Cospicua experiences

Cospicua, is a title given to the city of Bormla as it is known to the Maltese. It is a double-fortified harbour city on the Mediterranean island of Malta. It is the largest of the Three Cities. It was also given a title as Citta' Cottonera, but erroneously the title is now used to define the whole region. It is situated between the other two towns which make up Cottonera which are Vittoriosa (Birgu) and Senglea (Isla). These three towns form part of the area surrounding the Grand Harbour and are found on the eastern side of the capital city Valletta. Its population is of 5,642 .

Cospicua celebrates its feast which is held annually on 8 December in honour of the Immaculate Conception.

Cospicua's football team is the St. George's F.C., the oldest on the island. Though the club was officially founded in 1890, documentation shows that by 1885 there were already three football teams at Cospicua.

Tourist attractions

1. Bir Mula Heritage - an ethnography, social history, anthropology museum and cultural venue
2. Churches
3. Fortifications
4. The Georgian Architecture at the Dock area
5. Local streets and alleys

Bormla Main Roads

1. Misraħ Gavino Gulia (Gavino Gulia Square)
2. Triq il-Ġdida (New Street)
3. Triq il-Ġublew tal-Fidda (Silver Jubile Street)
4. Triq il-Kottonera (Cottonera Road)
5. Triq il-Kunċizzjoni (Conception Street)
6. Triq it-Tliet Ibliet (Three Cities Road)
7. Triq l-Immakulata (Immacualte Street)
8. Triq San Franġisk (St Frances Street)
9. Triq San Gorg (St. George's Street)
10. Triq San Ġwann t'Għuxa
11. Triq San Nikola (St Nicholas Street)
12. Triq San Pawl (St Paul Street)
13. Triq Santa Tereża (St Theresa Street)
14. Triq Wiġi Rosato (Luigi Rosato Street)
15. Xatt ta' Bormla (Cospicua Strand)

Bormla Streets that show the Roman Catholic Faith

1. Bieb Santa Liena (St. Helen Gate)
2. Misraħ Santa Margerita (St. Margerith Square)
3. Sqaq il-Kunċizzjoni (Immaculate Conception Alley)
4. Sqaq l-Erwieħ (Souls Alley)
5. Sqaq l-Oratorju Nru. 1 u Nru.2 (Oratory Alley No.1 and No.2)
6. Sqaq San Ġorġ (St. George Alley)
7. Sqaq San Lazzru (St. Lazzarus Alley)
8. Sqaq San Mikiel Nru. 1 u Nru.2 (St. Micheal Alley No.1 and No.2)
9. Sqaq Santa Liena (St. Helen Alley)
10. Sqaq Santa Tereża (St. Theresa Alley)
11. Sur San Ġwann (St. John Bastion)
12. Sur San Klement (St. Clement Bastion)
13. Sur San Nikola (St. Nicholas Bastion)
14. Sur San Pawl (St. Paul Bastion)
15. Sur Santa Liena (St. Helen Bastion)
16. Triq il-Kampnar (Bell Cot Street)
17. Triq il-Kunċizzjoni (Immaculate Conception Street)
18. Triq il-Madonna tal-Grazzja (Our Lady of Graces Street)
19. Triq il-Pellegrinaġġ (Pilgrimage Street)
20. Triq is-Sur Notre Dame (Notre Dame Bastion Street)
21. Triq l-Immakulata (Immaculate Street)
22. Triq l-Oratorju (Oratory Street)
23. Triq San Franġisk (St. Frances Street)
24. Triq San Ġorġ (St. George Street)
25. Triq San Ġużepp (St. Joseph Street)
26. Triq San Ġwann (St. John Street)
27. Triq San Ġwann t'Għuxa (St. John the Baptist Street)
28. Triq San Lazzru (St. Lazzarus Street)
29. Triq San Mark (St. Mark Street)
30. Triq San Mikiel (St. Micheal Street)
31. Triq San Nikola (St. Nicholas Street)
32. Triq San Pawl (St. Paul Street)
33. Triq San Rokku (St. Rocco Street)
34. Triq Sant' Andrija (St. Andrew Street)
35. Triq Santa Liena (St. Helen Street)
36. Triq Santa Margerita (St. Margerith Street)
37. Triq Santa Marija (St. Mary Street)
38. Triq Santa Tereża (St. Theresa Street)
39. Triq tal-Karmnu (Our Lady of Monte Carmel Street)
40. Wesgħa l-Knisja tan-Nattività (Nativity Church Square)
41. Żona Fuq San Pawl (Above St. Paul Area)
42. Żona San Ġwann t'Għuxa (St. John Area)

