door there is a coat of arms belonging to the Confraternity of Our Lady of Charity. Above it there is another coat of arms belonging to the Ciantar family, a reminder of the benefactors of this chapel.
This coat of arms was recently restored, bringing out the detail in it. Above the coat of arms is a large window that throws light on the inner altar. A small parvis surrounds the chapel, with a beautiful view of the fields and the sea. The island of Filfla can also be seen from here.
On entering the chapel one’s gaze falls on the main altar. It is the only part of the chapel that is painted. The altar is made of stone, wood and canvas, bearing a beautiful coat of arms of Nome di Maria surrounded by lilies painted on it.
Above the altar is a wonderful titular painting, made in 1674 by an unknown artist. It depicts Our Lady of Mount Carmel with the Child Jesus in her arms, both holding a scapular. Below them are the figures of St Jerome and St Catherine of Alexandria, looking up towards them.
Below these saints are two brothers wearing capirotes. An emblem of Charitas separates them. St Jerome was probably included in the painting to remind us of the benefactor Ġlorma Ciantar. In the past this painting attracted many devout people. Above this masterpiece is a plaque with the words Regina Decor Carmeli (Queen of Carmel).
To the left of the altar, in a small niche, there is a lovely wooden statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel that was carved in the mid-20th century in Bolzano, Italy. This statue is dressed in Carmelite clothing and the scapulars held by Our Lady and Jesus are both made of cloth.
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