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Discover the religious heart of Maltese culture with the new Pilgrimage

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Malta Tourism Authority’s series of themed maps introduced a new addition this year; the Pilgrimage Trail, which showcases the most beautiful churches and religious spots across the archipelago. With more than 360 churches and chapels scattered across Malta and Gozo, the religious sites highlighted in the map form an integral part of the country’s history, landscape and skyline – they are at the heart of Maltese social and cultural life. 

Malta is believed to be the first country to be converted to Christianity, when St Paul was shipwrecked on the Islands in AD 60. St. Paul’s grotto is still visited by thousands of tourists each year. Malta was ruled by the knights of St. John during the 16th and 18th centuries and today remains one of the most devout Catholic countries in the world. 

The Pilgrimage Trail firmly plants the capital, Valletta, and the islands as one of Europe’s top pilgrimage hot spots and a must-visit religious destination for 2019.

Highlights include:

  • Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Valletta – the silhouette of the buildings 42-metre high oval dome dominates the skyline and is home to a painting of Our Lady of Mount Carmel dating back to the 17th century.
  • St John’s Co Cathedral, Valletta – The jaw dropping interior, elaborately created by Mattia Preti is widely considered to be the best example of baroque style in Europe. The magnificent cathedral is also home to the only signed Caravaggio painting in the world.
  • St Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina – Founded in the 17th century, the cathedral is widely believed to be a Lorenzo Gafa masterpiece. The cathedral stands tall in the middle of ‘the silent city’ and it’s façade impresses visitors as they emerge from Mdina’s narrow streets.
  • Cathedral of Assumption, Gozo – Dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, the impressive structure is situated in Cittadella of Victoria in Gozo. The church is more than 300 years old, completed 1711, and boasts a beautiful baroque exterior.
  • Our Lady on Ta’Pinu, Gozo – In 1883 a woman from the village of Għarb, Karmni Grima, heard the voice of Our Lady at the small chapel that then occupied this site. It rapidly became the center of pilgrimage and the number of visitors soon overwhelmed the little church. Today’s monumental shrine to Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu was built between 1920 and 1931 and was heralded as an architectural masterpiece. The sanctuary was constructed in front of the original chapel.

For more information on religious sites, visit visitmalta.com

About Malta

The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere.  Valletta built by the proud Knights of St. John is one of the UNESCO sites and the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta’s patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire’s most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Malta Tourism Authority:

Michelle Buttigieg

Tel: (212) 213-0944

Fax: (212) 213-0938

E-mail: michelle-margaret.buttigieg@visitmalta.com

MTA US Editorial Contact:

The Bradford Group

Karen Hoffman/ Bianca Pappas

Tel: (212) 447-0027

Fax: (212) 725 8253

E-mail: info@brafordglobalmarketing.com

Gabriela Reyes

Public Relations Coordinator 

The Bradford Group

347 Fifth Ave. Suite 1205

New York, New York 10016

T (212) 447-0027

F (212) 725-8253

gabrielar@bradfordglobalmarketing.com

www.bradfordglobalmarketing.com

Pope Francis appoints Tanzanian prelate to represent the Vatican in New Zealand

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Pope Francis has appointed the Tanzanian born prelate, Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa, as Apostolic Nuncio to New Zealand and Apostolic Delegate to the countries of the Pacific Ocean.

The Pontiff had appointed Archbishop Rugambwa a few days ago to represent the Holy See in New Zealand and the Pacific Ocean countries after serving Sao Tome and Principe, Angola, and Tagaria – all in Africa.

Ranking takes place among African nationals serving the Holy See in different capacities.

Archbishop Rugambwa was born in Western Tanzania in 1957 then ordained a priest in 1986 and Archbishop in 2010.

He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1991 and has served in Nunciatures in Panama, Republic of Congo, Pakistan, New Zealand, Indonesia, Angola, and Honduras.

For a period of time, he was also Under Secretary of the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.

Archbishop Rugambwa has diplomatic experience in Panama, the Republic of Congo, Pakistan, Indonesia and he previously served as secretary to the Apostolic Nuncio in Wellington, New Zealand. He holds a degree in Canon Law.

He replaces the previous nuncio Archbishop Martin Krebs who last year was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Uruguay.

