Zabbar
Encyclopedia
Ħaż-Żabbar is the fourth largest town in Malta
, with a population of 17,030 (2010). Originally a part of Żejtun
, Ħaż-Żabbar was granted the title of Città Hompesch by the last of the Grandmasters of the Knights of St. John to reign in Malta, Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim
.
The Grandmaster gave his surname to the city, which is still known (in honorem) as Città Hompesch.
word 'tiżbor', the process of pruning
trees. Indeed, a number of families who specialised in pruning, żbir, are known to have lived in the vicinity of this village during the Middle Ages
. Other possibilities of this derivation exist. Żabbar was also the surname of an important family that was known to have lived in the area. Ħaż-Żabbar could also have been a corruption of Ħas-Sabbar (the consoler village), because people from all over the island used to visit the village to pray Our Lady of Graces for consolation.
The word sabbar could also be the plural of sabbara (the Aloe Vera plant) in Maltese. This would be derived from the Arabic sabbar or subbar meaning cacti. In fact, in some Arab countries sabar means prickly pear. The “s” in this case, is strong and is pronounced as “z”. Judging by the names of other Maltese villages, like nearby Zejtun (meaning olive in Arabic) it seems quite probable that such names may have agricultural connotations.
File:zabbar-sanctuary.jpg|Zabbar Sanctuary
File:LadyofGraces.jpg|The Statue of Our Lady of Graces found at Zabbar
fortifications (enclosing the localities of Vittoriosa and Cospicua), to the east by Marsascala and
to the south by Żejtun. Ħaż-Żabbar has the largest population of all localities within the area. The western part of this town, composed essentially of Il-Biccieni and Tal-Bajjada (also known
as Il-Misrah) areas, is characterized by high dwelling density and comprises a series of winding
streets that define the village core. The eastern half is mostly suburban with more
recent developments mostly in the form of terraced housing and modern maisonettes and
apartments. Ħaż-Żabbar has two other distinct residential neighbourhoods namely Bulebel iz-Zghir, which is
characterized by Government housing estates/ multi-storey apartment blocks and rows of
terraced house units that were constructed out of various Home Ownership Schemes (HOS),
and the area referred to as St.Peter’s.
Ħaż-Żabbar was granted city status by the last Grand Master on Malta, Ferdinand de Hompesch, in whose name the population built a triumphal arch on the main approach road from Paola through Fgura.
.
a number of forts and batteries were built in the area. These were Fort St Rocco, Fort St Leonardo, Delle Grazie Battery and Zonqor Battery.
Fort St Rocco was built between 1873 and 1875. It was later expanded and 3 cannons were fitted. Also, Fort St leonardo was fitted with 4 cannons. These two forts took care of the neighboring seas.
The two batteries also took care of the area altogether with the Rinella battery which contains the famous 100 ton Armstrong Gun.
, XM645 of No.9 Squadron RAF
, exploded over the village with many parts of it falling on the school and one wing full of fuel on Sanctuary Street, the main street of the village. Fortunately the children were having their break at that time and were safely evacuated by the supervising teachers and headmaster. The whole accident, which involved other parts of the city, due to the violent explosion, claimed six victims. Five of them were crew members trapped in the plane. The sixth was a civilian, who was hit by an electricity cable torn down by the falling wing. Various items (including the aircraft undercarriage) can be seen at the Ħaż-Żabbar Sanctuary Museum.
, to whom the city Sanctuary is dedicated. A vast number of paintings and other artefacts can be found in the Sanctuary Museum, most of which have 'VFGA' in some way or other imprinted on them. This is the Latin
abbreviation for Votum Fecit, Gratiam Accipit, meaning that a grace has been asked for and it had been granted due to intercession by the Madonna tal-Grazzja (Our Lady of Grace). These paintings are one of the largest votive paintings called Ex-Votos collection, about marine subjects and give large detail about ships of the Knights of Malta
era. The Mattia Preti
painting, found in the town's museum, is a particularly beautiful and invaluable painting.
and bicycle
pilgrimage each starting from Mosta
and Rabat
respectively. This is done because Our Lady of Grace
is the patron of cyclists. Strong competition exists between the village's two band clubs, locally known as the Società Filarmonica Maria Mater Gratiæ
(the Blues) and the Għaqda Madonna Tal-Grazzja Banda San Mikiel (the Greens).
