Attard
Encyclopedia
Ħ'Attard is a village located at the centre-most point of the island of Malta
. Together with Balzan
and Lija
it forms part of "the Three Villages" and has been inhabited since the Classical Period
. Ħ'Attard's traditional Latin
motto is Florigera rosis halo ("I perfume the air with my blossoms") due to its many flower garden
s and citrus orchards. Ħ'Attard is abundant with public gardens, including ornamental trees and flowers, maintained by the Local Council. The inhabitants of Ħ'Attard are known as saraċini.
and surrounding environs, is around 10,000. It comprises to its North, facing the city of Mdina
, the flat expanse called Ta' Qali. Beneath it the area known as Ta' l-Idward joins with Misrah Kola, across from Wied San Martin (St Martin's Valley), Wied Inċita (Valley of Instigation) and Wied Irmiedi (Valley of Ashes), on the Żebbuġ
side.
Its western front is bordered by Wied is-Sewda (Black Valley), on the Qormi
side. This is an anciently inhabited area known as Tax-Xarolla or That ir-Rahal and contains the "Tax-Xarolla Catacombs". On the 3rd of September, 1935 in a field known as 'Ta' Farrat' near the Xarolla Windmill, a tomb was found dating to the periods of the Carthaginians and Phoenicians, alongside later Roman pottery remains. On the 13th of June, 1930, a Roman tomb was uncovered nearby.
To its East, up to Tal-Mirakli (of the Miracles) chapel on the Lija
side, is a large zone called Ta' Fġieni bordering the village core and the 17th Century parish church at its center, built by architect Tumas Dingli
. Dingli, born and bred in Ħ'Attard, is best known for his work on Grandmaster Alof de Wignacourt
's aqueduct, the "Porta Reale
" entrance into Valletta
and several churches. Of these, only Ħ'Attard's parish church (with its idiosyncratic façade) remains unaltered. South of the village core is the Sant'Anton Quarter, named for San Anton Palace
and the palace's botanic gardens, both built by the Knights
between 1623 and 1636. It is now the official residence of the President of Malta and has long been a symbol of Ħ'Attard.
An increase in entertainment and commercial enterprise has seen development along Triq il-Pitkalija (Pitkalija Road) and nearby the village center, with various retail outlets catering to the village all within walking distance of St Mary's Parish Church. The village center is a hive of activity, especially on Sundays when residents of Ħ'Attard mingle with fellow churchgoers.
Ħ'Attard celebrates the feast of the Assumption of Mary
on 15 August. The 15th August is a national holiday on the Maltese islands. The parish's current parish priest is Noel Vassallo.
The Maltese surname "Attard" is possibly linked to the village (another derivation for the surname is the Italian town of "Atti" in Bologna.)
club house is situated in Ħ'Attard and is the representative body for amateur radio
in Malta
. Since MARL was established in 1922, its aim was to bring together people interested in amateur radio/electronics
and discuss and defend amateur radio matters with the local authorities. It provides educational facilities for members with interest in amateur radio/electronics and also an equipped amateur radio station
. MARL corresponds and expresses its ideas with local and foreign same-interest groups, providing its members the facilities of a two-way QSL
Bureau as well as financing and maintaining VHF & Analog television
repeaters and beacons.
The musical society of La Stella Levantina (Eastern Star) is the first of its kind in the village (formed in 1894). It organizes the major activities of the village feast held during the 11th -15 August, including band marches and feast decorations. It teaches music (at no cost) in its local club, situated in the center of the village.
official residence, San Anton Palace
, is situated in Ħ'Attard. Within walking distance of the President's residence is the official residence of the United States Ambassador to Malta
. The Tunisian and Libyan embassies to Malta are located in Ħ'Attard.
Gerald Strickland was also a resident of Ħ'Attard, at Villa Bologna.
Ħ'Attard is also home to Archbishop Paul Cremona
and Tiffany Pisani, the winner of Britain's Next Top Model
season 6.
as a prisoner, the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge
as an admiring recluse.
Governor Borton opened its botanic gardens to the public in 1882 for picnics and strolls. Its shaded open courtyards and gardens regularly host extremely popular fairs and competitions celebrating plants, flowers, pedigree (and non-pedigree) animals and livestock. A dramatic company put on a Shakespeare Festival every summer (this has since been discontinued) and music recitals, from chamber orchestras to jazz quarters, often patronize the gardens.