Fgura experiences

Fgura is a town in Malta. It is one of the 68 local councils.On the surface, Fgura appears to be a new town built around the 1960s. But its outward appearance belies ancient origins. The town has prehistoric roots - there are several tombs in the area - and there is evidence to suggest it was a settlement in Phoenician times. The evidence is that between the 28th of October and the 21st of December 1948, 6 Phoenician tombs were found in Fgura - mostly in Liedna Street. These tombs go back to the 3rd or 4th century B.C. These tombs were in irregular shapes and human skeletons, remains of animals, pottery and other Bronze materials and objects were found. In Fgura, a street was named 'Triq is-Sejba Punika' - in English 'Phoeneician Finding Street' - in honour of this historical finding.

Fgura, lying inland from the Three Cities, was influenced by the growth of the dockyards, especially after World War II. Its northern fringes are bordered by the Cottonera Lines of fortifications while it merges with the towns of Żabbar to the south and Tarxien to the West. Today, Fgura has one of the highest population densities in the country. It expanded recently on the outskirts of the Grand Harbour area and was one of the fastest-growing towns of Malta. Fgura has grown to become one of the foremost commercial areas in the central-southern part of the island.

The coat-of-arms of Fgura is made up of a red horizontal stripe containing three golden 5-pointed stars, centred across a white background. The patron saint of Fgura is Our Lady of Mount Carmel and an annual feast in her honour is celebrated on the second Sunday of July. Fgura also has one of the most peculiar shaped churches in Malta, built in the shape of a tent.

Interesting Places at Fgura

• Blandun Valley (at Blandun Valley Road)
• Carmelities Convent (at Carmelities Street)
• Cross Monument (at Hompesch Road)
• Fgura Primary School (at Writing Street)
• Gallerija Complex (at Zabbar Road)
• Hompesch Arch (at Hompesch Road)
• Our Lady of Monte Carmel's Parish Church (at R. Miller Square)
• Polverista Gate (at Cospicua Road)

Fgura Main Roads

1. Triq Bormla (Cospicua Road)
2. Triq Ħaż-Żabbar (Zabbar Road)
3. Triq Hompesch (Hompesch Road)
4. Triq is-Sur (Bastion Street)
5. Triq San Tumas (St Thomas Street)
6. Triq Valperga (Valperga Street)
7. Vjal Kottoner (Cottoner Avenue)

Fgura Streets that show the Roman Catholic Faith

• Daħlet in-Niċċa l-Antika (Old Niche Lane)
• Sqaq il-Koppla (Dome Alley)
• Triq il-Karmelitani (White Friars Street)
• Triq il-Karmnu (Our Lady of Monte Carmel Street)
• Triq il-Koppla (Dome Street)
• Triq Madre Tereża ta' Kalkuta (Mother Thersa of Calcuta Street)
• Triq Mater Boni Consilii (Our Lady of Good Council Street)
• Triq San Franġisk (St. Frances Street)
• Triq San Ġorġ Preca (St. George Preca Street)
• Triq San Ġwann (St. John Street)
• Triq San Mikiel (St. Micheal Street)
• Triq San Pietru (St. Peter Street)
• Triq San Tumas (St. Thomas Street)
• Triq San Xmun (St. Simon Street)
• Triq Sant' Antnin (St. Anthony Street)
• Triq Sant' Elija (St. Elias Street)
• Wied Blandun (Pascal Candle Valley)
• Triq Kent (Where St. Simon lived)
• Żona Tal-Patri (Friar's Area)

