The parish was established on 2 July 1571 by a decree given by Pope Pius
V, considered as the benefactor of the construction of Valletta. It was
dedicated to Our Lady of Safe Haven because of the great number of sailors who
used to go to the small chapel that the Dominicans had built prior to the
construction of the large church in order to thank the Mother of God upon their
safe return to harbour after long and dangerous sea voyages.
It was also declared that the parish of St Dominic would be the
principal parish church of the city.
The church was elevated to the dignity of a Minor basilica on 25 March
1816. The church was finally consecrated on 15 October 1889 by Archbishop
Pietro Pace.
The church building is listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural
Property of the Maltese Islands.
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