During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2005
, hosted by Malta, the President's Palace in Ħ'Attard served as a residence for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has its headquarters in Ħ'Attard. The MFSA has taken over those supervisory functions that were previously conducted by the Central Bank of Malta
, the Malta Stock Exchange and the Malta Financial Services Centre and is now an important regulator for financial services. The sector incorporates all financial activity especially investment, banking and insurance.
Ġonna li jfewħu biż-żahar tal-larinġ,
djar fl-isqaqien dellija,
ġawhra ta' tempju, dehra ta' ġmiel,
il-kenn ta' Omm għal dawk li bkew.
Dak li writna tul is-snin
ngħaddu 'l ta' warajna,
xhieda ħajja tal-ġrajjiet
li taw l-ogħla ġieħ lil Artna.
Bnadar iperpru mal-arbli għoljin,
twieqi għad-dawl miftuħa,
qniepen ferrieħa, kant taż-żerniq,
u l-ħolm sabiħ taż-żmien li ġej.
Dak li writna ...
"Gardens that are perfumed with orange blossoms,
houses in the shade of streets,
a temple's pearl, a beautiful sight,
a mother's refuge for those who wept.
What we have inherited throughout the ages,
we pass on to our children,
as witnesses of times passed,
we tell of those things that made our Land proud.
Flags flying on tall masts,
windows open to the light,
joyous bells, the song of dawn,
and beautiful dreams of days to come.
What we have inherited...."
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
. Together with Balzan
Balzan
Ħal Balzan is small village in Malta, one of the so called three villages, together with Attard and Lija.The village originally consisted of a group of small dwellings and farms but eventually grew, becoming a parish in the 17th century...
and Lija
Lija
Lija is a small village on the island of Malta. It forms part of the Three villages of Malta, along with Attard and Balzan. Lija has a baroque parish church and seven other small chapels...
it forms part of "the Three Villages" and has been inhabited since the Classical Period
Classical antiquity
Classical antiquity is a broad term for a long period of cultural history centered on the Mediterranean Sea, comprising the interlocking civilizations of ancient Greece and ancient Rome, collectively known as the Greco-Roman world...
. Ħ'Attard's traditional Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
motto is Florigera rosis halo ("I perfume the air with my blossoms") due to its many flower garden
Flower garden
A flower garden is any garden where flowers are grown for decorative purposes. Because flowers bloom at varying times of the year, and some plants are annual, dying each winter, the design of flower gardens can take into consideration to maintain a sequence of bloom and even of consistent color...
s and citrus orchards. Ħ'Attard is abundant with public gardens, including ornamental trees and flowers, maintained by the Local Council. The inhabitants of Ħ'Attard are known as saraċini.
Etymology
The name of 'Attard' is thought to have been derived from a surname. Maybe the first person who lived in the village was surnamed Attard. Nobody knows really what the word 'Attard' means. Some say it means blossoms as the word 'Attar' means fresh oil of the flowers.Municipality
As a municipality with its own local government structure since 1994, Ħ'Attard covers a surface area of about seven square kilometers. Its population, including the modern estate of Misrah KolaMisrah Kola
Misraħ Kola, is an Estate in the locality of Attard, Malta and is considered a part of Attard while not strictly belonging to the three villages made up of Attard, Balzan and Lija....
and surrounding environs, is around 10,000. It comprises to its North, facing the city of Mdina
Mdina
Mdina, Città Vecchia, or Città Notabile, is the old capital of Malta. Mdina is a medieval walled town situated on a hill in the centre of the island. Punic remains uncovered beyond the city’s walls suggest the importance of the general region to Malta’s Phoenician settlers. Mdina is commonly...
, the flat expanse called Ta' Qali. Beneath it the area known as Ta' l-Idward joins with Misrah Kola, across from Wied San Martin (St Martin's Valley), Wied Inċita (Valley of Instigation) and Wied Irmiedi (Valley of Ashes), on the Żebbuġ
Zebbug, Malta
Ħaż-Żebbuġ or Città Rohan is one of the oldest towns in Malta. Its population is 12,892 as of 2010 making it the 12th largest town in Malta.-History and origins:...
side.
Its western front is bordered by Wied is-Sewda (Black Valley), on the Qormi
Qormi
Qormi is a city in Malta with a population of 18,550 , which makes it the second largest locality in Malta...
side. This is an anciently inhabited area known as Tax-Xarolla or That ir-Rahal and contains the "Tax-Xarolla Catacombs". On the 3rd of September, 1935 in a field known as 'Ta' Farrat' near the Xarolla Windmill, a tomb was found dating to the periods of the Carthaginians and Phoenicians, alongside later Roman pottery remains. On the 13th of June, 1930, a Roman tomb was uncovered nearby.