Floriana Malta experiences

Floriana or Furjana is a town in Malta, just outside the capital city Valletta. Floriana is the birthplace of many famous Maltese, amongst which the composer of the national anthem, 'L-Innu Malti', Robert Samut; former Bishop of Malta Dom Mauro Caruana and the poet Oliver Friggieri.

Attractions

1. Socjeta' Filarmonika Vilhena, or Vilhena Band Club, named after the town's founder.
2. Pjazza San Publju (St. Publius Square) and the adjacent granaries. St Publius Square has been the venue for many important events in the history of Malta.
3. The Mall
4. Centru Rikreattiv ir-Re Gorg V (King George V Recreational Grounds)
5. Porte des Bombes
6. Herbert Ganado Gardens
7. Argotti Botanical Gardens
8. Msida Bastions Garden of Rest, on Haywharf, another landmark which has been restored and reportedly contains the grave of Mikiel Anton Vassalli, an 18th century writer and reformer who is much associated with Malta's national identity.
9. Jubilee Grove (which demarcates the town from Hamrun and Pieta)
10. Valletta Waterfront
11. Hydrofoil terminal, which is very busy during summertime with daily departures to Sicily.

Main Roads in Floriana

1. Pjazza E.S. Tonna (E.S. Tonna Square)
2. Pjazza Robert Samut (Robert Samut Square)
3. Triq Ġilormu Cassar (Gilormo Cassar Street)
4. Triq il-Kapuċċini (Capuchins Street)
5. Telgħat il-Kurċifiss (Crucifix Hill)
6. Triq il-Mall (Mall Street)
7. Vjal ir-Re Dwardu VII (King Edward VII Avenue)
8. Triq l-Assedju l-Kbir (Great Siege Street)
9. Triq l-Indipendenza (Indipendence Street)
10. Triq Nazzjonali (National Road)
11. Triq Pintu (Pinto Street)
12. Triq Sa Maison (Sa Maison Road)
13. Triq San Franġisk (St. Frances Street)
14. Triq San Kalċidonju (St. Calcidonio Street)
15. Triq Sant' Anna (St Anne Steet)
16. Triq Sarria (Sarria Street)
17. Triq V.Dimech (V.Dimech Street)
18. Triq Vilhena (Vilhena Street)
19. Xatt it-Tiben (Hay Wharf)

Xatt Lascaris (Lascaris Wharf)
Triq il- Miratur (Gunlayer Street)

Floriana Streets that show the Roman Catholic Faith

• Foss Notre Dame (Notre Dame Ditch)
• Ġnien San Filippu (St. Philip's Garden)
• Mina Notre Dame (Notre Dame Tunnel)
• Misraħ San Publiju (St. Publius Square)
• Pjazza l-Papa Ġwanni XXIII (Pope John XXIII Square)
• Pjazza San Kalċidonju (St. Calcidonio Square)
• Pjazza Sant' Anna (St. Anne Square)
• Sur ta' San Ġakmu (St. Jacom Bastion)
• Sur ta' San Luqa (St. Luke Bastion)
• Telgħa tal-Kurċifiss (Crucifix Hill)
• Triq il-Kapuċċini (Capuchine Friars Street)
• Triq il-Konservatorju (Conservatory Street)
• Triq l-Isqof Mauro Caruana (Bishop Mauro Caruana Street)
• Triq San Franġisk (St. Frances Street)
• Triq San Publiju (St. Publius Street)
• Triq San Tumas (St. Thomas Street)
• Triq Sant' Anna (St. Anne Street)

Gharghur experiences

Għargħur is situated on a hilltop between two valleys in the North-East of Malta with a population of 2,389. Its coat of arms is a red star over a red triangle on a silver shield with the motto 'Excelsior' which means 'The Highest'. This motto indicates the fact that this town is geographically one of the highest in Malta.

