Birkirkara

Last updated

Birkirkara
Birkirkara
Local council
St Helen Parish Church Birkirkara Malta -1244497030.jpeg
St. Helen's Basilica – Parish Church
Flag of Birkirkara.svg
Flag
Coat of arms of Birkirkara.svg
Coat of arms
Motto: 
In hoc signo vinces
Birkirkara in Malta.svg
Coordinates: 35°53′48″N14°27′45″E / 35.89667°N 14.46250°E / 35.89667; 14.46250
Country Malta
Region Eastern Region
District Northern Harbour District
Borders Attard, Balzan, Iklin, Msida, Qormi, San Ġwann, Santa Venera
Government
 •  Mayor Desirei Grech (PN)
Area
 • Total2.7 km2 (1.0 sq mi)
Elevation
40 m (130 ft)
Population
 (January 2019)
 • Total24,356 [1]
 • Density9,021/km2 (23,360/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Karkariż (m), Karkariża (f), Karkariżi (pl)
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
BKR
Dialing code 356
ISO 3166 code MT-04
Patron saints Helena Empress; Saint Joseph; Our Lady of Mount Carmel; Anthony of Padua
Day of festa Saint Helen: 18 August (or first Sunday after date); Sunday after 15 August; 1 May; First Sunday of July; First Sunday of June
Website Official website

Birkirkara (abbreviated as B'Kara or BKR) is a city in the eastern region of Malta. It is the second most populous on the island, with 24,356 inhabitants as of 2020. [2] The town consists of five autonomous parishes: Saint Helen, [3] Saint Joseph the Worker, [4] Our Lady of Mount Carmel, [5] Saint Mary [6] and San Gorg Preca. [7] The city's motto is In hoc signo vinces , and its coat of arms is a plain red cross, surmounted by a crown.

Contents

Etymology

Valley road, c. 1900 Birkirkara, Valley road circa 1900.jpg
Valley road, c. 1900

Birkirkara means "cold water" or "running water". [8] This is attributed to the valley in the town. [9]

Originally, the name was written as Birchircara, as influenced by Italian spelling which traditionally does not use the letter 'K'. It is often abbreviated as B'kara/Kara.

Geography

Birkirkara is situated in a valley, which is most likely where it gets its name from. It is known for flooding on heavy stormy days. [10] Several projects have been proposed. [11] The area has also received embellishment works from time to time. [12]

Climate

Birkirkara features a Csa Mediterranean climate under the Köppen climate classification. Birkirkara features mild, wet winters and dry hot summers. The city's temperature varies from 10.3 to 30.7 °C (50.5 to 87.3 °F) during the course of a year. [13]

Birkirkara [13]
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
225
 
 
15
10
 
 
150
 
 
15
10
 
 
100
 
 
17
12
 
 
80
 
 
19
13
 
 
50
 
 
23
16
 
 
0
 
 
27
20
 
 
0
 
 
29
22
 
 
15
 
 
31
24
 
 
80
 
 
28
22
 
 
200
 
 
25
19
 
 
170
 
 
20
15
 
 
200
 
 
17
12
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
8.9
 
 
59
50
 
 
5.9
 
 
59
50
 
 
3.9
 
 
63
54
 
 
3.1
 
 
66
55
 
 
2
 
 
73
61
 
 
0
 
 
81
68
 
 
0
 
 
84
72
 
 
0.6
 
 
88
75
 
 
3.1
 
 
82
72
 
 
7.9
 
 
77
66
 
 
6.7
 
 
68
59
 
 
7.9
 
 
63
54
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches

Description

Birkirkara is one of Malta's oldest towns with a recorded mention in 1402 with The Cappella of Birkarkam which is understood to be an error for Birkirkara. [14] It received mention in the 1436 Ecclesiastical Report mentioning the then existing parishes in Malta and Gozo, from which Birkirkara emerged as the largest parish. [15] Various parishes and suburbs developed out of Birkirkara over the years, including Sliema, St. Julian's, Msida, Ħamrun in the 19th century and Santa Venera in the early 20th century. In more recent years, San Ġwann (1965) and Ta' l-Ibraġ hived off Birkirkara to form part of the new parish and locality of Swieqi in 1993.

Birkirkara has grown into an important commercial centre as well as a densely populated residential area.

Wejter Valley in Birkirkara Birkirkara Valley, Malta.jpeg
Wejter Valley in Birkirkara

Churches, architecture and notable places

Notable places

Birkirkara is home to many locations of importance.