To its East, up to Tal-Mirakli (of the Miracles) chapel on the Lija
Lija
Lija is a small village on the island of Malta. It forms part of the Three villages of Malta, along with Attard and Balzan. Lija has a baroque parish church and seven other small chapels...
side, is a large zone called Ta' Fġieni bordering the village core and the 17th Century parish church at its center, built by architect Tumas Dingli
Tumas Dingli
Tumas Dingli was an architect. His Father was called 'Gakbu', the Maltese name for Jacob while his mother was called 'Katarina', which is similar to the name Katrina in English....
. Dingli, born and bred in Ħ'Attard, is best known for his work on Grandmaster Alof de Wignacourt
Alof de Wignacourt
Fra' Alof de Wignacourt was the 54th Grand Master of the Order of Malta, from 1601 to 1622. He was of the langue of France. His reign was notable for the construction of a number of coastal fortifications , and of the aqueduct that brought water from the plateau above Rabat to Valletta...
's aqueduct, the "Porta Reale
City Gate (Malta)
City Gate - also known as Putirjal in Maltese - is the main entrance to Malta's capital city, Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is most commonly called Bieb il-Belt, "Door to the city"....
" entrance into Valletta
Valletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,098. The name "Valletta" is traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's...
and several churches. Of these, only Ħ'Attard's parish church (with its idiosyncratic façade) remains unaltered. South of the village core is the Sant'Anton Quarter, named for San Anton Palace
San Anton Palace
San Anton Palace is a palace located in Attard, Malta. It is the official residence of the President of Malta, and is surrounded by both private and public gardens.-History:...
and the palace's botanic gardens, both built by the Knights
Knights Hospitaller
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta , also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta , Order of Malta or Knights of Malta, is a Roman Catholic lay religious order, traditionally of military, chivalrous, noble nature. It is the world's...
between 1623 and 1636. It is now the official residence of the President of Malta and has long been a symbol of Ħ'Attard.
Development
During the 1980s Ħ'Attard experienced a boost in development, reflected in the large-scale construction surrounding the village center. However the area surrounding the church and the Sant'Anton Quarter feature a number of converted farmhouses (recognizable through their wooden doors and flat, rustic roofs) and residences built by the Knights of St John, surrounding the summer palace. Ħ'Attard is also the location of the St Catherine Nursing Home, one of the largest in the Maltese Islands. The Ħ'Attard Primary School serves as a polling station during elections and like all other localities in Malta, Ħ'Attard Local Council elections are held every three years.Ħ'Attard celebrates the feast of the Assumption of Mary
Assumption of Mary
According to the belief of Christians of the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, and parts of the Anglican Communion and Continuing Anglicanism, the Assumption of Mary was the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into Heaven at the end of her life...
on 15 August. The 15th August is a national holiday on the Maltese islands. The parish's current parish priest is Noel Vassallo.
Clubs and societies
The Malta Amateur Radio LeagueMalta Amateur Radio League
The Malta Amateur Radio League is a non-profit organization for amateur radio enthusiasts in Malta. Since MARL was established in 1922, its aim has been to bring together people interested in amateur radio and electronics, and to discuss and defend amateur radio matters and opinions with local...
club house is situated in Ħ'Attard and is the representative body for amateur radio
Amateur radio
Amateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...
in Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
. Since MARL was established in 1922, its aim was to bring together people interested in amateur radio/electronics
Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
and discuss and defend amateur radio matters with the local authorities. It provides educational facilities for members with interest in amateur radio/electronics and also an equipped amateur radio station
Amateur radio station
An amateur radio station is an installation designed to provide radiocommunications in the amateur radio service for an amateur radio operator. Radio amateurs build and operate several types of amateur radio stations, including fixed ground stations, mobile stations, space stations, and temporary...
. MARL corresponds and expresses its ideas with local and foreign same-interest groups, providing its members the facilities of a two-way QSL
QSL
QSL is one of the Q codes used in radiocommunication and radio broadcasting. A Q code message can stand for a statement or a question . In this case, QSL? means "do you confirm receipt of my transmission?" while QSL means "I confirm receipt of your transmission". Some also take it to mean "Query...