Some Roman artefacts, found during road construction, were carried to the Domus Romana (Roman Villa), a Roman Villa and Museum, situated in the old town of Rabat. There is documented reference of Għargħur as far back as 1419, in the lists of the Dejma, which was a Militia that guarded the locals from pirate attacks. This settlement suffered from severe de-population during the High Middle Ages and some years later due to continuous pirate attacks.

Għargħur was a rural community living in an area particularly lacking fertile soil and fresh water. Nevertheless, the inhabitants of this area were able to finance the building of a parish church and several other chapels which host Baroque fine arts. The main attraction of the village, besides the countryside, is the parish church dedicated to Saint Bartholomew the Apostle. Its interior is of the Doric order but it has a fine Baroque façade. The original façade was demolished and the one seen today was built in 1743. The church was built between 1610 and 1638 and was designed by Maltese architect Tumas Dingli.

Its treasures include a wooden statue of Saint Bartholomew sculptured in Rome, attributed to Maltese artist Melchiore Gafa. The statue was made circa 1666 and it is believed to be the model for the similar statue in San Giovanni Laterano, Rome. It was brought to the town in 1772. Restorations on it were held in 1912. In 2005 the statue had further preservations and its niche was restructured. The statue is the second heaviest in the Maltese islands.

The Victoria Lines, named after Queen Victoria, and which divide the island of Malta from east to west, passes through this locality. Other fortifications can also be found. Għargħur hosts much of Malta's telecommunication infrastructure.

Prior to the installation of radar, a concave wall was constructed in Għargħur to detect incoming Italian planes during World War II. This building is called "il-Widna" by locals (lit. the ear). Għargħur hosted a number a refugees from the harbour area during that war. These refugees were seeking shelter from the continuous air raids by the Axis Powers. The public school was used as a dormitory for these refugees.

The main event of the year is the village festa which is celebrated on the 24th (if this turns out to be a Sunday) or the last Sunday of August. The statue of the saint is carried shoulder high along the illuminated streets of the village accompanied by musical bands. A display of colourful fireworks, ends the village festival. Many tourists tend to take part in the celebration of the saint's day, by visiting the church and the well-known fireworks display.

In modern times a controversy has risen over the real name of this village - whether it should be called Gargur or Ħal-Għargħur. The original name was Ħal-Għargħur (pronounced hal- arur). 'Ħal' is an old abbreviation of 'Rahal', which mean a "village/small town". 'Gharghur' most probably derives from 'Gregorio' in the middle of the 15th century, the village was called Casal Gregorio. The current pronunciation is possibly related to the influence of English rule (1800-1964).. It is also possible that the name Gregorio emerged as a result of the process of Italianisation which the Maltese language underwent. Similar example are the names of the town of Żurrieq, which on official documents appeared as Zurico and Naxxar, which on various documents and maps was referred to as Nascario. Most probably, the name Għargħur derives from the Għargħar, Malta's national tree. It is interesting to note that in the North-Eastern part of Malta there are other place names which possibly have their origin to this particular tree. These are San Ġwann ta' l-Għargħar and Il-Ħotba ta' l-Għargħar.

