Bidnija
Encyclopedia
The village of Bidnija is situated on a rural hamlet
in the central northern part of Malta
, and home to 308 people (by 2008) which means that it is the second smallest village in the Maltese islands after Mdina
(236 people). Bidnija is a tiny village even by Maltese standards, and is located between two main valley
s which are 'Wied Qannotta' and 'Wied Tal-Pwales' that extends into other small valleys surrounding the area. It is still largely a farmer's village since it is entirely surrounded by fields which mainly belongs to the inhabitants themselves, although in recent years many have moved here in order to enjoy the quiet life amidst the countryside.
In the present, Bidnija does not have its own local council. However in these last years Bidnija has become divided into 2 parts with the main part of the village in the limits of Mosta
local council and another part in the limits of St. Paul's Bay
local council.
Bidnija has good horse riding facilities and is also home of a clay pigeon shooting club. There is also a small restaurant which specialises in the traditional Maltese Rabbit Stew.
Bidnija's small church is dedicated to the Holy Family and a Feast is celebrated in July.
Bidnija took its name from the 'Bidni olive trees' grove that is found in this village and can date back to 5,000 years. Antique Olive Grove at Bidnija has a Protected area
status. These olives are of good importance to olive-oil's productivity. Archaeologists and Researchers also believe some Roman remains (e.g. Roman villas; tombs) can be found nearby, as Bidnija makes part of the rural surroundings of Rabat
(Mdina
), which served as a City in those ages, and also is not far from Salina coast which was a Roman harbour in the past.
Apart from this, one can notice the curt ruts that are found in the surroundings of Bidnija. This proves that Bidnija was already active from thousands of years ago.
Along the years, the farmers of the locality built their own farmhouses in Bidnija which nowadays are inherited by their own children, grandchidren and relatives which are still living in the village and makes part of its history. It was during this period that the inhabitants which in population where about 25 families, showed their wish to build a church to serve for their spiritual needs. The works on the church's building started in 1920 and was ready in two years time.
In the early 1900s, a number of small rooms where built all around the hill's edges. These served for the English soldiers to stay in watching the Maltese island during the World War II
when Malta was an English colony. A number of war shelters are also spread all around Bidnija. These shelters served as a shelter to the farmers and the inhabitants of the village during the war.
of Nazareth. A titular painting, together with two other works in this church are painted by Ganni Vella.
The titular statue of the Holy Family was made by Wistin Camilleri and blessed in July 1977 by the Archpriest of Mosta of those years Mons. Bartolomeo Bezzina and a procession was made for the first time. The Feast with the procession in the streets of Bidnija is celebrated by the people of this village on the 3rd Sunday of July.
Hamlet (place)
A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
in the central northern part of 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...
, and home to 308 people (by 2008) which means that it is the second smallest village in the Maltese islands after 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...
(236 people). Bidnija is a tiny village even by Maltese standards, and is located between two main valley
Valley
In geology, a valley or dale is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. A very deep river valley may be called a canyon or gorge.The terms U-shaped and V-shaped are descriptive terms of geography to characterize the form of valleys...
s which are 'Wied Qannotta' and 'Wied Tal-Pwales' that extends into other small valleys surrounding the area. It is still largely a farmer's village since it is entirely surrounded by fields which mainly belongs to the inhabitants themselves, although in recent years many have moved here in order to enjoy the quiet life amidst the countryside.
In the present, Bidnija does not have its own local council. However in these last years Bidnija has become divided into 2 parts with the main part of the village in the limits of Mosta
Mosta
Mosta is a town situated in the middle of the island of Malta, to the north-west of Valletta. It had a population of 19,018 people in 2010. 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...
local council and another part in the limits of St. Paul's Bay
St. Paul's Bay
Saint Paul's Bay is a town in Malta, situated in the north east of the island of Malta, sixteen kilometres from the capital city Valletta.Its name refers to the shipwreck of Saint Paul, as documented in the Acts of the Apostles, due to the tradition that Saint Paul was shipwrecked on the isles,...
local council.