Bureau as well as financing and maintaining VHF & Analog television
Analog television
Analog television is the analog transmission that involves the broadcasting of encoded analog audio and analog video signal: one in which the message conveyed by the broadcast signal is a function of deliberate variations in the amplitude and/or frequency of the signal...
repeaters and beacons.
The musical society of La Stella Levantina (Eastern Star) is the first of its kind in the village (formed in 1894). It organizes the major activities of the village feast held during the 11th -15 August, including band marches and feast decorations. It teaches music (at no cost) in its local club, situated in the center of the village.
Notable residents
The President'sPresident of Malta
The President of Malta is the constitutional head of state of Malta.The President is appointed by a resolution of the House of Representatives of Malta for a five year term, taking an oath to "preserve, protect and defend" the Constitution....
official residence, San Anton Palace
San Anton Palace
San Anton Palace is a palace located in Attard, Malta. It is the official residence of the President of Malta, and is surrounded by both private and public gardens.-History:...
, is situated in Ħ'Attard. Within walking distance of the President's residence is the official residence of the United States Ambassador to Malta
United States Ambassador to Malta
This is a list of Ambassadors of the United States to Malta.Until 1964 Malta had been a part of the British Empire. Malta was granted full independence on September 21, 1964. The United States recognized the new nation and established full diplomatic relations...
. The Tunisian and Libyan embassies to Malta are located in Ħ'Attard.
Gerald Strickland was also a resident of Ħ'Attard, at Villa Bologna.
Ħ'Attard is also home to Archbishop Paul Cremona
Paul Cremona
Archbishop Paul Cremona O.P. is the 11th Archbishop of Malta and a Dominican friar. In Maltese his full name and style is: Monsinjur Pietru Pawlu Cremona. He was ordained to the episcopate and installed as Archbishop of Malta on 26 January 2007, the day after his 61st birthday.-Family life:Paul...
and Tiffany Pisani, the winner of Britain's Next Top Model
Britain's Next Top Model
Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model is a British reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of Britain's Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modelling industry...
season 6.
San Anton Palace and Gardens
Sant'Anton is not only rich in artistic and historical legacies, but has been a historical center for entertainment and celebrations and a constant job-provider and place of apprenticeship for Ħ'Attard residents. The palace has greeted numerous royalty across the centuries, including Queen Marie of Romania, the Russian Empress Marie Feodorovna, King Edward VII and Queen Elizabeth II. It has seen the most distinguished visitors in contrasting personal situations - Napoleon's younger brother Louis BonaparteLouis Bonaparte
Louis Napoléon Bonaparte, Prince Français, Comte de Saint-Leu , King of Holland , was the fifth surviving child and the fourth surviving son of Carlo Buonaparte and Letizia Ramolino...
as a prisoner, the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge was an English poet, Romantic, literary critic and philosopher who, with his friend William Wordsworth, was a founder of the Romantic Movement in England and a member of the Lake Poets. He is probably best known for his poems The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla...
as an admiring recluse.
Governor Borton opened its botanic gardens to the public in 1882 for picnics and strolls. Its shaded open courtyards and gardens regularly host extremely popular fairs and competitions celebrating plants, flowers, pedigree (and non-pedigree) animals and livestock. A dramatic company put on a Shakespeare Festival every summer (this has since been discontinued) and music recitals, from chamber orchestras to jazz quarters, often patronize the gardens.
During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2005
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2005
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2005 was the nineteenth Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Nations. It was held in Valletta, Malta, between 25 November and 27 November 2005, and hosted by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi....
, hosted by Malta, the President's Palace in Ħ'Attard served as a residence for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA)
Central Bank of Malta
The Central Bank of Malta was established on 17 April 1968. In May 2004, when Malta joined the European Union, it became an integral part of the European System of Central Banks. It was responsible for, amongst other things, issuing Maltese lira banknotes and coins, before Malta adopted the euro...
, the Malta Stock Exchange and the Malta Financial Services Centre and is now an important regulator for financial services. The sector incorporates all financial activity especially investment, banking and insurance.
Ħ'Attard Anthem
Listen to the anthemĠonna li jfewħu biż-żahar tal-larinġ,
djar fl-isqaqien dellija,
ġawhra ta' tempju, dehra ta' ġmiel,
il-kenn ta' Omm għal dawk li bkew.
Dak li writna tul is-snin
ngħaddu 'l ta' warajna,
xhieda ħajja tal-ġrajjiet
li taw l-ogħla ġieħ lil Artna.