Another feast celebrated in Ħaż-Żabbar includes St. Michael the Archangel on the third Sunday after the 8th of September. A procession of Our Lady of the Rosary
is also held on the 7th of October.
Ħadd in-Nies or People's Sunday
is celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent. An afternoon pilgrimage, having a different starting point each year, is led by the Archbishop of Malta and ends at the Our Lady of Grace Sanctuary where a pontifical mass is celebrated. Among the celebrations for this feast one can mention the Classical Music Concerts held by the two local band cubs in the Notre Dame Hall.
.
, this chapel is found in one of the oldest quarters of Ħaż-Żabbar. A painting on the altar shows Mary being transported into Heaven with her body and soul united. A very nice statue of Our Lady of Sorrows
is found in this chapel.
(in Provincia di Palermo
) since September 1997 when a twinning Protocol was signed.
The Council was officially invited to Villabate
when Dr. Fina, as a Comissario Straordinario, was responsible for the running of the day-to-day business. The invitation was the result of an annual reciprocal activity with regard to the Onorificenza Cittadino Del Anno. This commitment is now being honoured on a reciprocal basis.
Besides the Twinning with Villabate the Council also has a Partnership Agreement with three other European cities namely, Montgeron
, Povoa’ de Varzim and Eschborn
. The Partnership Agreement was signed in July 2001 during the International Youth Summer Camp organised by Ħaż-Żabbar.
team
is St. Patrick's FC
. including St. Patrick's Nursery FC. Two amateur football teams are Ħaż-Żabbar Crystal Blues and Ħaż-Żabbar Athletics. Other sports clubs include Ħaż-Żabbar Shooting Club, Ħaż-Żabbar Boċċi Club,St Peters Boċċi Club, Ħaż-Żabbar Subbuteo Club, and Ħaż-Żabbar Amateur Racing Club
Agatha Barbara (d.1987)
Bishop
Mons. Paolo Darmanin
Politicians
Dr Giuseppe Agius Muscat (d.1951 ),
Renato Agius Muscat (d.2011)
Dr Francis Agius,
Espedito Catania (d. 1985),
Dr Elena Dalli,
Dr Josie Muscat,
Alfred Portelli,
Leli Tabone (d.1980),
Former Parish Priest
Mons. Joseph Zarb (d.1985)
Writers
Karmenu Ellul Galea (d. 2007),
Dr Carmel Mallia,
Prof. Daniel Massa,
Achille Mizzi,
Alfred Palma,
George Peresso,
P. Mattew Sultana (d.1986),
Educationist
Dr Frans Chetcuti (d. 1983),
Historian
Carmel Bonavia,
Singers
Fredu Abela, Il-Bamboċċu – (Folk singer) (d.2003),
Graziana Axisa (Vocalist),
Phyllisienne Brincat (Vocalist),
Charles Vincenti (Tenor),
Maria Mallia(Vocalist),
Mike Spiteri (Vocalist),
Footballer
Clayton Failla (National team, ex St Patrick’s FC)
TV Presenters
Quinton Scerri (ONE)
Musicians
Mro John. J. Pace,
Mro Wiġi Bongailas (d.1985),
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...
, with a population of 17,030 (2010). Originally a part of Żejtun
Zejtun
Żejtun is a medium sized town in the south of Malta. Żejtun holds the title of Città Beland, which was bestowed by Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim, Grandmaster of Knights of Malta in 1797, Beland being his mother's surname....
, Ħaż-Żabbar was granted the title of Città Hompesch by the last of the Grandmasters of the Knights of St. John to reign in Malta, Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim
Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim
Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim was the 71st Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta, the first German to be elected to the office....
.
The Grandmaster gave his surname to the city, which is still known (in honorem) as Città Hompesch.
Etymology
The name of the city probably derives from the MalteseMaltese language
Maltese is the national language of Malta, and a co-official language of the country alongside English,while also serving as an official language of the European Union, the only Semitic language so distinguished. Maltese is descended from Siculo-Arabic...
word 'tiżbor', the process of pruning
Pruning
Pruning is a horticultural practice involving the selective removal of parts of a plant, such as branches, buds, or roots. Reasons to prune plants include deadwood removal, shaping , improving or maintaining health, reducing risk from falling branches, preparing nursery specimens for...
trees. Indeed, a number of families who specialised in pruning, żbir, are known to have lived in the vicinity of this village during the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
. Other possibilities of this derivation exist. Żabbar was also the surname of an important family that was known to have lived in the area. Ħaż-Żabbar could also have been a corruption of Ħas-Sabbar (the consoler village), because people from all over the island used to visit the village to pray Our Lady of Graces for consolation.
