Bubaqra is a small, rural area in Zurrieq

Zurrieq

Żurrieq is one of the oldest towns in Malta, and has a population of 12,000 inhabitants . Żurrieq is situated in the South West of Malta. The first documentation about it being a parish dates back to 1436 dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. The island of Filfla is administratively a part of...

, in the south-east 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...

. It is situated between the zones of Nigret and Hal-Far. Has a population of 2,000 people. Even though it is one of the oldest areas in this village, many new buildings are being constructed and this area is searched most by newly-weds who come to live in this quiet, airy area. At the centre of this zone, a small church is situated, dedicated to our Holy Mary

Mary (mother of Jesus)

Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...

. A few metres away, there is also the churchyard of this village dedicated to St. Leon.

A lot of Maltese mock the name of this area since in Maltese the name literally means 'owner of the cow'. However, the name of this area originated from Bubakra (from Bakkar), literally meaning 'to wake up early'. With the surrounding area consisting of mainly fields and rural areas, the people of this area used to "get up early to start working their fields".

A popular tower which carries the zone's name, the 'Bubaqra tower', is situated on the outskirts of this zone. This tower was built by the Knights of St. John and served possibly as an observation point to spot an enemy approach by sea. However, at least one local information service believes that it was merely an elaborate residence. Currently this exceptionally beautiful tower is in private hands.

External links

• Virtual Tour (Warning: Commercial Site)