Bnadar iperpru mal-arbli għoljin,
twieqi għad-dawl miftuħa,
qniepen ferrieħa, kant taż-żerniq,
u l-ħolm sabiħ taż-żmien li ġej.
Dak li writna ...
"Gardens that are perfumed with orange blossoms,
houses in the shade of streets,
a temple's pearl, a beautiful sight,
a mother's refuge for those who wept.
What we have inherited throughout the ages,
we pass on to our children,
as witnesses of times passed,
we tell of those things that made our Land proud.
Flags flying on tall masts,
windows open to the light,
joyous bells, the song of dawn,
and beautiful dreams of days to come.
What we have inherited...."
Interesting places
- Ħ'Attard Cemetery (at Mdina Road)
- Church of the Assumption (at Church Square)
- Local Council Garden (at Triq l-Inhasa)
- Biccerija l-Qadima (at Triq Gradilja)
- Old Shooting Range (at Qormi Road)
- San Anton Palace and Gardens (on De Paule Avenue)
- St. Anne Chapel (on St. Anne Street)
- St. Catherine Hospital (on St. Catherine Street)
- St. Paul Chapel (on St. Paul Street)
- Mount Carmel Hospital (at Mdina Road)
- Europa Government Nursery (on Msina Road)
- Track of Malta Railway (on Triq il-Linja)
- Villa Bologna (on St. Anthony Street)
- Wied Incita
- Wied is-Sewda
Old Village core
- Pjazza tal-Knisja (Church Square)
- Triq Ħal Qormi (Qormi Road)
- Triq Ħaż-Żebbuġ (Żebbuġ Road)
- Triq il-Belt Valletta (Valletta Road)
- Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
- Triq il-Knisja (Church Street)
- Triq il-Pjazzetta (Small Square Street)
- Triq San Duminku (St. Domenic's Street)
- Triq Santa Marija (St. Mary's Street)
- Triq Tommaso Dingli (T. Dingli Street)
Community service
- St Mary Parish Church, Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
- Ħ'Attard Area Library, Tumas Dingli Primary School
- Ħ'Attard Local Council, Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
- Ħ'Attard Police Station, Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
- Ħ'Attard Sub-Post Office, Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
- Ħ'Attard Malta Labour Party Club, Triq Tumas Dingli (Thomas Dingli Street)
- Ħ'Attard Partit Nazzjonalista Club, Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
- Ħ'Attard Health Centre, Triq Birkirkara (B'Kara Road)
- Ħ'Attard Primary School Tumas Dingli, Ħal-Warda Road
- 93.3 Central FM93.3 Central FM93.3 Central FM was a community radio station based on the island of Malta and serving mainly three villages: Attard, Lija and Balzan. 93.3 Central FM went on air on the 15 January 2006. The station was founded and managed by Maltese radio personality Andre` Bugeja...
, a community radio, now defunct
Zones
- Ħ'Attard Industrial Estate
- Qrib Sant' Anton
- Misraħ Kola (Claus Square)
- Ta' Qali
- Robbu Tal-Ħemsija
- Ta' Ħemsija
- Ta' Qali Crafts Village
- Ta' Sagħat
- Ta' Vnezja
- Tal-Madliena
- Tal-Madonna (Our Lady's Village)
- Tal-Maltija (Maltese Woman's Village)
- Ta' Qassati
- Il-Ħotob (The Hunchbacks)
- Il-Ħofor (The Holes)
- Santa Katerina (Saint Catherine)
- Ta' Fġieni
- Tal-Idward
- Ta' Srina
- Ta' Vestru
- Taċ-Ċawla
- Tal-Fuklar (Fireplace Village)
- Tal-Karri
- Tal-Mirakli
- Wied il-Ħemsija
- Wied Inċita
- Wied is-Sewda (Black Woman's Valley)
Main roads
- Pjazza tal-Knisja (Church's Square)
- Triq l-Imdina (Mdina Road)
- Triq iż-Żagħfran
- Triq in-Nutar Zarb (Notary Zarb Street)
- Triq il-Belt Valletta (Valletta Road)
- Triq il-Knisja (Church Street)
- Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
- Triq il-Linja (Railway Track Street)
- Triq il-Mosta (Mosta Road)
- Triq Sant' Antnon (St Anthony Street)
- Triq Santa Katarina (St Catherine Street)
- Triq il-Pitkali (Pitkali Street)
- Triq Victor Vassallo (Victor Vassallo Street)
- Triq Ħal-Warda (Hal Warda Road)
- Triq Ħaż-Żebbuġ (Żebbuġ Road)