The Pilgrim’s Monument has just been erected on the road leading to Ta’ Pinu. This monument, located about a kilometre away from Ta’ Pinu National Shrine, symbolises the way of the pilgrim. It consists of the symbol of the cross and the figure of Our Blessed Virgin Mary at the lower part of the structure.

Our Lady is indicating the way to the Sanctuary with her left hand, while giving her maternal blessing with her right hand. For christians the Blessed Virgin is the model pilgrim, since she was Jesus’s first follower.

Traditionally, pilgrimages start from different parts of Gozo and after meeting at this same place where this monument has been erected, together they continue the final kilometre of their pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu.

The monument has been made by Gozitan Raymond Bonello, using hard rock from Gozo. The mosaic was done by the Italian firm Favret Artistic Mosaics of Pietrasanta. The mosaics that adorn the National Shrine of Ta’ Pinu together with the marble satutes of the Way of the Cross that are on Ghammar hill where also made at Pietrasanta.

The cross, made up of hard rock, represents the pain that every pilgrim has to endure on his way to heaven. The concept and design of this monument are the work of Fr. Roberto Gauci.

This monument is being financed by the Ministry for Gozo, as part of the scheme ‘Public Art in Gozo,’ as part of the eco-Gozo project.

Photographs by Ta’ Pinu Archives.

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