Senglea experiences

Senglea is a fortified city in the east of Malta, mainly in the Grand Harbour area. It is one of the Three Cities, with the other two being Cospicua and Vittoriosa. The city of Senglea is also called Citta Invicta, because it managed to resist the Ottoman invasion at the Great Siege of 1565. The proper name is Senglea since the grandmaster who built it Claude De La Sengle, gave this city a part of his name.The island was in fact joined by a landbridge to Cospicua during the time of the Knights of St. John and as a result, it became peninsular in shape. During the time of the Knights of St. John, Senglea was also used as a hunting area, and was in fact known as L'Isola di San Giuliano, but later it was developed and made inhabitable by the Grand Master, Claude de la Sengle who built fortifications following a Turkish invasion in 1551. The locality eventually became known as Senglea but retained its old name Isla.

Senglea is particularly famous for the miraculous statue of Jesus Christ The Redeemer (Ir-Redentur ta` l-Isla), located in the oratory of the basilica which is dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary (Marija Bambina).

Senglea also has a statue dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus, which is often referred to as Il Madonna Tan-Nofs, literally meaning "Our Lady Of The Centre". It was originally erected in the city center during the time of the plague, as gratitude, for being the only town not contaminated.

We must not forget the local band club, currently named "Socjeta Filarmonika La Vincitrice". The society recently changed the band name to its former name , with the last being "Queen's Own Band Club". The local band can be seen especially during the feast of Senglea. The band also has an important role in the Good Friday procession and Easter celebrations. Lastly the band also plays xmas carols during the procession organised by the M.U.S.E.U.M on Xmas Eve. The band is currently directed by Mro Brian Cassar, who is mainly a product of the same society.

Senglea Main Roads

1. Misraħ il-Papa Benedittu XV (Pope Benedict XV Square)
2. Misraħ l-4 ta' Settembru (4th September Square)
3. Triq il-31 ta' Marzu (31st March Street)
4. Triq il-Monsinjur Panzavecchia (Mgr. Panzavecchia Street)
5. Triq il-Vitorja (Victory Street)
6. Triq it-Tarzna (Shipbuilding Street)
7. Triq Mattei (Mattei Street)
8. Triq San Pawl (St. Paul Street)
9. Xatt Juan B.Azzopardi (Juan B.Azzopardi Strand)

Mgarr experiences

Mġarr formerly known as Mgiarro, is a small town northwest of the mainland of Malta. Mgarr is a typical rural village situated in an isolated region, west of Mosta. It is surrounded with rich farmland and vineyards. Many of its 2,995 inhabitants are farmers or are engaged in some sort of agricultural activity. Mġarr's history is that of a farming community, which some of the Mdina patrican families had owned, such as the Vassallo family. Mgiarro was granted by the King of Sicily to the Inguanez family, and over time they sold it to the Falsone family. Over time, land was split up and given to all descendants.

Mġarr today has grown quite large, though still considered a country town with fresh clean air away from the major industrial towns of Malta.

Mġarr's rustic environs embrace several rustic spots like Binġemma, Wardija, Fomm ir-Riħ and Ġnejna Bay.

Mġarr has two important prehistoric sites: Ta' Ħagrat, which is still in a good state of preservation, stands in a field near the village centre; Ta' Skorba, excavated in 1963, lies just outside the village.

Mġarr is a favourite stopping place for people strolling in its countryside and for those travelling in cars to the nearby beaches.

It was only in the beginning of the 20th century that Mġarr got its own parish and fully completed church. The church is one of the largest dome church in the world, after Mosta. The unique shape, that of an oval dome, is attributed to the extensive funds collected from the sale of locally produced eggs: more than 300,000 were sold in aid of the project.

The parish church of St. Mary (the Assumption) is a miniature copy of the Mosta Rotunda. Its building commenced in 1912 and its construction depended on free labour and on the generous contributions earned by the parishioners from the sale of farm products. Despite all efforts to expedite the work, the building was not completed before 1946.