St Helen Palace, Birkirkara St Helen Palace, Birkirkara.jpg
St Helen Palace, Birkirkara

Churches

Birkirkara's main religious feast is that of St Helen [24] at St. Helen's Basilica, which is celebrated on 18 August or on the first Sunday after that date. [25] The main event of the celebration is a procession with a wooden statue carved by the Maltese master-sculptor Salvu Psaila. [26] Notably, this is the only procession on the island carried out in the morning. The procession leaves the basilica at exactly 8:00 a.m. and returns to it at 10:45 am. The statue is lifted to shoulder-height by a group of townsmen through the main streets of the town. [27]

The Church of Our Lady of Victories [29] is a small church found within the narrow streets in the area known as 'Has-Sajjied'. This church was known to have existed as far back as 1575.[ citation needed ] In the 17th century when the parish church was being built, this church was dismantled to allow easy access to the quarry that was supplying the stones needed. It was erected once again after the 1675–1676 Malta plague epidemic. The present church was built between 1728 and 1736 in the Baroque style. The internal pilasters follow the Tuscan style with the dome featuring floral motifs and emblems of the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. [28]

Monuments

Birkirkara Local Council

Tal-Wejter Tower, former defence on the valley Tal-Wejter Tower, Birkirkara.jpg
Tal-Wejter Tower, former defence on the valley

The Birkirkara Local Council forms part of the Birkirkara Civice Centre building. The current Birkirkara local council members are: [31]

Birkirkara community service

Niche of All Souls close to St. Mary Church (Old Church) is a Maltese cultural heritage niche Niche of All Souls - Nicca Tal-Infetti.jpeg
Niche of All Souls close to St. Mary Church (Old Church) is a Maltese cultural heritage niche

Zones in Birkirkara

Mriehel Malta - Birkirkara - Triq l-Imdina + Simonds Farsons Cisk 01 ies.jpg
Mrieħel

Sport

Birkirkara has a multi-sport club in Birkirkara Saint Joseph Sports Club, mostly known for its Athletics section. [33] However, it also has active sections responsible for cycling, [34] triathlon, [35] swimming, [36] and football, [37] the last of which competes in the Maltese Inter-Amateur Soccer Competition. [38]

Birkirkara F.C. has won the Maltese Premier League four times. [39] Birkirkara F.C. participated in the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League beating West Ham United F.C., only to be eliminated via penalties. [40] [41] [42] [43] Birkirkara also eliminated Heart of Midlothian in the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League. [44] [45] [46] [47] Malta's leader of the opposition Adrian Delia served as Birkirkara F.C. president from 2015-2016 and 2017-2018. [48] [49]

Natives

Iacob Heraclid, the Greco-Maltese adventurer who ruled over Moldavia in the 1560s, was born in the city. Eddie Fenech Adami, who served as Prime Minister and President of Malta, was born there, as was Anthony Mamo, the first President of Malta.

Twin towns – sister cities

Birkirkara is twinned with: [50]

