Noel Muscat, OFM, details how the Franciscan Friars Minor received a plot of land in Valletta on May 18, 1571 on which they built the Santa Maria di Gesù church, better known as Ta’ Ġieżu
The crucifix during restoration works led by Fr Charles Vella in 2019.
On May 18, 1571, the Franciscan Friars Minor, at the time known as the Friars Minor of the Regular Observance, received a plot of land from Grand Master Pietro Del Monte close to Porta del Monte (today’s Victoria Gate), in Valletta, on which they were to build their second church and friary in Malta after the church and friary of Santa Maria di Gesù, in Rabat, where they settled in 1500 after lengthy preparations going back to 1482.