Irħam aħmar ġewwa Knisja tal-Lunzjata tal-Madonna - Red marble inside the church of the Annunciation of the Madonna
This Earthcache will show you beautiful red marble inside the Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady, or in maltese: Knisja tal-Lunzjata tal-Madonna
In fact, inside the stunning marble interior, you will find lots of red marble columns but also a particularly beautiful statue of the young virgin Mary, also cut out of marble.
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1. Where does the red marble in this church come from? What are your conclusions based on?
2. Compare several columns. Do you see any veins or patterns? Do they appear repeatedly or are they unique? Do the marble columns all have the same color, shape, and texture? Explain your opinion in your own words.
3. Take a look around inside the church and describle, if there could be found only red marble or may be other colors, too If so, which colors do you identify?
4. A picture of your team, your mascot or GPS inside the church without spoiling the answers is mandatory.
Formation of Red marble
Red marble forms when limestone undergoes metamorphism under intense heat and pressure, a process that takes millions of years. The red color comes from iron oxide impurities, such as hematite, in the original limestone, which oxidize to create red, brown, and pink hues. These impurities and variations in the original rock create the unique patterns and veining seen in red marble.
The Metarmorphism process
Metamorphism: The process begins with limestone, which is then subjected to immense heat and pressure over millions of years. This metamorphic process causes the minerals in the limestone to recrystallize.
Iron impurities: The presence of iron oxide and other iron-rich minerals in the original limestone is what gives the resulting marble its red color.
Oxidation: During the metamorphic process, dissolved iron from water can infiltrate the stone and oxidize, or "rust," causing the reddish-brown streaks and overall color.
Unique patterns: The specific mineral impurities, the conditions of heat and pressure, and variations in the original limestone lead to the distinct veining and patterns, such as swirls and speckled designs, that make each piece of red marble unique.
Red marble at Malta in general
The red marble found in maltese churches is typically an imported marble, mostly originating from Italy, and is not a local rock formation. While Malta has abundant local limestone, its local stone is not red. The red marble is likely sourced from other regions for decorative purposes, as the local Upper Coralline Limestone formation can sometimes be red and white.
Local stone: The bedrock of Malta is predominantly limestone, including the local, honey-colored Globigerina limestone and the harder Upper Coralline Limestone. These are typically used for building or road construction and are not the same high-quality red marble used for interior decoration.
Imported stone: The red marble used for columns and decorative features or carvings in maltese churches is always an imported material from Italy (or sometimes France.)
Red marble at The Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady
The Baroque-style church (also known as the Carmelite Church in Mdina) was built between 1660 and 1675 and features striking red marble in its interior, particularly in its columns. The church is richly decorated with paintings, gold leaf, and sculptures in addition to the red marble features. The interior of the church includes columns made of pure red marble.
Sources:
https;//zstonecreations.com/how-is-marble-formed/
www.abdstone.com/info/does-red-marble-exists-102928818-html
www.edisonstone.com.au/what-are-the-red-streaks-in-slabs-of-marble.html
www.visitmalta.com/en/attraction/church-nativity-our-lady/