Gzira
Encyclopedia
Gżira is a town in the north-eastern coast of Malta
between Msida
& Sliema
, and bordering on Ta' Xbiex
, with its famed yacht marina and Embassy Row. The population is approximately 7,100 (2005). The word Gżira means "island" in Maltese
, and the town is named after Manoel Island which lies just adjacent to the town. The seafront of Gżira is famed for its views of the walled city of Valletta
, which are illuminated at night, forming a picturesque backdrop to Manoel Island, the yacht marina and a seafront public garden.
Manoel Island in Gżira's Marsamxett Harbour, was originally known as l'Isola del Vescovo or il-Gżira tal-Isqof in Maltese (literally translated as "the Bishop's Island"). In 1643 Jean Paul Lascaris, Grandmaster of the Knights of Malta
, constructed a quarantine hospital (lazzaretto) on the island, in an attempt to control the periodic influx of plague
and cholera
on board visiting ships.
The island was renamed after António Manoel de Vilhena
, a Portuguese Grandmaster of the Knights of Malta under whose leadership Fort Manoel
was built in 1726. Fort Manoel is considered a marvel of 18th century military engineering. The original plans for the Fort are attributed to Louis d'Augbigne Tigné, and are said to have been modified by his friend and colleague Charles F. de Mondion, who is buried in a crypt beneath Fort Manoel. At one time, the Knights of Malta considered developing a walled city on Manoel Island, but instead they settled on a fort designed to house up to 500 soldiers. The Fort has a magnificent quadrangle, parade ground and arcade, and once housed a baroque chapel dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua
, under the direct command of the Order.
During World War II, Manoel Island and its fort were used as a naval base by the Royal Navy
, at which time it was referred to variously as "HMS Talbot" or "HMS Phœnicia". The Chapel of St. Anthony was virtually destroyed following a direct hit by Luftwaffe
bombers in March 1942.
For several years now, Manoel Island houses a quaint, informal sanctuary for ducks and other waterfowl
, created and maintained by a local volunteer, and funded entirely by private donations near the bridge connecting the island with the main island.
As of November 2006, the historic fort was undergoing significant restoration and renovation works, and a new housing development was under construction on Manoel Island. The Manoel Island redevelopment project, however, has been heavily criticized due to its proximity to the island's important historical buildings. A guarded barrier some 300 yards after the bridge makes clear, that no public is welcommed for the largest part of the island.
along its main streets. During the last decade, a large proportion of the old houses has been demolished and new, luxurious blocks of flats have been built. Much of the character and charm of the seafront houses has been lost as a result, although on the narrow village streets in the heart of Gżira one can still find examples of traditional Maltese
facades, with their enclosed wooden balconies (gallarija) and bow-fronted, wrought-iron balconies. The proliferation of flats in Gżira led to an inflation of the housing prices, as the town became sought after by both Maltese and foreign settlers.
The second parish priest in the history of the Gżira parish was the late Dun Karlu Manché, a man revered by many locals as a saint,
and is thought to be honting the church
and the capital, Valletta
. Service industries, mainly car mechanics, commercial outlets and educational services are the town's main activities, yet Gżira shall most probably remain the gateway to Sliema
, its neighbouring town.
The crime rate in Gżira is very low and the town is generally as safe as the rest of Malta & Gozo
. Gżira's population has been fairly stable over the past few years, hovering around 7,086 people (Nov 2005). Gżira is also known as being quite a multicultural town, with well-established and fairly integrated immigrant groups, notably the North African and South Asian (Indian and Pakistani) communities.
Gżira became a parish within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Malta in 1921, with Dun Anton Manché appointed as its first parish chaplain (kapillan). The parish church of Gżira is dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
, and its annual festa is celebrated in July.
Gżira was also known locally for the infamous Triq Testaferrata (Testaferrata Street) despite it actually forming part of the Msida locality, and not Gżira.. This street was commonly associated with prostitution. Even if today street prostitutes are rare, the image of the street as a den of iniquity has nonetheless survived in popular imagination - despite this image being outdated if not downright incorrect.
Gżira has been twinned with: Glyfada
, Greece
Wałbrzych, Poland
Triq Testaferata
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...
between Msida
Msida
Msida or Imsida is a harbour town in Malta with a population of 7,623 . The town is located just west of Valletta on the northeast coast of Malta. The town enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry, sunny summers and short, cool winters.The neighbouring towns of Msida are Ta' Xbiex, Gzira, San...
& Sliema
Sliema
Tas-Sliema is a city located on the northeast coast of Malta. It is a centre for shopping, restaurants and café life. Tas-Sliema is also a major commercial and residential area and houses several of Malta's most modern hotels. Tas-Sliema, which means 'peace, comfort', was once a quiet fishing...