President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, Bishop Patrick Dunn, said: “We’re delighted with the appointment of Archbishop Rugambwa and warmly welcome him back to our shores in his new role. Our prayers are with him as he prepares for his move and we look forward to working with him in the years ahead.”

Archbishop Rugambwa entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in July 1991 and then served in the Pontifical diplomatic missions in Panama, Republic of Congo, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Indonesia.

He was named Sub-Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants in June 2007, then elected Titular Archbishop of Tagaria, and at the same time named Apostolic Nuncio to São Tomé and Príncipe in February 2010, the position he served before moving to New Zealand.

The Catholic Church has been among key partners in tourism, playing a pivotal role to attract visitors from other parts of the world to visit Africa in different missions.

The Church in collaboration with other churches are promoting and organizing pilgrimage trips to Holy places mostly in Israel, Spain, Rome, and North Africa.

Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran missionaries are counted the first travelers who entered Africa then opened routes to the modern tourist industry which African countries are working hard to develop.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Indian Hotels Company announces new hotel in Rishikesh

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The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), a South Asian hospitality company, introduced the Taj brand in Rishikesh with the opening of Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa, Uttarakhand. This will be the company’s third hotel in the state.

The resort is located 30 kilometers from Rishikesh. “Rishikesh is an extremely popular destination across the world. We are delighted to partner with The Indian Hotels Company Limited. We look forward to working with them to bring the legendary Taj brand to this unique location,” said Mr. Arjun Mehra, Managing Director, Darrameks Hotels & Developers Pvt. Ltd.

Rishikesh is a small town in the northern state of Uttarakhand in India located where the Holy Ganges River comes down from the Himalayas. The town catapulted to Western fame when the Beatles dropped by for a visit to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Ashram. Rishikesh is associated with Lord Rama and Laxman.

The town of Rishikesh lies in the foothills of the Himalayas of the Garhwal region. It is the gateway to the upper Garhwal region and the starting point for the Char Dham pilgrimage (Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath) and an ideal destination not only for pilgrims but also for the people who are interested in adventure, meditation, yoga, and other aspects of Hinduism.

Rishikesh is also a Gateway to the World Heritage site Valley of Flowers National Park – The 8th Wonder of the World & Char Dham Yatra.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Discover religious heart of Maltese culture with new Pilgrimage Trail

by

The Malta Tourism Authority’s series of themed maps has a new addition – the Pilgrimage Trail, which showcases the most beautiful churches and religious spots across the archipelago.

With more than 360 churches and chapels scattered across Malta and Gozo, the religious sites highlighted in the map form an integral part of the country’s history, landscape and skyline – they are at the heart of Maltese social and cultural life.

Malta is believed to be the first country to be converted to Christianity, when St Paul was shipwrecked on the Islands in AD 60 and his grotto is still visited by thousands of tourists each year. Between the 16th and 18th centuries Malta was ruled by the Knight’s of St.John and still today remains one of the most devoutly Catholic countries in the world.

The Pilgrimage Trail firmly plants the capital, Valletta, and the islands as one of Europe’s top pilgrimage hot spots and a must-visit religious destination for 2019.

Highlights include:

• Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Valletta – the silhouette of the buildings 42-metre high oval dome dominates the skyline and is home to a painting of Our Lady of Mount Carmel dating back to the 17th century.

• St John’s Co Cathedral, Valletta – The jaw dropping interior, elaborately created by Mattia Preti is widely considered to be the best example of baroque style in Europe. The magnificent cathedral is also home to the only signed Caravaggio painting in the world.

• St Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina – Founded in the 17th century, the cathedral is widely believed to be a Lorenzo Gafa masterpiece. The cathedral stands tall in the middle of ‘the silent city’ and it’s façade impresses visitors as they emerge from Mdina’s narrow streets.

• Cathedral of Assumption, Gozo – Dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, the impressive structure is situated in Cittadella of Victoria in Gozo. The church is more than 300 years old, completed 1711, and boasts a beautiful baroque exterior.

• Our Lady on Ta’Pinu, Gozo – In 1883 a woman from the village of Għarb, Karmni Grima, heard the voice of Our Lady at the small chapel that then occupied this site. It rapidly became a center of pilgrimage and the number of visitors soon overwhelmed the little church. Today’s monumental shrine to Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu was built between 1920 and 1931 and is heralded as an architectural masterpiece. The sanctuary was constructed in front of the original chapel.

Travel News | eTurboNews