Il-Madonna taċ-Ċiċri niche

One of the typical characteristics of Maltese and Gozitan streetscapes
are the niches that decorate houses. These niches are usually made of
local globigerina limestone. However other materials such as wood
and wrought iron were also used. Usually, the niches would contain a
statue and in some cases paintings or other devotional images. Street
niches are usually either located at houses’ corners or on the main
facades. The former were especially encouraged during the Knights’
period. An example is the city of Valletta, where the erection of corner
street niches was part of the planning regulations issued by the Order
of St. John.
Along the streets of Żebbuġ one finds several devotional niches. These
include the niche dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus(on the corner
between Ġoma Street and Dun Franġisk Vella Street), the very ornate
one dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes (Point Street) and finally the
niche dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua (Triq il-Madonna taċ-Ċiċri).

However, one of the oldest street niches in Żebbuġ is located in Triq il-
Madonna taċ-Ċiċri, named after the same niche. This niche is not just

an architectural feature like many others. Its erection stems from an
alleged “miracle” that happened in the 18th century. It is said that in
1795, a man locally nicknamed Iċ-Ċiċri made a vow to the Virgin

regarding finding a good supply of fresh water in a well he was digging
in his house. In case of a positive outcome he promised he would erect
a niche on the façade of his house. He actually found water and the
niche still stands in its original place to tell the story of its creator.

Crowned by a triangular pediment, the niche is a typical example of
Maltese Baroque vernacular street decoration. The street where the
niche is located, now named Triq il-Madonna taċ-Ċiċri was previously
known as Gram Street and Triq Ċiċri. The niche dominates the central
part of the façade and the house, that is privately owned, is a typical
village dwelling. Coincidently, the house overlooks at a distance, the

alabaster quarry at Taċ-Ċaqra. The source of water discovered by Iċ-
Ċiċri might have easily been the source which has – over millions of

years – created the alabaster. The latter is produced through the
seeping of freshwater and calcium carbonate into the rock.

Photo credits: Mario Cassar

About the author of the research of the heritage trail

Mario Cassar was born in Żebbuġ in 1975. He is an artist, educator, designer and collector. He graduated in art history, the history of mediterranean civilization, the maltese language and in artistic pedagogy at masters level at the University of Malta. He has been leading the visual arts section of Sir M. A. Refalo Sixth Form (Gozo) since 1997. He lectured on several topics in various faculties and centres of the University of Malta, including the philosophy of art, contemporary design and the appreciation of art and antiques. He is a founding member of the Banda Santa Marija Philharmonic Society and ex-deputy mayor of Żebbuġ. He is also the curator of Riħ id Deheb Historical House and Natural Grotto. He is married to Pauline and has two children.

Dwar l-awtur tar-riċerka tal-Heritage Trail

Mario Cassar twieled iż-Żebbuġ fl-1975. Huwa artist, edukatur, disinjatur u kollezzjonist. Huwa gradwat fl-istorja tal-arti, fil-Malti u fil-pedagoġija artistika f’livell ta’ Masters ġewwa l-Universita’ ta’ Malta. Ilu jmexxi s-sezzjoni tal-arti viżiva ta’ Sir M. A. Refalo Sixth Form mill-1997, fejn hu lettur. Għallem f’diversi fakultajiet u ċentri tal-Universita’ ta’ Malta, fejn fost l-oħrajn għallem il-filosofija tal-arti, id-disinn kontemporanju u l-apprezzament tal-arti u tal-antikita’. Huwa membru fundatur tas-Soċjeta’ Filarmonika Banda Santa Marija u ex-viċi sindku taż-Żebbuġ. Huwa wkoll il-kuratur tad-dar storika Riħ id-Deheb. Huwa miżżewweġ lil Pauline u għandu żewġt itfal.

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