, and bordering on Ta' Xbiex
Ta' Xbiex
Ta' Xbiex is a small town in southeastern Malta with a population of 1,846 . It also has its own local council.The town is home of a number of foreign embassies, including the Embassies of Egypt, Italy, France, Austria and the British High Commission...
, with its famed yacht marina and Embassy Row. The population is approximately 7,100 (2005). The word Gżira means "island" in Maltese
Maltese 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...
, and the town is named after Manoel Island which lies just adjacent to the town. The seafront of Gżira is famed for its views of the walled city of 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...
, which are illuminated at night, forming a picturesque backdrop to Manoel Island, the yacht marina and a seafront public garden.
Manoel Island
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...
, constructed a quarantine hospital (lazzaretto) on the island, in an attempt to control the periodic influx of plague
Bubonic plague
Plague is a deadly infectious disease that is caused by the enterobacteria Yersinia pestis, named after the French-Swiss bacteriologist Alexandre Yersin. Primarily carried by rodents and spread to humans via fleas, the disease is notorious throughout history, due to the unrivaled scale of death...
and cholera
Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
on board visiting ships.
The island was renamed after António Manoel de Vilhena
António Manoel de Vilhena
Dom Fra' António Manoel de Vilhena was the 66th Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta from 19 June 1722 to his death in 1736....
, a Portuguese Grandmaster of the Knights of Malta under whose leadership Fort Manoel
Fort Manoel
Fort Manoel is a fortification on the island of Malta. It stands on Manoel Island in Marsamxett Harbour to the north west of Valletta and commands the entrance to Marsamxett Harbour and the anchorage of Sliema Creek...
was built in 1726. Fort Manoel is considered a marvel of 18th century military engineering. The original plans for the Fort are attributed to Louis d'Augbigne Tigné, and are said to have been modified by his friend and colleague Charles F. de Mondion, who is buried in a crypt beneath Fort Manoel. At one time, the Knights of Malta considered developing a walled city on Manoel Island, but instead they settled on a fort designed to house up to 500 soldiers. The Fort has a magnificent quadrangle, parade ground and arcade, and once housed a baroque chapel dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua
Anthony of Padua
Anthony of Padua or Anthony of Lisbon, O.F.M., was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. Though he died in Padua, Italy, he was born to a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, which is where he was raised...
, under the direct command of the Order.
During World War II, Manoel Island and its fort were used as a naval base by the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, at which time it was referred to variously as "HMS Talbot" or "HMS Phœnicia". The Chapel of St. Anthony was virtually destroyed following a direct hit by Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
bombers in March 1942.
For several years now, Manoel Island houses a quaint, informal sanctuary for ducks and other waterfowl
Waterfowl
Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
, created and maintained by a local volunteer, and funded entirely by private donations near the bridge connecting the island with the main island.
As of November 2006, the historic fort was undergoing significant restoration and renovation works, and a new housing development was under construction on Manoel Island. The Manoel Island redevelopment project, however, has been heavily criticized due to its proximity to the island's important historical buildings. A guarded barrier some 300 yards after the bridge makes clear, that no public is welcommed for the largest part of the island.
Town history
In the mid-19th century the first houses started to be built in Gżira by Chevalier Jacob Tagliaferro. Gżira became known as a working-class town, afflicted by the prevalence of prostitutionProstitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
along its main streets. During the last decade, a large proportion of the old houses has been demolished and new, luxurious blocks of flats have been built. Much of the character and charm of the seafront houses has been lost as a result, although on the narrow village streets in the heart of Gżira one can still find examples of traditional Maltese
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...
facades, with their enclosed wooden balconies (gallarija) and bow-fronted, wrought-iron balconies. The proliferation of flats in Gżira led to an inflation of the housing prices, as the town became sought after by both Maltese and foreign settlers.
Folklore
The parish church of Gżira is also known locally as "tal-Ġebla", literally translated as "of the stone", but actually a reference to an incident which took place in Gżira on 10 July 1902. Three British drunken sailors, namely William Walls, Charles Thurbull and John Packhun wanted to enter into bar, which at that time of day, was closed.The sailors wanted to enter at all costs. When Karmnu Brincat, the owner of the bar, refused to open they started throwing stones at the place. On of these stones hit a small shrine depicting a picture of Our Lady of Mount Carmel which was hanging outside the bar. The stone broke the glass of the frame, but did not make contact with the portrait itself, which was unharmed. Notwithstanding the wind, the stone remained fixed within the broken glass. The stone was removed and taken to the Stella Maris Parish Church in Sliema. Prayers and services for reparation were held. The frame, the broken glass and the stone that was thrown at the portrait of The Madonna, can still be seen today, at the beautiful parish church of Gżira.The second parish priest in the history of the Gżira parish was the late Dun Karlu Manché, a man revered by many locals as a saint,
and is thought to be honting the church
Gżira today
The main reason behind the area's popularity is that it is fairly centrally located in Malta, being close to both the University of MaltaUniversity of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest educational institution in Malta Europe and is one of the most respected universities in Europe. The University offers undergraduate Bachelor's Degrees, postgraduate Master's Degrees and postgraduate Doctorates .-History:The University of Malta was founded in...
and the capital, 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...
