Siġġiewi is situated on a plateau in the South Western part of Malta, a few kilometres away from Mdina, the ancient capital city of Malta, and 10 kilometres away from Valletta the capital city. It is the home of 7903 inhabitants who, up to several decades ago, worked mostly in the fields which surround the village. The meaning of the word "Siġġiewi" is not confirmed; some say that the place was named after the Sageyo's, rich family which had large estates in this area. Others argue that the Semitic roots of the word mean 'prosperous' or calm; two virtues which the villagers still cherish today. In fact the motto of Siġġiewi is "Labore et Virtute"
In its demographic and topographical formation, Siġġiewi followed a pattern common to other villages in Malta. Before the arrival of the Order of St John in 1530, there were other thriving hamlets in the area. Little by little Ħal Xluq, Ħal Kbir, Ħal Niklusi and Ħal Qdieri were absorbed in Siġġiewi and today, only their secluded chapels remind us of their former existence.
Siġġiewi was already established in the 14th century. On December 30 1797, after a formal request by Don Salvatore Curso, on behalf of his parishioners, Grand Master Ferdinand Von Hompesch instituted the village as a city calling it after his name, "Città Ferdinand".
The ruins of the former parish church, dedicated to St Nicholas of Bari are still visible today. Lately, great restoration works have been carried out and retrieved its old glory. The imposing baroque parish church, dedicated to the same saint, was erected by the hardworking villagers who raised the necessary funds between the years 1676-1693. It was designed by the famous Maltese architect, Lorenzo Gafà but underwent some changes throughout the years. The portico and naves were added by Professor Nicola Żammit in the latter half of the 19th century.
The titular painting in the church is by the renowned artist Mattia Preti. 'Il calabrese', who was also responsible for the painting on the vault of St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta. The wooden statue which is proudly carried in procession in the city feast day (the last Sunday of June) was sculptured by Pietro Felici in 1736. Fours years earlier, in 1732, the same sculptor had produced the magnificent stone statue which still stands in the centre of the spacious square. On its pedestal there is a beautiful prayer in Latin which implores the saint to bless the fields which the faithful laboriously till.
Siġġiewi has a lot to offer to the hundreds of tourists who visit each year. The view from the Inquisitor's summer palace, built by inquisitor Onorato Visconti in 1625 and renovated by inquisitor Angelo Dorini in 1763, is impressive. Today it is the Maltese Prime Minister's official residence. The huge iron cross on huge stone pedestal, erected in 1903 on the hilltop nearby (presumably the highest peak of the island) built at the turn of the century by Don Pawl Laferla (is-Salib ta' l-Għolja or Laferla Cross) is a well-known landmark. The palace of Grand Master Verdalle is one of the residences of the Presidents of the Republic. Adjoining this palace one finds the famous Buskett, a small forest which Grand Masters such as La Vallette used as hunting grounds.
Siġġiewi is also blessed with natural beauty. In the hot summer season, many flock to the picturesque bay of Għar Lapsi to enjoy peaceful atmosphere in a place which has changed but a little since the dawn of creation. From here the islet of Filfla can be seen on the horizon. The village stands on a flat plateau flanked by two relatively deep valleys (Wied il-Hesri and Wied Xkora) which give this locality a secluded feel - a rare aspect in Malta where almost all nearby villages are gradually being engulfed by Malta's only conurbation also known as Valletta's metropolitan area.
There are countless niches in practically every corner of the old part of the city. Some date back to the middle of the 17th century and are a sign of devotion, a tangible manifestation of faith, as well as an architectural decoration. The narrow, winding streets, the alleys branching off from them, the churches and the friendly and helpful people which one encounters are the distinctive features of an old city with a lot to give.
Siġġiewi Main Roads
In its demographic and topographical formation, Siġġiewi followed a pattern common to other villages in Malta. Before the arrival of the Order of St John in 1530, there were other thriving hamlets in the area. Little by little Ħal Xluq, Ħal Kbir, Ħal Niklusi and Ħal Qdieri were absorbed in Siġġiewi and today, only their secluded chapels remind us of their former existence.
Siġġiewi was already established in the 14th century. On December 30 1797, after a formal request by Don Salvatore Curso, on behalf of his parishioners, Grand Master Ferdinand Von Hompesch instituted the village as a city calling it after his name, "Città Ferdinand".
The ruins of the former parish church, dedicated to St Nicholas of Bari are still visible today. Lately, great restoration works have been carried out and retrieved its old glory. The imposing baroque parish church, dedicated to the same saint, was erected by the hardworking villagers who raised the necessary funds between the years 1676-1693. It was designed by the famous Maltese architect, Lorenzo Gafà but underwent some changes throughout the years. The portico and naves were added by Professor Nicola Żammit in the latter half of the 19th century.
The titular painting in the church is by the renowned artist Mattia Preti. 'Il calabrese', who was also responsible for the painting on the vault of St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta. The wooden statue which is proudly carried in procession in the city feast day (the last Sunday of June) was sculptured by Pietro Felici in 1736. Fours years earlier, in 1732, the same sculptor had produced the magnificent stone statue which still stands in the centre of the spacious square. On its pedestal there is a beautiful prayer in Latin which implores the saint to bless the fields which the faithful laboriously till.
Siġġiewi has a lot to offer to the hundreds of tourists who visit each year. The view from the Inquisitor's summer palace, built by inquisitor Onorato Visconti in 1625 and renovated by inquisitor Angelo Dorini in 1763, is impressive. Today it is the Maltese Prime Minister's official residence. The huge iron cross on huge stone pedestal, erected in 1903 on the hilltop nearby (presumably the highest peak of the island) built at the turn of the century by Don Pawl Laferla (is-Salib ta' l-Għolja or Laferla Cross) is a well-known landmark. The palace of Grand Master Verdalle is one of the residences of the Presidents of the Republic. Adjoining this palace one finds the famous Buskett, a small forest which Grand Masters such as La Vallette used as hunting grounds.
Siġġiewi is also blessed with natural beauty. In the hot summer season, many flock to the picturesque bay of Għar Lapsi to enjoy peaceful atmosphere in a place which has changed but a little since the dawn of creation. From here the islet of Filfla can be seen on the horizon. The village stands on a flat plateau flanked by two relatively deep valleys (Wied il-Hesri and Wied Xkora) which give this locality a secluded feel - a rare aspect in Malta where almost all nearby villages are gradually being engulfed by Malta's only conurbation also known as Valletta's metropolitan area.
There are countless niches in practically every corner of the old part of the city. Some date back to the middle of the 17th century and are a sign of devotion, a tangible manifestation of faith, as well as an architectural decoration. The narrow, winding streets, the alleys branching off from them, the churches and the friendly and helpful people which one encounters are the distinctive features of an old city with a lot to give.
Siġġiewi Main Roads
- Pjazza San Nikola (St Nicholas Square)
- Triq Blat il-Qamar (Moon's Rocks Street)
- Triq Bur il-Kbir
- Triq il-Knisja (Church Street)
- Triq il-Knisja l-Qadima (Old Church Street)
- Triq il-Mitħna (Mill Street)
- Triq il-Parroċċa (Parish Street)
- Triq it-Tabib Nikola Zammit
- Triq l-Imqabba (Mqabba Road)
- Triq Lapsi
- Triq Mikiel Azzopardi
- Triq San Nikola (St Nicholas Street)
- Triq Santa Margarita (St Margareth Street)
- Triq tan-Nofs (Middle Street)
- Triq Dun Manuel Zammit(Fr. Manuel Zammit Street)
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