Interesting Places

1. Oratory (at Oratory Street)
2. Santa Marija ta' Żellieqa Chapel (at Madliena Road)
3. St. Bartholmew's Parish Church (at Church Square)
4. St. John's Chapel (at St. John Street)
5. St. Nicholas' Chapel (at St. Nicholas Street)
6. Tal-Ferħa Home (at Ċawl Street)
7. Wied id-Dis
8. Wied l-Anġlu (at Bishop Gargallo Street)
9. Zones in Għargħur
10. Birguma
11. Ġwiedi
12. Il-Fanal (The Lantern)
13. Tal-Ferħa Estate (Joy's Estate)
14. Tax-Xiħ (Old Man's Village)
15. Wied Anġlu (Angel Valley)
16. Wied Santa Marija taż-Żellieqa (Saint Mary of the Slippery Valley)
17. Xwieki

Għargħur Main Roads

1. Triq Caravaggio (Carravaggio Street)
2. Triq E.M.Perren (Perren Street)
3. Triq il-31 ta' Marzu (31st March Street)
4. Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
5. Triq il-Madliena (Madliena Road)
6. Triq il-Wiesgħa (Wide Street)
7. Triq in-Naxxar (Naxxar Road)
8. Triq ir-Repubblika (Republic Street)
9. Triq l-Oratorju (Oratory Street)
10. Triq Monsinjur Lwiġi Catania (Mgr. Luigi Catania Street)
11. Triq San Bartolomew (St. Bartholomeo Street)
12. Triq San Ġwann (St. John Street)
13. Triq Santa Katerina (St. Catherine Street)
14. Triq Stiefnu Zerafa (Stephen Zerafa Street)
15. Triq Tal-Balal (Tal-Balal Road)

Għargħur Streets that show the Roman Catholic Faith

1. Ġnien San Pawl (St. Paul's Garden)
2. Għar San Brinkaw (St. Patrick's Cave)
3. Misraħ il-Knisja (Church Square)
4. Sqaq ir-Rużarju (Rosary Alley)
5. Sqaq San Ġwann Nru.1 sa Nru.3 (St. John Alley No.1 to No.3)
6. Sqaq San Nikola (St. Nicholas Alley)
7. Triq l-Oratorju (Oratory Street)
8. Triq San Bartilmew (St. Bartholemeo Street)
9. Triq San Ġorġ (St. George Street)
10. Triq San Ġwann (St. John Street)
11. Triq San Nikola (St. Nicholas Street)
12. Triq Santa Katerina (St. Catherine Street)
13. Triq Santa Margerita (St. Margerith Street)
14. Triq Santa Marija taż-Żellieqa (St. Mary of Zellieqa Street)
15. Wied Anġlu (Angel Valley)
16. Wied Santa Marija taż-Żellieqa (St. Mary of Zellieqa Valley)

Gudja Malta

Gudja is a village in Malta with a population of 2,901. The village is located on a small hill south of the city of Valletta overlooking Malta International Airport.

Gudja's coat of arms bears the motto "PLURIBUS PARENS", which means "Mother of many children". These children are Safi, Kirkop, Ħal-Farruġ, Luqa, Mqabba and Tarxien, which at one time these were all part of the parish church of Gudja.

The village has a palace called Palazzo Bettina and it is believed that Napoleon lived there during his short stay in Malta, when Malta was being ruled by the French.

The parish church is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and it's the only one in Malta with 3 bell towers. The most conspicuous of these is the William Baker Tower, built in the 1880s by this English architect.

The Church inside offers some interesting objets d' arte. The titular painting of the Assumption of the Virgin was painted by the Italian painter Pietro Gagliardi in 1887. The same painter was commissioned with the painting 'Our Lady of the Carmel' in 1889. Another interesting painting is 'The Death of Saint Joseph', painted by the Italian artist Domenico Bruschi in 1894. The most important sculpture inside the church was sculpted out of solid wood in 1807 by the Maltese Vincenzo Dimech.

Gudja also has a famous 500 year-old chapel of Bir Miftuħ (which means "open well").

An architect who is famous for his architectural projects during the Knights of St. John era, Girolamo Cassar, was born in Gudja.

Pop singer Madonna stayed in Gudja during her short visit in the island.

Gudja also has a football team, known as Gudja United F.C. The club enjoyed a successful period in the 1980s when they narrowly lost promotion to the 1st Division.

