Gozo Religious Niches: A Review of Nicċeċ – Volume 1

In the bustling capital of Gozo, amidst the grandeur of the Citadel and the vibrant noise of the festas, a quieter history observes the passersby from the limestone walls.

This history is the subject of Rob Polli’s photographic book, Nicċeċ – Volume 1 – Victoria, a visual documentation of the religious niches that define the island’s streetscapes.

A Photographic Tribute to "Theology in Limestone"

Authored by Rob Polli, who returned to the Maltese islands after a thirty-year career in the UK, the book serves as a tribute to the "silent witnesses" of Gozo’s past. The volume documents forty-three of Victoria’s sacred street shrines, capturing the meeting point of craft, devotion, and history.

Polli’s objective is technical as well as artistic:

• Bringing Details to Earth: Many niches are high on building façades, invisible to the naked eye.

• Specialized Equipment: Polli uses professional gear to reveal textures and artistry that are usually hidden from street level.

The Subjects of Devotion

The book acts as a "guide to the sacred figures" found throughout Victoria (Rabat). The iconography reflects the island's unique spiritual character:

• The Virgin Mary: Depicted as the Immaculate Conception, the Madonna of Sorrows, and the Madonna of Ta’ Pinu.

• St. Joseph: Gozo’s "everyman saint," representing the protector of families.

• The Saints: Figures like St. Aloysius Gonzaga and St. Francis, representing virtues of purity and humility.

The text describes these niches not merely as statues, but as "theology in limestone"—a daily conversation between heaven and home.

Preserving a Vanishing Heritage

A central theme of Nicċeċ is preservation. Polli notes that while many niches remain steadfast, others are "casualties of overdevelopment or simple lack of care."

Then (History)	Now (Context)
Served as landmarks for travelers.	Acts as a living map of devotion.
Lit by oil lamps for safety.	Vulnerable to renovation and elements.
Practical "safe points" at night.	A "gesture of belonging" for the community.

Contextualizing Victoria

The book contrasts the silence of stone niches with Victoria’s "blaze of colour" during the major summer festas of St. George and the Assumption of Mary. While the island celebrates with carnivals and fireworks, these niches remain a constant, gentle presence.

Detailed spreads from the book provide historical context and technical photography of sacred shrines found throughout Victoria’s streets.

Future Volumes

Nicċeċ – Volume 1 is only the beginning. Polli intends to continue the series, documenting religious niches across other districts in Gozo and Malta to record the entire "spiritual geography" of the islands.

Conclusion

Nicċeċ offers a unique lens through which to view Victoria. It proves that Gozo’s holiness is not confined to its churches but is woven into the very fabric of its streets—where stone meets faith on every threshold and balcony.