The Granaries Square & St. Publius Church, Floriana

The vast open quadrangle in front of St. Publius Church is characterised by the number of underground silos for the storage of grain. The silos, which consist of deep bell-shaped pits, were dug during the grandmastership of Martino de Redin (1657-1660). They were intended as safe storage space during wars and sieges.

There are 76 of these pits in the Square; and similar ones are found in other parts of the Valletta-Floriana area. They are very deep and wide at their bottom end. The pits are secured by large circular stone caps which can be seen protruding above the square surface. More than 5,OOO tons of wheat and grain could be stored beneath the square.

The granaries have been in continual use since their construction. They proved to be very useful during the last war, when the island was under siege for more than two years. They are still in excellent condition for storage, but their importance has diminished since the building of a modem above-ground silo in 1962.

St. Publius Church, Floriana

ST.PUBLIS CHURCH
St. Publius was the First Citizen or Governor of Malta, during the Roman period. He was converted to Christianity in AD 60 by St. Paul, who was in captivity on the island. Tradition has it that Publius was consecrated first Bishop of Malta.

The people of Floriana chose Publius as their patron saint and dedicated to him their parish church. The first stone was laid in 1733 in the presence of Grand Master Vilhena, but owing to lack of funds, work on the structure was delayed. It was only in 1792 that the nave was completed and the building was then consecrated as a vice-parish church. It attained parochial status in 1856. Two new aisles were added, and a classical portico was completed in 1890.

The church suffered heavy damage during the war, but it was not long before it was fully rebuilt to its original glory.

The statue of St. Publius, which is carried in procession during the annual feast day, dates from 1815.

The graceful temple fronts Granaries Square which IS the venue of religious congregations and other gatherings of a social and political nature.

HOTELS AND RESORTS IN THE FLORIANA AREA

Excelsior Grand Hotel Malta *****
Hotel Phoenicia Malta *****

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The Granaries Square & St. Publius Church, Floriana

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