The church stands on high ground and its elevated terrace offers a charming view of the fertile fields and of the neighbouring hillsides. Several old homesteads still exist in the narrow streets around the church. Modern buildings and a housing estate are new additions to the village.

Mġarr Main Roads

1. Triq Binġemma (Binġemma Road)
2. Triq Fisher (Fisher Street)
3. Triq Għajn Tuffieħa (Għajn Tuffieħa Road)
4. Triq il-Banjijiet Rumani (Roman Baths Road)
5. Triq il-Ġnejna (Gnejna Road)
6. Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
7. Triq il-Kurat Chetcuti
8. Triq il-Mosta (Mosta Road)
9. Triq iż-Żebbiegħ (Żebbiegħ Road)
10. Triq Sir Harry Luke (Sir Harry Luke Street)
11. Triq Sir Temi Zammit (Sir Temi Zammit Road)
12. Wesgħa l-Ġublew (Jubile Square)

Mosta experiences

Mosta is a town situated in the middle of the island of Malta, to the north-west of Valletta. It has a population of 18,676 people (Nov 2005). In fact a lot of traffic passes through Constitution Street, one of Mosta's main streets which connects the South to the North. Mosta celebrates the feast of Saint Mary the Assumption on the 15th August. This is a very popular feast among the Mostin and tourists alike. Mosta has many legends such as the Mosta Bride (L-Gharusa tal-Mosta) and a lot of historical places such as the Victoria Lines and Medieval chapels. Mosta has its own scouts and girl guides as well as two band clubs (15th August and Santa Marija) and two fire works factories that make spectacular fire works. The main attraction in Mosta is the Rotunda - a huge round church with the third largest unsupported dome in the world.

Mosta Main Roads

1. Pjazza Kaptan Noel Galea (Captain Noel Galea Square)
2. Pjazza Rotunda (Rotunda Square)
3. Triq C.Dimech (C.Dimech Street)
4. Triq F.Napuljun Tagliaferro (F.Napolione Tagliaferro Street)
5. Triq id-Dura (Dura Street)
6. Triq il-Barrieri (Quarries Street)
7. Triq il-Belt Valletta (Valletta Road)
8. Triq il-Bidnija (Bidnija Road)
9. Triq il-Bistra (Bistra Road)
10. Triq il-Fortizza tal-Mosta (Mosta Fort Street)
11. Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
12. Triq il-Kostituzzjoni (Constitution Street)
13. Triq il-Kungress Ewkaristiku (Euacharistic Congress Street)
14. Triq il-Midbaħ (Midbah Street)
15. Triq il-Missjunsarji Maltin (Maltese Missioners Street)
16. Triq il-Pont (Bridge Street)
17. Triq l-Assemblea Nazzjonali
18. Triq l-Imsiebaħ (Partner Street)
19. Triq l-Oratorju (Oratory Street)
20. Triq Sant' Antnon Abati (St Anthony Abbot Street)
21. Triq Santa Margarita (Santa Margarita Road)
22. Triq Tal-Bistra (Tal-Bistra Road)
23. Triq Ponsonby (Ponsonby street)
24. Vjal il-Qalbiena Mostin (Mosta's Heros Street)
25. Vjal l-Indipendenza (Independence Avenue)
26. Vjal Millbrae (Millbrae Avenue)

Mqabba experiences

Mqabba is a small village in the south of Malta, with a population of 3,021 inhabitants.

It is famous for its limestone quarries.Extinct animals were found in Ta' Xantin and Ta' Kandja Quarries.
Paleo Christian catacombs are found in this village - known as Ta' Mintna.
Amongst other important structures, one can find Vincenti Tower, and various chapels such as the Chapel of St. Basil, Our Lady of Sorrows, St. John and St.Catherine of Alexendria.

The main church is dedicated to Assumption of Our Lady.Santa Marija feast in celebrated on the 15th of August. Feasts of secondary importance are those of Corpus Christi, The Immaculate Conception (known as Our Lady of the Lily) and Our Lady of the Rosary.