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References

  1. ↑ "The Malta Government Gazette" (PDF). 3 September 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  2. ↑ "The Malta Government Gazette" (PDF). Government Gazette. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  3. ↑ "Birkirkara (St Helen)". Archdiocese of Malta. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Birkirkara (St Joseph the Worker)". Archdiocese of Malta. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  5. 1 2 "Our Lady of Mount Carmel on The Catholic Directory". The Catholic Directory. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  6. 1 2 "St. Mary on The Catholic Directory". The Catholic Directory. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  7. 1 2 "San Gorg Preca - Parish Church - Swatar, Malta". www.quddies.com.mt. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  8. ↑ Abela, Giovanni Francesco (1647). Della Descrizione di Malta Isola nel Mare Siciliano con le sue Antichità, ed Altre Notizie (in Italian). Paolo Bonacota. p. 90.
  9. ↑ "Pullicino, F. (1990) Birkirkara : Isimha... Niesha... Ġrajjietha, 'Programm tal-festa ta' Sant'Elena, Birkirkara', pp.61, 63" (PDF).
  10. ↑ "Birkirkara, Malta – Information and interests". Malta.com. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  11. ↑ Malta Independent (25 June 2005). "Possible Solution for Birkirkara flooding problems in the pipeline – The Malta Independent". Independent.com.mt. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  12. ↑ "Planning Authority". www.pa.org.mt. 2 October 2016. Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  13. 1 2 "Birkirkara climate and weather". world 66. world66.com. 10 June 2013. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  14. ↑ Luttrell, Anthony T. (1981). "The cappella of Birkirkara: 1402".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  15. ↑ Archidiocesi ta' Malta, Newsletter (June 2014). "Newsletter ta' l-Archidiocesi ta' Malta Gunju 2014" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  16. ↑ Reports on the Working of Government Departments 1975. Department of Information. Executive Departments. 1975.
  17. ↑ "Dar Pirotta grateful for government help". Times of Malta. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  18. 1 2 "New Home for people with a disability - The Malta Independent". www.independent.com.mt. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  19. ↑ "Homeless emergency shelter to open in summer". Times of Malta. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  20. ↑ "Dar Papa Franġisku". Caritas Malta. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  21. ↑ "Villa Chelsea opens its doors". Times of Malta. 26 May 2007. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  22. ↑ "Old Railway Station – Birkirkara Local Council" . Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  23. ↑ Cilia, Johnathan (29 January 2018). "Only Hours Left Before Classic Cinema In Birkirkara Gets Go-Ahead For Demolition". lovinmalta.com. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  24. ↑ "Parroċċa Sant' Elena - Birkirkara". www.santaliena.org. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  25. ↑ "Sant' Elena - Basilica - Birkirkara, Malta". www.quddies.com.mt. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  26. ↑ Brincat, Joe (2012). "Salvu Psaila (1798-1871)" (in Maltese).{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  27. ↑ "FEAST OF ST. HELEN - Visitmalta - The official tourism website for Malta, Gozo and Comino". www.visitmalta.com. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  28. 1 2 Cassar, George (2019). A Taste of the History, Culture and Environment of the Central Region of Malta. Malta: Kite Group Malta. p. 29. ISBN   978-99957-50-68-8.
  29. ↑ "Madonna tal-Vitorja - Chapel - Birkirkara, Malta". www.quddies.com.mt. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  30. ↑ "One World - Protecting the most significant buildings, monuments and features of Maltese Islands (17)". Times of Malta. 7 July 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  31. ↑ "Mayor and Councillors". localgovernment.gov.mt (in Maltese). Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  32. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  33. ↑ "Birkirkara St.Joseph Sports Club :: Athletics". Bkarastjoseph.com. 20 June 2017. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  34. ↑ "Birkirkara St.Joseph Sports Club :: Cycling". Bkarastjoseph.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  35. ↑ "Birkirkara St.Joseph Sports Club :: Triathlon". Bkarastjoseph.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  36. ↑ "Birkirkara St.Joseph Sports Club :: Swimming". Bkarastjoseph.com. 12 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  37. ↑ "Birkirkara St.Joseph Sports Club :: Home". Bkarastjoseph.com. Archived from the original on 3 September 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  38. ↑ "Birkirkara St.Joseph Sports Club :: Football". Bkarastjoseph.com. Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  39. ↑ "The Club History". Birkirkara FC. 6 December 1996. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  40. ↑ Hafez, Shamoon (23 July 2015). "Birkirkara 1-0 West Ham (3–5 on pens) – BBC Sport". Bbc.com. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  41. ↑ "Brave Birkirkara eliminated as West Ham win penalty shoot-out". MaltaToday.com.mt. 23 July 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  42. ↑ Allied Newspapers Ltd (23 July 2015). "Update 3 – Agony for Birkirkara as West Ham beat them in penalty shoot-out". Timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  43. ↑ "Birkirkara 1 – 0 West Ham – Match Report & Highlights". Skysports.com. 23 July 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  44. ↑ "Updated – Watch Birkirkara's two goals against Hearts as Stripes make European history – The Malta Independent". Independent.com.mt. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  45. ↑ Wilson, Richard (21 July 2016). "Heart of Midlothian 1–2 Birkirkara (1–2) – BBC Sport". Bbc.com. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  46. ↑ Gordon Parks (21 July 2016). "Hearts 1 Birkirkara 2: Three things we learned as Maltese minnows send Jambos crashing out". Daily Record. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  47. ↑ "Europa League – Hearts shocked by Birkirkara Hibernian lose on penalties". Espn Fc. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  48. ↑ "Administration". Birkirkara FC. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  49. ↑ "Birkirkara FC - Presidents". Birkirkara FC. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  50. ↑ "Twinning". localgovernment.gov.mt. Government of Malta. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
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