. Service industries, mainly car mechanics, commercial outlets and educational services are the town's main activities, yet Gżira shall most probably remain the gateway to Sliema
Sliema
Tas-Sliema is a city located on the northeast coast of Malta. It is a centre for shopping, restaurants and café life. Tas-Sliema is also a major commercial and residential area and houses several of Malta's most modern hotels. Tas-Sliema, which means 'peace, comfort', was once a quiet fishing...
, its neighbouring town.
The crime rate in Gżira is very low and the town is generally as safe as the rest of Malta & Gozo
Gozo
Gozo is a small island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Southern European country of Malta; after the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago...
. Gżira's population has been fairly stable over the past few years, hovering around 7,086 people (Nov 2005). Gżira is also known as being quite a multicultural town, with well-established and fairly integrated immigrant groups, notably the North African and South Asian (Indian and Pakistani) communities.
Gżira became a parish within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Malta in 1921, with Dun Anton Manché appointed as its first parish chaplain (kapillan). The parish church of Gżira is dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land during the late 12th and early to mid 13th centuries...
, and its annual festa is celebrated in July.
Gżira was also known locally for the infamous Triq Testaferrata (Testaferrata Street) despite it actually forming part of the Msida locality, and not Gżira.. This street was commonly associated with prostitution. Even if today street prostitutes are rare, the image of the street as a den of iniquity has nonetheless survived in popular imagination - despite this image being outdated if not downright incorrect.
Gżira has been twinned with: Glyfada
Glyfada
Glyfada is a suburb of Athens, situated in the southern parts of the Athens Metropolitan Area. The area, which is home to many of Greece's millionaires, ministers and celebrities, stretches out from the foot of the Hymettus mountain and reaches out to embrace the Saronic Gulf. It is the largest of...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
Wałbrzych, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
Places of interest
- The Strand, and the waterfront shopping district
- Yacht Marina, and adjacent gardens
- Monument to the Council of EuropeCouncil of EuropeThe Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
- Fort ManoelFort ManoelFort Manoel is a fortification on the island of Malta. It stands on Manoel Island in Marsamxett Harbour to the north west of Valletta and commands the entrance to Marsamxett Harbour and the anchorage of Sliema Creek...
- Parish Church of Our Lady of Mount CarmelOur Lady of Mount CarmelOur Lady of Mount Carmel is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land during the late 12th and early to mid 13th centuries...
- The Stadium (no longer in use)
Schools
- Stella Maris College: A boys' Church school run by the Lasallian Brothers.
- St. Monica School: This is also another modern Catholic Church school. This school for girls, is run by the Augustinian Sisters, Servants of Jesus & Mary. Like Stella Maris College, it caters both for primary as well as secondary education.
- Antonio Bosio: A Government-run school
Associations and groups
- Stella Maris College Scout Group
- Gżira Scout Group
- Gżira Girl Guides
- Banda Mount Carmel
- Mount Carmel Band Club (L-Għaqda Mużikali Madonna tal-Karmnu)
- Gzira Malta Labour Party
Gżira Main Roads
- Triq D'Argens (Rue D'Argens)
- Triq il-Gżira (Island Street)
- Triq l-Imsida (Msida Road)
- Triq M.A. Vassalli (Regional Road)
- Triq Reggie Miller (Reggie Miller Street)
- Triq Tas-Sliema (Sliema Road)
- Xatt il-Gżira (Gżira Strand)
- Xatt ta' Ta' Xbiex (Ta' Xbiex Strand)
Triq Testaferata
Famous Residents
- Ivan De BattistaIvan De BattistaIvan De Battista is a Maltese film and theatre actor and director, and writer. He has been involved in the theatre and musical scene since he was six. His early theatre performances were held at the De Porres Theatre, situated in Sliema with the Young Deporrians...
- actor, film director, writer, composer and singer - Simone De BattistaSimone De BattistaSimone De Battista is a Maltese film and theatre actress. She started off her career in the theatre and musical scene since she was very young. Her early theatre performances were held at the MTADA Theatre, Blata l-Bajda...
- actress, writer and singer - Vanni Riolo - actor
- Godfrey A. Pirotta, Academic, writer, journalist and social activist