The titular statue found in the church, that of the Assumption of the blessed Mother of God, was executed by Alessandro Farrugia in 1836, made out of wood. The photograph shows the statue in its original form, as it was prior to 1928, when a new sarcophagus made of silver replaced the original wooden one seen in the picture. Apart from the sarcophagus, the statue itself has lost none of its characteristics.

Mqabba Main Roads

1. Pjazza tad-Djamanti (Diamonds Square)
2. Pjazza tal-Knisja (Church Square)
3. Triq il-Belt Valletta (Valletta Road)
4. Triq il-Karmnu (Carmelo Street)
5. Triq il-Konvoj ta' Santa Marija (St Mary Convoy Road)
6. Triq il-Parroċċa (Parish Street)
7. Triq il-Qrendi (Qrendi Road)
8. Triq is-Siġġiewi (Siggiewi Road)
9. Triq Karmenu Ciantar (Carmelo Ciantar Street)
10. Triq Tas-Sejba (Tas-Sejba Road)

Mtarfa experiences

Mtarfa is a small town close to Rabat and Mdina in the north of Malta, with a population of 2,396 people.

Mtarfa is a modern residential area, even though Roman inscriptions attributed to the Temple of Prosperine were found.

Military barracks were built in 1890.
A naval hospital (RNH Mtarfa) for injured persons was built during World War I. This has now been converted to a state secondary school, named after Sir Temi Zammit.
A chapel dedicated to St. Oswald was built by the British, during their occupation of the island.
One of the most famous landmarks of Mtarfa is the clock, built in 1895.

Mtarfa Main Roads

1. Triq G.Galea (G.Galea Street)
2. Triq Għajn Qajjet (Ghajn Qajjet Road)
3. Triq il-Kavallier Vincenzo Bonello (Cav. Vincent Bonello Street)
4. Triq il-Maltin Internati u Eżiljati
5. Triq il-Palma (Palm Street)
6. Triq it-Torri ta' l-Arloġġ (Clock Tower Street)
7. Triq Leslie Rundle (Leslie Rundle Street)
8. Triq l-Imtarfa (Mtarfa Road)
9. Triq l-Infetti (Nfetti Road)
10. Triq San David (St David Street)

Qormi experiences

Qormi, also known as Ħal Qormi or Città Pinto, is a city in Malta with a population of 16,576. The town is located southwest of Valletta in the centre of Malta. The town enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry, sunny summers and short, cool winters.

The neighbouring towns of Qormi are Marsa, Luqa and Żebbuġ. Qormi sits just off a main road between Mdina and Valletta.

The patron saint of Qormi is Saint George while the protector is Saint Sebastian. For two weeks in summer, the town celebrates the feast of its Saints. The town is also known for its Good Friday procession with over 500 people participating each year, outgoing from the church of Saint George.

The area was settled as early as the Bronze Age. A number of tombs discovered in the past century indicates that the Phoenicians traded with the population. In the fifteenth century, Qormi was established as one of the first parishes in Malta and had the largest parish church in Malta at that stage.

It was known as Casal Fornaro, which means Baker's Village, back in the old days, due to the number of bakers that existed. The town provided bread to most of Malta. The name it has for production of bread has stayed as established bakeries do their utmost to keep up with the name.

Qormi is run by a local council established in 1993 under the Local Councils Act. The Local Council inaugurated a new office block in Triq il-Vitorja (Victory Street), which although they are a few metres away from the old ones, they are now in a much more central position, helping to reach the citizens' needs easier..

Qormi also houses a number of bakeries.

Qormi Main Roads

Qormi (San Ġorġ)

1. By-Pass ta' l-Imrieħel (Mrieħel By-Pass)
2. Misraħ San Franġisk (St. Frances Square)
3. Pjazza Maemple (Maemple Square)
4. Triq Ġużè Duca (Guzè Duca Road)
5. Triq il-Ħelsien (Freedom Street)
6. Triq il-Kardinal Xibberas (Cardinal Xibberas Street)
7. Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
8. Triq il-Vittorja (Victory Street)
9. Triq il-Wied (Valley Street)
10. Triq is-Sagħtar (Thyme Street0
11. Triq l-Isqof Scicluna (Bishop Scicluna Street)
12. Triq l-Aniċi (Anici Street)
13. Triq l-Ghaqda (Union Street)
14. Triq San Gorg (Saint George's Road)