Gudja Main Roads

1. Dawret il-Gudja (Gudja By-Pass)
2. Triq Bir Miftuħ (Bir Miftuh Road)
3. Triq Ħal-Far (Hal Far Road)
4. Triq Ħal-Għaxaq (Ghaxaq Road)
5. Triq Ħal-Tarxien (Tarxien Road)
6. Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
7. Triq iż-Żebbuġa (Olive Street)
8. Triq Raymond Caruana (Raymond Caruana Street)
9. Vjal l-Avjazzjoni (Aviattion Avenue)

Gudja Streets that show the Roman Catholic Faith

1. Sqaq Santa Katerina Nru.2 u Nru.3 (St. Catherine Alley No.2 and No.3)
2. Sqaq Santa Marija (St. Mary Alley)
3. Triq il-Kappillan (Chaplin Street)
4. Triq l-Annunzjata (Annunciation Street)
5. Triq San Ċiru (St. Cirus Street)
6. Triq San Ġorġ (St. George Street)
7. Triq San Mark (St. Mark Street)
8. Triq San Pawl (St. Paul Street)
9. Triq Santa Katerina (St. Catherine Street)
10. Triq Santa Marija (St. Mary Street)
11. Triq Tal-Kappella (Chapel Street)
12. Żona ta' Loretu (Our Lady of Loreto Area)

Gzira experiences

Gżira is a town in the north-eastern coast of Malta pop. approx. 8,000, between Msida & Sliema, and bordering on Ta' Xbiex, with its famed yacht marina and Embassy Row. The word Gżira means "island" in Maltese, and the town is named after Manoel Island which lies just adjacent to the town. The seafront of Gżira is famed for its breathtaking views of the walled city of Valletta, which are illuminated at night, forming a picturesque backdrop to Manoel Island, the yacht marina and a seafront public garden.

Important Buildings, Associations and Groups in Gżira

Places of Interest:

• The Strand, and the waterfront shopping district
• Yacht Marina, and adjacent gardens
• Monument to the Council of Europe
• Fort Manoel
• Parish Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• Empire Stadium

Schools:

• Stella Maris College: A boys' Church school run by the Lasallian Brothers.
• St. Monica School: This is also another modern Catholic Church school. This school for girls, is run by the Augustinian Sisters, Servants of Jesus & Mary. Like Stella Maris College, it caters both for primary as well as secondary education.
• Antonio Bosio: A Government-run school

Gżira Main Roads

1. Triq D'Argens (Rue D'Argens)
2. Triq il-Gżira (Island Street)
3. Triq l-Imsida (Msida Road)
4. Triq M.A. Vassalli (Regional Road)
5. Triq Reggie Miller (Reggie Miller Street)
6. Triq Tas-Sliema (Sliema Road)
7. Xatt il-Gżira (Gżira Strand)
8. Xatt ta' Ta' Xbiex (Ta' Xbiex Strand)

Gżira Streets that show the Roman Catholic Faith

1. Triq De La Salle (De La Salle Street)
2. Triq il-Madonna tal-Ġebla (Our Lady of Rock Street)
3. Triq l-Immakulata Kunċizzjoni (Immaculate Conception Street)
4. Triq San Albert (St. Albert Street)
5. Triq San Ġorġ (St. George Street)

Luqa experiences

Luqa is a village located in the south east of Malta. It is an old town that typical of the Maltese Islands in its dense population. The population of Luqa is 6,028. Luqa is quite important to the Maltese economy as the Malta International Airport is located there. It boasts a beautiful Church in its main square, which is dedicated to St. Andrew. The traditional feast of St. Andrew is celebrated on the first Sunday of July, with the liturgical feast being celebrated on the November 30.

Citizens of Luqa vote for their local council every three years, which council consists of seven members one of them being the mayor. The Mayor of Luqa is John Schembri.

The famous clock maker and inventor Michelangelo Sapiano (1825-1913) used to live in Luqa. He invented various kinds of clocks. The clock in the belfry of the Parish Church is one of his many works.