The word sabbar could also be the plural of sabbara (the Aloe Vera plant) in Maltese. This would be derived from the Arabic sabbar or subbar meaning cacti. In fact, in some Arab countries sabar means prickly pear. The “s” in this case, is strong and is pronounced as “z”. Judging by the names of other Maltese villages, like nearby Zejtun (meaning olive in Arabic) it seems quite probable that such names may have agricultural connotations.
File:zabbar-sanctuary.jpg|Zabbar Sanctuary
File:LadyofGraces.jpg|The Statue of Our Lady of Graces found at Zabbar
Demography
Ħaż-Żabbar is bound to the north by Kalkara and Xghajra, to the west by Fgura and Cottonerafortifications (enclosing the localities of Vittoriosa and Cospicua), to the east by Marsascala and
to the south by Żejtun. Ħaż-Żabbar has the largest population of all localities within the area. The western part of this town, composed essentially of Il-Biccieni and Tal-Bajjada (also known
as Il-Misrah) areas, is characterized by high dwelling density and comprises a series of winding
streets that define the village core. The eastern half is mostly suburban with more
recent developments mostly in the form of terraced housing and modern maisonettes and
apartments. Ħaż-Żabbar has two other distinct residential neighbourhoods namely Bulebel iz-Zghir, which is
characterized by Government housing estates/ multi-storey apartment blocks and rows of
terraced house units that were constructed out of various Home Ownership Schemes (HOS),
and the area referred to as St.Peter’s.
History
The town was used as an encampment by the Ottoman armies at the outset of the Great Siege and later as a base by the Maltese insurgents against French rule in around 1800. A memorable battle took place in front of the Ħaż-Żabbar Sanctuary. To this day, French-era cannon-balls are to be seen in household walls in the city's older parts and some are also in the church museum after being retrieved from the old church dome.Ħaż-Żabbar was granted city status by the last Grand Master on Malta, Ferdinand de Hompesch, in whose name the population built a triumphal arch on the main approach road from Paola through Fgura.
1951
A memorable date for the Żabbarin. The then Metropolitan Archbishop of Malta Michael Gonzi crowned the miraculous image of Our Lady of Grace venerated in her Sanctuary. A large crowd gathered in front of the Sanctuary on Sunday 2 September 1951. During 2001 a twelve star silver diadem was placed on it by Archbishop Joseph Mercieca, in celebration of the Golden JubileeGolden Jubilee
A Golden Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 50th anniversary.- In Thailand :King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, celebrated his Golden Jubilee on 9 June 1996.- In the Commonwealth Realms :...
.
British Era
During the British eraHistory of Malta
Malta has been inhabited since it was settled around 5200 BC from Sicily. It was settled by the Phoenicians and later the Greeks who named the island Μελίτη meaning "honey sweet" in reference to Malta's endemic variety of bee.-B.C.:*5000 First Human settlers...
a number of forts and batteries were built in the area. These were Fort St Rocco, Fort St Leonardo, Delle Grazie Battery and Zonqor Battery.
Fort St Rocco was built between 1873 and 1875. It was later expanded and 3 cannons were fitted. Also, Fort St leonardo was fitted with 4 cannons. These two forts took care of the neighboring seas.
The two batteries also took care of the area altogether with the Rinella battery which contains the famous 100 ton Armstrong Gun.
Recent history
More recently, on October 14, 1975 Vulcan B. 2Avro Vulcan
The Avro Vulcan, sometimes referred to as the Hawker Siddeley Vulcan, was a jet-powered delta wing strategic bomber, operated by the Royal Air Force from 1956 until 1984. Aircraft manufacturer A V Roe & Co designed the Vulcan in response to Specification B.35/46. Of the three V bombers produced,...
, XM645 of No.9 Squadron RAF
No. IX Squadron RAF
No. 9 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was the first in the service to receive the Panavia Tornado, which it currently operates from RAF Marham, Norfolk.-First World War:...
