Valletta Cruise Port plc (formerly VISET Malta plc) is a limited liability company which took over the cruise and ferry terminal operations following an international tender issued by the Government of Malta in 1996. Valletta Cruise Port was awarded the project and the formal agreement was signed on the 23rd of November 2001.
On 21 November 1943, Rev. Carmelo Xuereb was officially installed as the third Parish Priest of Kalkara. His main duty was to rebuild the Parish Church and the community of Kalkara after these were destroyed through World War II. In 1944 a temporary church was inaugurated in the ex-Malta Gas Works stores. During this period, a new design for the new Parish Church was approved. This was made by Chev. Vincenzo Bonello with the necessary help of Joseph D’Amato. Having a neo-classical design, the new Parish Church was to be built in another place from where it previously stood. Thus, Archbishop Mons. Michael Gonzi bought a piece of land known as tal-Għeżieli near the strand of Kalkara.
The first stone of the new church was blessed on 13 October 1946 and it took nearly six years to be fully built up. All the residents of Kalkara gave a helping hand in this project, even women and children. The building is a masterpiece in sculpture in Maltese globigerina limestone. Meanwhile, on 13 March 1949, the new titular statue representing Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church arrived in Kalkara through a pilgrimage from nearby Cospicua. This statue is also a masterpiece in wood and was sculptured by the renowned artist Ferdinando Stuflesser in Bolzano, Italy through a design of Chev. Vincenzo Bonello. With this statue, another one representing Our Lady of Lourdes was also commissioned.
The new church was duly finished by 7 September 1952 when it was blessed by Mons. Gonzi. The same Archbishop celebrated the first mass in it few moments after the blessing. However, after 1952, the new Parish Church began to be decorated by other works of art. In 1953 Mr. Loreto Mintoff donated a fine marble high-altar for the church from Pietrasanta in Italy. Other works of art such as the marble pulpit, the marble pavement of the church, the Via Sacra, among others were duly blessed in future years. The new Parish Church was consecrated on 12 December 1954. In future years further works of art have been made to decorate “one of the most splendid churches built after World War II”.
Image above shows KALKARA PARISH CHURCH back to 23rd December 2009.
Monday 17th September, 2018.
At 2248 hrs SEABOURN ENCORE left Valletta from Pinto 4 and 5 wharves.
Tuesday 18th September, 2018.
From 1228 to 2021 hrs the 1998 built BHS flag cruise liner NORWEGIAN SPIRIT was berthed at Pinto 1 and 2 wharves.
Vessel was represented in Malta by SMS Shipping Agency – www.sms.com.mt
Wednesday 19th September, 2018.
From 0630 to 1802 hrs the 2018 built MLT flag cruise liner MSC SEAVIEW was at Valletta berthed at Pinto 1 and 2 wharves.
From 1239 to 1929 hrs the 2004 built PAN flag cruise liner MSC OPERA was at Valletta berthed at Pinto 4 and 5 wharves.
Thursday 20th September, 2018.
From 0518 to 2237 hrs the 2000 built BMU flag cruise liner OCEANA was at Valletta berthing at Pinto 1 and 2 wharves.
From 0714 to 1720 hrs the 2004 built BHS flag passenger ship JEWEL OF THE SEAS was at Valletta berthed at Pinto 1 and 2 Wharves.
Vessel was represented in Malta by SMS Shipping Agency – www.sms.com.mt
From 0857 to 2257 hrs the 1943 built MLT flag classic superyacht CHRISTINA O was at Valletta berthed at Pinto 3 Wharf.
Friday 21st September, 2018.
From 0634 to 1703 hrs the 1998 built BHS flag cruise liner VISION OF THE SEAS was at Valletta berthed at Pinto 1 and 2 wharves.
Vessel was represented in Malta by SMS Shipping Agency – www.sms.com.mt
From 0720 to 2306 hrs the 2002 built BHS flag cruise liner CRYSTAL SERENITY was at Valletta berthed at Pinto 4 and 5 wharves.
At 1712 hrs the 1960 built VCT flag Passenger Ship SERENISSIMA entered Valletta berthing at Pinto 2 Wharf after earlier on she was anchored off Mgarr Harbour, Gozo.
Saturday 22nd September, 2018.
At 0712 hrs the 2008 built MLT flag passenger ship ARETHUSA entered Valletta berthing at Pinto 3 Wharf.
At 2112 hrs SERENISSIMA left Valletta from Pinto 2 Wharf.
Sunday 23rd September, 2018.
From 0317 to 2252 hrs the 1997 built MLT flag MEIN SCHIFF 2 was at Valletta berthing at Pinto 1 and 2 wharves.
From 0711 to 1813 hrs the 2012 built MLT flag cruise liner CELEBRITY REFLECTION was at Valletta berthed at Pinto 1 and 2 wharves.
Both vessels were represented in Malta by SMS Shipping Agency – www.sms.com.mt
Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli. Do not use these images without my permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com