Luqa Main Roads

1. Triq Garibaldi
2. Triq Ħal-Far (Hal-Far Road)
3. Triq Ħal-Farruġ (Hal Farrug Road)
4. Triq Ħal-Qormi (Qormi Road)
5. Triq il-Belt Valletta (Valletta Road)
6. Triq il-Ġdida (New Street)
7. Triq il-Karmnu (Carmelo Street)
8. Triq il-Knisja (Church Street)
9. Triq il-Kunsill ta' l-Ewropa (European Council Road)
10. Triq il-Mitħna ta' Caraffa (Caraffa's Mill Street)
11. Triq iż-Żurrieq (Zurrieq Road)
12. Triq l-Għammieri (Għammieri Road)
13. Triq ir-Rixtellu (Gate Street)
14. Triq San Pawl (St. Paul Street)
15. Triq San Tumas (St Thomas Road)
16. Triq Sant' Andrija (St Andrew Street)
17. Triq Wied in-Noqra (Noqra Valley Road)
18. Vjal l-Avazzjoni (Aviation Avenue)
19. Vjal l-Avazzjoni Ċivili (Civil Aviation Avenue)
20. Wesgħat il-Vittmi tal-Gwerra (War Victims Square)

Marsaskala experiences

Marsaskala or Marsascala is a modest sea-side village in Malta that has grown up around the small harbour at the head of Marsaskala Bay, a long narrow inlet also known as Marsaskala Creek. The bay is sheltered to the north by Ras iż-Żonqor, the south-east corner of Malta, and to the south by the headland of Ras il-Gżira.

The village extends along both sides of the bay, and across most of Il-Ħamrija, locally nicknamed Siberia due to its exposure to icy northerly winds in winter and because buildings there are deemed to be too cut off from the centre of the village and church area. Marsaskala boasts a rather modern church, and a very pleasant promenade of shops, restaurants and coffee shops along the long stretch of waterfront.

The shore north of Ras iż-Żonqor is of low cliffs, with shelving rock ledges south of the point. Marsaskala Bay is largely edged by promenade, with low shelving rock ledges cut with salt pans on the seaward face of Ras iċ-Ċerna, which continue on round the eastern point, past l-Abjad iż-Żgħir, and into Il-Bajja ta' San Tumas (St Thomas Bay) to the south.

Though not endowed with much in the way of sandy beaches, the environment is ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling, and the town boasts at least two diving schools.

The parish church is dedicated to Sant Anna (St. Anne) and St Anne's feast is celebrated at the end of July in Marsaskala.

The town has a winter population of 9,298 people, but this swells to around 20,000 in summer.

The name Marsascala is derived from Marsaskala. Different opinions exist regarding the origin of the name Marsaskala. While it is commonly agreed that Marsa is an Arabic word meaning bay, Skala has given rise to different interpretations. It could have been derived from Sqalli (Sicilian) for Marsaskala was frequented by Sicilian fishermen since Malta is just 60 miles south from Sicily. Maybe it was derived from the Sicilian 'Piccola Cala' meaning little inlet or it was just a reference to some rock-cut steps on the water's edge. (Skala also means a straight flight of steps).

Marsaskala is better known as Wied il-Għajn by the Maltese as the bay and the old small village are flanked by two valleys, through which a spring of fresh water used to flow down into the innermost bay. Wied means valley and Għajn (pronounced ayn) refers to the spring of fresh water. Literally, Wied il-Għajn means Valley of the Spring.