, exploded over the village with many parts of it falling on the school and one wing full of fuel on Sanctuary Street, the main street of the village. Fortunately the children were having their break at that time and were safely evacuated by the supervising teachers and headmaster. The whole accident, which involved other parts of the city, due to the violent explosion, claimed six victims. Five of them were crew members trapped in the plane. The sixth was a civilian, who was hit by an electricity cable torn down by the falling wing. Various items (including the aircraft undercarriage) can be seen at the Ħaż-Żabbar Sanctuary Museum.
Culture
The city is very devout, particularly to Our Lady of GraceOur Lady of Grace
Our Lady of Grace is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It may also refer to:England*A Roman Catholic church in Chiswick, London, England, in the Archdiocese of Westminster*Our Lady of Grace School , in Prestwich, Greater Manchester...
, to whom the city Sanctuary is dedicated. A vast number of paintings and other artefacts can be found in the Sanctuary Museum, most of which have 'VFGA' in some way or other imprinted on them. This is the 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...
abbreviation for Votum Fecit, Gratiam Accipit, meaning that a grace has been asked for and it had been granted due to intercession by the Madonna tal-Grazzja (Our Lady of Grace). These paintings are one of the largest votive paintings called Ex-Votos collection, about marine subjects and give large detail about ships of the Knights of Malta
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...
era. The Mattia Preti
Mattia Preti
Mattia Preti was an Italian Baroque artist who worked in Italy and Malta.- Biography :Born in the small town of Taverna in Calabria, Preti was sometimes called Il Cavalier Calabrese...
painting, found in the town's museum, is a particularly beautiful and invaluable painting.
The Sanctuary
The building of the Church of Our Lady of Graces was started in 1641 at the instigation of the Parish Priest Don Francesco Piscopo and was completed in 1660 according to another. A Maltese proverb says "a church is never finished", which is another way of stating that the people in a particular parish are never satisfied with their own church and, depending on their means, are forever the ambition that the church in one’s village be better and bigger than the church in the next parish. The good people of Ħaż-Żabbar are no exception. Largely from the private funds of the Parish Priest Andrea Buhagiar, in addition to money collected from the people of Ħaż-Żabbar, work on embellishing the church was started in 1738. The Maltese architect Giovanni Bonavia redesigned the façade and two belltowers were erected; in addition the church was paved in marble and provided with a crypt. The main painting of the Madonna and Child is a work by the painter Alessio Erardi (1669–1727).Feasts
Ħaż-Żabbar is famous for its village feast on the first Sunday after the 8 September, which features a motorcycleMotorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
and bicycle
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
pilgrimage each starting from 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...
and Rabat
Rabat
Rabat , is the capital and third largest city of the Kingdom of Morocco with a population of approximately 650,000...
respectively. This is done because Our Lady of Grace
Our Lady of Grace
Our Lady of Grace is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It may also refer to:England*A Roman Catholic church in Chiswick, London, England, in the Archdiocese of Westminster*Our Lady of Grace School , in Prestwich, Greater Manchester...
is the patron of cyclists. Strong competition exists between the village's two band clubs, locally known as the Società Filarmonica Maria Mater Gratiæ
Società Filarmonica Maria Mater Gratiæ
The Società Filarmonica Maria Mater Gratiæ is a band club in Żabbar, Malta.Founded in 1883 by Francesco Saverio Briffa, the organization was initially known as "Societa del Żabbar" or "the village band". The club's main aim of cultivating love towards music. Throughout the years, the club has...
(the Blues) and the Għaqda Madonna Tal-Grazzja Banda San Mikiel (the Greens).
Another feast celebrated in Ħaż-Żabbar includes St. Michael the Archangel on the third Sunday after the 8th of September. A procession of Our Lady of the Rosary
Our Lady of the Rosary
Our Lady of the Rosary is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary in relation to the rosary....
is also held on the 7th of October.
Ħadd in-Nies or People's Sunday
People's Sunday
The People's Sunday celebrations are held on the first Sunday of Lent at Żabbar, Malta, popularly known as Ħadd in-Nies, are living recollections of the centuries-old devotion to Our Lady of Graces...
is celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent. An afternoon pilgrimage, having a different starting point each year, is led by the Archbishop of Malta and ends at the Our Lady of Grace Sanctuary where a pontifical mass is celebrated. Among the celebrations for this feast one can mention the Classical Music Concerts held by the two local band cubs in the Notre Dame Hall.