Qormi (San Bastjan)

1. Dawret il-Ħamrun u l-Marsa (Marsa-Hamrun By-Pass)
2. Triq Ġużè Duca (Guzè Duca Street)
3. Triq l-Imdina (Mdina Road)
4. Triq Ħal-Luqa (Luqa Road)
5. Triq Ħal-Qormi (Qormi Road)
6. Triq il-Ġdida (New Street)
7. Triq il-Kanun (Canon Road)
8. Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
9. Triq il-Masġar (Garden Street)
10. Triq il-Mitħna (Mill Street)
11. Triq Manwel Dimech (Manoel Dimech Road)
12. Triq San Bartilmew (St Bhartolomeo Street)
13. Triq San Bastjan (St Sebastian Street)
14. Triq San Dwardu (St Edward Street)

Siġġiewi experiences

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

1. Pjazza San Nikola (St Nicholas Square)
2. Triq Blat il-Qamar (Moon's Rocks Street)
3. Triq Bur il-Kbir
4. Triq il-Knisja (Church Street)
5. Triq il-Knisja l-Qadima (Old Church Street)
6. Triq il-Mitħna (Mill Street)
7. Triq il-Parroċċa (Parish Street)
8. Triq it-Tabib Nikola Zammit
9. Triq l-Imqabba (Mqabba Road)
10. Triq Lapsi
11. Triq Mikiel Azzopardi
12. Triq San Nikola (St Nicholas Street)
13. Triq Santa Margarita (St Margareth Street)
14. Triq tan-Nofs (Middle Street)
15. Triq Dun Manuel Zammit(Fr. Manuel Zammit Street)

Tarxien experience

Tarxien is a small village found in the southern part of Malta. Today, the village is inhabited by just 7,608 villagers. When the summer comes, the heat drives most of the citizens of Tarxien to the seaside villages of Malta, often bringing down the population of the village to about two-thirds of what it is during the colder months.The parish church of Tarxien is dedicated to the Annunciation. The church was elevated to the status of parish in 1592, making it one of the older parishes of Malta. A key part of Tarxien culture is the feast of the Annunciation, an external feast is celebrated in late May or first Sunday of June. It is celebrated with large fireworks displays. Other feasts are Our Lady of the Doctrine which is celebrated on the third Sunday of July and Our Lady of the Rosary, which is celebrated every first Sunday of October.

There are at least three chapels in Tarxien. These are dedicated to St. Bartholomew, St. Mary and Ta'L-Erwieh respectively.

There is also another chapel which is housed in the convent of the Sisters of Charity. This is dedicated to 'Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception'. The same congregation have a school.

There is also another church and convent which belongs to the Augustinian Friars.

Tarxien Main Roads
Misraħ ir-Repubblika (Republic Square)
Misraħ is-Suq (Market Square)
Triq Birżebbuġa (Birzebbuga Road)
Triq Brittanika (Brittany Street)
Triq Ħal-Tarxien (Tarxien Road)
Triq id-Dejma (Dejma Street)
Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
Triq il-Palma (Palm Street)
Triq Paola (Paola Road)
Triq San Anard (St Leonard Road)
Triq Santa Marija (St Mary Street)
Triq Tal-Barrani (Tal-Barrani Road)

Xgħajra Malta

Xgħajra is a small village in Malta on the coast, about halfway between Valletta and Marsaskala. The population of Xgħajra is 1,234 people.

Its local football club is known as: Xgħajra Tornadoes F.C.

Xgħajra Main Roads
Dawret ix-Xatt (Strand By-Pass)
Triq Ħaż-Żabbar (Zabbar Road)
Triq il-Fortizza tal-Grazzja (Grazzia Fort Street)
Triq il-Knisja (Church Street)
Triq it-Torri ta' Alof de Wignacourt (Alof de Wignacourt Tower Street)