Marsaskala main roads

• Triq Ħaż-Żabbar (Zabbar Road)
• Triq id-Daħla ta' San Tumas (St Thomas Bay Road)
• Triq il-Qaliet (Qaliet Street)
• Triq is-Salini (Salini Street)
• Triq ix-Xatt (Marina Street)
• Triq iż-Żonqor (Zonqor Road)
• Triq La Sengle (La Sengle Street)
• Triq San Ġużepp (St Joseph Street)
• Triq San Luqa (St Luke Street)
• Triq Sant' Anna (St Anne Street)
• Triq Sant' Antnin (Sant' Antnin Road)
• Triq Tal-Gardiel (Tal-Gardiel Road)

Marsaxlokk experiences

Marsaxlokk is a traditional fishing village located in the south-eastern part of Malta, with a population of 3,205 people. The village’s name comes from marsa, which means "harbor" or "bay" in Arabic, and xlokk, which is the local name for the dry sirocco wind that blows from the Sahara; it is pronounced mar-sa-shlok.

Marsaxlokk is the foremost fishing village and, perhaps, the most picturesque seaside locality in Malta. Fishing nets are often spread on the quay to dry in the sun and, quite often, sturdy fishermen can be seen mending these nets. These activities, together with the modest houses by the quayside, lend the place charm and serenity.

Most of Malta's fish supplies are caught by fishermen coming from this port. Swordfish, tuna, and the popular 'lampuki' are caught in abundance between spring and late autumn. On weekdays, the catch is taken to the fish-market in Valletta, but on Sundays fish is retailed by fishermen in the open on the quay.

Fish restaurants have opened to meet the ever-increasing demand. The tourist influx to Marsaxlokk has also attracted many hawkers and souvenir vendors.

Overlooking the northern arm of Marsaxlokk Bay is the hill of Tas-Silġ. This archaeological site contains remains of megalithic temples of the Tarxien phase, with later alterations resembling the Ħaġar Qim model. Bronze Age material was also found scattered around the area.

The site's most important period, however, is considered to be from the end of the 6th century BC to the 1st century AD, with most of the extant structures belonging to the latter part of this span. Again the hill was used as a religious site, this time as a temple dedicated to Astarte/Hera. A number of dedications to both goddesses, or to the one goddess, under both the Phoenician and Greek names, have been found.

The Tas-Silġ site was used again for religious purposes sometime in the 4th century AD, when it was adapted to a new religion, Christianity, and possibly used as a monastery.

The contemporary population of Marsaxlokk is around 4,000. In the past, a great percentage of the population worked as full-time fishermen. The number of working fishermen has decreased, in part because people from other localities have moved to the village.

Marsaxlokk is about 35 minutes from Valletta by public bus. The bay is memorable for the many decorative "eyed" boats, called luzzus. The painted eyes on these luzzus are believed to protect the boats from the evil eye.

It is in this "bay of the sirocco" (Xlokk) that the first Phoenicians landed and set up trading posts on Malta, during the ninth century BC. During the Great Siege, Marsaxlokk harbor was also used as an anchorage by the Turkish fleet.

In recent decades, the village has been the site for wet bulk operations. Malta's new main power station is here. Discharge of petroleum products takes place mainly at the Enemalta discharge installation point at Birżebbuġa. Apart from this, Oil Tanking (Malta) Ltd. operates an independent oil terminal at Marsaxlokk, which has discharge and loading points along the breakwater pier and offers storage, blending, and bunkering facilities.

New shipping trends and the introduction of large, specialised container vessels meant that, for Malta to take advantage of its position at the crossroads of numerous shipping routes, a new facility for container shipping had to be built. The Malta Freeport Terminal, at Marsaxlokk, has developed into a major container terminal in the Mediterranean, equipped with the latest in technology and serving many of the giant operators in the container carrier sector.

Marsaxlokk Main Roads

1. Triq Delimara (Delimara Road)
2. Triq it-Torri Vendome (Vendome Tower Street)
3. Triq iż-Żejtun (Zejtun Road)
4. Triq l-Arżnell (Arznell Street)
5. Triq Santa Katerina (St. Catherine Street)
6. Triq Tas-Silġ (Tas-Silg Road)
7. Triq Tat-Trunċiera (Trunciera Street)
8. Xatt is-Sajjieda (Fishermen Strand)