Band Clubs
- Maria Mater Gratiae Philarmonic Society (Is-Soċjetà Filarmonika Marija tal-Grazzja). Founded in 1883. - Maria Mater Gratiae Philarmonic Society
- Our Lady of Graces Club - St. Michael Band (L-Għaqda Madonna tal-Grazzja - Banda San Mikiel). Founded in 1883.
Holy Week
The Għaqda Madonna Tal-Grazzja Banda San Mikiel organises an annual Holy Week exhibition. This exhibition, held inside the World War 2 Shelter in the square where the Għaqda Madonna Tal-Grazzja Banda San Mikiel club is situated, includes life size figures depicting the Passion of Christ.Attractions
- Ħaż-Żabbar Sanctuary Museum
- Hompesch Arch
- Mediatrix Place (War Memorial, Hompesch Monument and Mgr. Joseph Zarb Monument)
- Sanctuary Street (Our Lady of Grace statue, Agatha BarbaraAgatha BarbaraAgatha Barbara was a Maltese politician, having served as a Labour Member of Parliament and Minister, and President of Malta. She was the first and, to date, the only female President of Malta.-Early life:...
, former President of the Repuiblic Monument), Giuseppe Agius Muscat, former minister, monument; Grand Master Ferdind von Hompesch Monument - Saint James Square
- Saint Leonard Fort
- Various religious statues in the town's core
Annunciation Church
This chapel is situated in Main Street between the Labour Party and St.Patrick F.C. Clubs. It is dedicated to the AnnunciationAnnunciation
The Annunciation, also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary or Annunciation of the Lord, is the Christian celebration of the announcement by the angel Gabriel to Virgin Mary, that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus the Son of God. Gabriel told Mary to name her...
.
Santa Marija Chapel
Dedicated to the Assumption of MaryAssumption 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...
, this chapel is found in one of the oldest quarters of Ħaż-Żabbar. A painting on the altar shows Mary being transported into Heaven with her body and soul united. A very nice statue of Our Lady of Sorrows
Our Lady of Sorrows
Our Lady of Sorrows , the Sorrowful Mother or Mother of Sorrows , and Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows or Our Lady of the Seven Dolours are names by which the Blessed Virgin Mary is referred to in relation to sorrows in her life...
is found in this chapel.
Holy Cross Church
This church was inaugurated in 1993 to serve the growing community in the most modern part of Ħaż-Żabbar.Maria Bambina Centre
This is used for the teaching of Catechism and Mass on certain days of the week.Saint Andrew Church
Built in the 15th century this chapel is found next to Santa Domenica Church. Nowadays it is used for masses.Our Lady of Mercy Church
This chapel is found in the town's cemetery. It is used for funeral services and for mass.Our Lady of the Pillar Church
This is a very small church. In 1585 Ġuzeppi Testaferrata donated money and helped to organise the feast dedicated to Our Lady. Currently the chapel is not being used.Local Council
The current local council members are:- Domenic Agius (mayor, PL)
- Joseph Buttigieg (PN)
- John Pace (PL)
- Mark Grech (PL)
- Joseph Bonnici (PL)
- Robert Buhagiar (PL)
- Keith Pisani (PL)
- Anna Calleja (PN)
- Kevin Plumpton (PN)
Twin towns — sister cities
Ħaż-Żabbar has been twinned with the City of VillabateVillabate
Villabate is a comune in the Province of Palermo in the Italian region Sicily, located about 8 km southeast of Palermo. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 19,441 and an area of 3.8 km²....
(in Provincia di Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
) since September 1997 when a twinning Protocol was signed.
The Council was officially invited to Villabate
Villabate
Villabate is a comune in the Province of Palermo in the Italian region Sicily, located about 8 km southeast of Palermo. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 19,441 and an area of 3.8 km²....
when Dr. Fina, as a Comissario Straordinario, was responsible for the running of the day-to-day business. The invitation was the result of an annual reciprocal activity with regard to the Onorificenza Cittadino Del Anno. This commitment is now being honoured on a reciprocal basis.
Besides the Twinning with Villabate the Council also has a Partnership Agreement with three other European cities namely, Montgeron
Montgeron
Montgeron is a commune in the southeastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.Inhabitants of Montgeron are known as Montgeronnais.-Transport:Montgeron is served by Montgeron – Crosne station on Paris RER line D....