Bidnija has good horse riding facilities and is also home of a clay pigeon shooting club. There is also a small restaurant which specialises in the traditional Maltese Rabbit Stew.
Bidnija's small church is dedicated to the Holy Family and a Feast is celebrated in July.
History of Bidnija
Bidnija is situated in the northern central part of Malta which through ages was a very good position and active part in Malta.Bidnija took its name from the 'Bidni olive trees' grove that is found in this village and can date back to 5,000 years. Antique Olive Grove at Bidnija has a Protected area
Protected area
Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...
status. These olives are of good importance to olive-oil's productivity. Archaeologists and Researchers also believe some Roman remains (e.g. Roman villas; tombs) can be found nearby, as Bidnija makes part of the rural surroundings of Rabat
Rabat, Malta
Rabat is a village just outside Mdina, Malta. The name of the village is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb': الرباط, as it was the suburb of the old capital Mdina. Half of the present-day village core also formed part of the Roman city of Melita, before the latter was resized during the...
(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...
), which served as a City in those ages, and also is not far from Salina coast which was a Roman harbour in the past.
Apart from this, one can notice the curt ruts that are found in the surroundings of Bidnija. This proves that Bidnija was already active from thousands of years ago.
Along the years, the farmers of the locality built their own farmhouses in Bidnija which nowadays are inherited by their own children, grandchidren and relatives which are still living in the village and makes part of its history. It was during this period that the inhabitants which in population where about 25 families, showed their wish to build a church to serve for their spiritual needs. The works on the church's building started in 1920 and was ready in two years time.
In the early 1900s, a number of small rooms where built all around the hill's edges. These served for the English soldiers to stay in watching the Maltese island during the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
when Malta was an English colony. A number of war shelters are also spread all around Bidnija. These shelters served as a shelter to the farmers and the inhabitants of the village during the war.
Bidnija Church
In the 1920s a church designed by master mason Salvu Zahra, was built in the area by the inhabitants themselves to serve for their spiritual needs. In two years time, the church was built and each family in Bidnija decided to donate something to furnish the church. This church is dedicated to the Holy FamilyHoly Family
The Holy Family consists of the Child Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph.The Feast of the Holy Family is a liturgical celebration in the Roman Catholic Church in honor of Jesus of Nazareth, his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his foster father, Saint Joseph, as a family...
of Nazareth. A titular painting, together with two other works in this church are painted by Ganni Vella.
The titular statue of the Holy Family was made by Wistin Camilleri and blessed in July 1977 by the Archpriest of Mosta of those years Mons. Bartolomeo Bezzina and a procession was made for the first time. The Feast with the procession in the streets of Bidnija is celebrated by the people of this village on the 3rd Sunday of July.
Streets in Bidnija
- Triq Il-Bidnija (Main Road)
- Triq Is-Sagra Familja
- Triq Tal-Milord
- Triq Il-Bdiewa
- Triq Iż-Żebbuġ
- Triq Il-Ħarruba
- Triq Il-Girna
- Triq Għajn Riħana
- Triq Tal-Karri
- Triq Ta' l-Għażżi
- Triq Ta' Ħal-Dragu
- Triq Ta' Ġebel Għawżara
- Sqaq Ta' San Pawl Milqi
Valleys Around Bidnija
- Wied Celestina
- Wied l-Imsellit
- Wied L-Arkata
- Wied Qannotta
- Wied tal-Pwales
- Wied tal-Hzejjen
Zones Around Bidnija
- Busewdien
- Għajn Astas
- Ħal Dragu
- Ħanxara
- Ħotba ta' San Martin
- Il-Folju
- Il-Palma
- Il-Qolla
- L-Arġentier
- L-Imbordin
- Ras il-Wied
- San Martin
- Simar
- Ta' Garrum
- Ta' Rkuplu
- Tal-Fjuri
- Tal-Ħireb
- Wardija