3rd or 4th largest?

For a small island (14km x 7.25km) - roughly the size of Manhattan Island and with a population of some 35,000 - there are many churches. And not just small parish churches but ones of significant size and grandeur.

Today we went to Xewkija where, because the previous church was getting too small, they built a bigger one around it. The new Curch of St John the Baptist was completed in 1978, having been started in 1952. It is the third largest dome in Europe although on Malta they believe they have the 3rd largest at Mosta. Something to do with the difference between size, span and volume,

Whatever the facts are it is a huge modern construction. The interior is more plain but the statues and baroque altars from the former church were dismantled and rehoused in a chapel inside.

There is also a lift up to the base of the dome and you can walk around getting some wonderful views of the countryside - see extra for the view of the Citadel at Victoria. You can also get to climb the bell tower to right under the bells - just make sure you are not there for the hour/ quarter hours.

The odd shower of heavy rain today but mainly hot and sunny. Forecast changeable for the days ahead though.