Having finished the first day of the pilgrimage, it is worth mentioning Rabat and Mdina have several other Marian devotions, some of which would be encountered on the 2nd day of the pilgrimage. But for those with the energy to continue a bit further at the end of their first day, the following are worth mentioning:
- Ta’ Giesu church: The Franciscan chruch, “Mary of Jesus”, which one encounters while walking from Rabat to Mdina. Franciscans have been in Rabat since the early 15th century.
- The Carmelite Convent and Church of the Annunciation in Mdina.
- The Altar of the Blessed Sacrament in the St Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral with its 13th century, Siculo-Romanesque icon of The Virgin and Child known as the Virgin of St Luke, at Mdina Cathedral.
St Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Mdina
Legend has it that the cathedral stands on the site where the Roman Governor, Publius, greeted the Apostle Paul, who evangelised Malta. The original church from Roman and Byzantine times was dedicated to Blessed Virgin Mary. However this was razed during the 9th century Arab invasion. Excavations suggest that during the Arab era the site may have been used as a mosque.

The current Cathedral building was built towards the end of the 17th century. It is considered to be the masterpiece of Maltese architect and artist Lorenzo Gafà. The incumbent bishop during the 1693 earthquake was Davide Rocco Palmieri, an Italian Bishop from the Order of St. John who rebuilt the Cathedral during the reign of Grandmaster Ramon Perellos y Roccafull. Their coats of arms are visible on the façade of the Cathedral as is that of the present incumbent bishop.
The Cathedral is built in the shape of a Latin cross and contains frescos and art by Vincenzo, Antonio and Francesco Manno , Giuseppe Gallucci, Giuseppe Calì, Mario Caffaro Rore and Victor Gesta.
Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady, Mdina
In the Cathedral piazza, corner with Triq Villegaignon, there is a corner statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, marking where the 17th century Carmelite priory stands, connected to the Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation.

Prior to the current, 17th century, church of the Annunciation there was an earlier chapel dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady and it was known as La Vergine della Rocca, as the Protectress of the Fort. This medieval chapel was incorporated into the current church immediately to the right of the main altar.
The current church building was built in the 17th century. As a result of the 1793 Sicilian earthquake, the church of the Annunciation housed the Cathedral Chapter until the new Cathedral was built. Almost a century later, the revolt against the French started from this church. Close to the Mdina Gate there is a plaque commemorating the names of the Maltese during the uprising in Mdina.
The church contains artistic works, paintings and sculptures by Mattia Preti, Stefano Erardi, Michele Bellanti and Giuseppe Calì, Pietro Paolo Troisi, and Andrea Imbroll.