, Povoa’ de Varzim and Eschborn
Eschborn
Eschborn is a town near Frankfurt am Main in the Main-Taunus district, Hesse, Germany. As of 2009, it had a population of 20,789, but boasts fulltime employment of over 30,000 people...
. The Partnership Agreement was signed in July 2001 during the International Youth Summer Camp organised by Ħaż-Żabbar.
Sports
Ħaż-Żabbar's main footballFootball (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
team
Team
A team comprises a group of people or animals linked in a common purpose. Teams are especially appropriate for conducting tasks that are high in complexity and have many interdependent subtasks.A group in itself does not necessarily constitute a team...
is St. Patrick's FC
St. Patrick F.C.
St. Patrick Football Club are a Maltese football club from the town of Żabbar, which currently plays in the Maltese First Division. The club was founded in 1912.-History:...
. including St. Patrick's Nursery FC. Two amateur football teams are Ħaż-Żabbar Crystal Blues and Ħaż-Żabbar Athletics. Other sports clubs include Ħaż-Żabbar Shooting Club, Ħaż-Żabbar Boċċi Club,St Peters Boċċi Club, Ħaż-Żabbar Subbuteo Club, and Ħaż-Żabbar Amateur Racing Club
Personalities
President of MaltaAgatha Barbara (d.1987)
Bishop
Mons. Paolo Darmanin
Politicians
Dr Giuseppe Agius Muscat (d.1951 ),
Renato Agius Muscat (d.2011)
Dr Francis Agius,
Espedito Catania (d. 1985),
Dr Elena Dalli,
Dr Josie Muscat,
Alfred Portelli,
Leli Tabone (d.1980),
Former Parish Priest
Mons. Joseph Zarb (d.1985)
Writers
Karmenu Ellul Galea (d. 2007),
Dr Carmel Mallia,
Prof. Daniel Massa,
Achille Mizzi,
Alfred Palma,
George Peresso,
P. Mattew Sultana (d.1986),
Educationist
Dr Frans Chetcuti (d. 1983),
Historian
Carmel Bonavia,
Singers
Fredu Abela, Il-Bamboċċu – (Folk singer) (d.2003),
Graziana Axisa (Vocalist),
Phyllisienne Brincat (Vocalist),
Charles Vincenti (Tenor),
Maria Mallia(Vocalist),
Mike Spiteri (Vocalist),
Footballer
Clayton Failla (National team, ex St Patrick’s FC)
TV Presenters
Quinton Scerri (ONE)
Musicians
Mro John. J. Pace,
Mro Wiġi Bongailas (d.1985),
Radio stations
- Radju Hompesch (90 FM). Owned by Gordon Caruana in Ħaż-Żabbar
- Radju MMG FM (97.5 FM). Ħaż-Żabbar Owned by Soċjetà MMG FM
Ħaż-Żabbar main roads
- Misraħ Medjatriċi (Mediatrix Square)
- Triq Hompesch (Hompesch Street)
- Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
- Triq il-Kunsill tal-Ewropa (Council of Europe Street)
- Triq il-Kunvent (Convent Street)
- Triq il-Lunzjata (Annunciation Street)
- Triq il-Mina ta' Hompesch (Hompesch Arch Street)
- Triq is-Santwarju (Sanctuary Street)
- Triq ix-Xgħajra (Xgħajra Road)
- Triq P.Muscat Inglott (Muscat Inglott Street)
- Triq San Leonardu (St. Leonard Street)
- Triq Sant' Antnin (St. Anthony Street)
- Triq Santa Duminka (St. Domenica Street)
- Triq tal-Labour (Labour Road)
- Triq Villabate (Villabate Street)
- Triq Wied il-Għajn (Marsaskala Road)
External links
- Parroċċa Ħaż-Żabbar
- Ħaż-Żabbar Feast And more links
- Armar tal-Festa ta' Ħaż-Żabbar
- Radju Hompesch 90 Fm
- Soc. Filar. Maria Mater Gratiæ Ħaż-Żabbar - A.D. 1883; Official Website
- Ħaż-Żabbar Info @ Web links
- Ħaż-Żabbar ŻAK
- Flags of the World
- Society of Our Lady of Grace's, Saint Michaels Band Club; Official Website