This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations .(May 2019) |
Msida L-Imsida | |
---|---|
Motto: Novissima Surgo | |
Coordinates: 35°53′52″N14°29′22″E / 35.89778°N 14.48944°E | |
Country | Malta |
Region | Central Region |
District | Northern Harbour District |
Borders | Birkirkara, Ħamrun, Gżira, Pietà, San Ġwann, Santa Venera, Ta' Xbiex |
Government | |
• Mayor | Margaret Baldacchino Cefai (PL) |
Area | |
• Total | 1.7 km2 (0.7 sq mi) |
Population (Jan. 2019) | |
• Total | 13,713 |
• Density | 8,100/km2 (21,000/sq mi) |
Demonym(s) | Misidjan (m), Misidjana (f), Misidjani (pl) |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Postal code | MSD |
Dialing code | 356 |
ISO 3166 code | MT-34 |
Patron saint | St. Joseph |
Day of festa | 1st Sunday after 16 July |
Msida (Maltese : L-Imsida, Italian : Misida) is a harbour town in the Central Region of Malta with a population of 7,623 (2021). [1]
The town is located just west of Valletta on the northeast coast of Malta. The neighbouring towns of Msida are Ta' Xbiex, Gżira, San Ġwann, Birkirkara, Santa Venera, Ħamrun and Pietà.
Msida is an important town for travellers as many bus routes pass through it.
The name Msida is said to originate from an Arabic word meaning "a fisherman's dwelling". However it could also be derived from the word 'Omm Sidna' meaning 'The Mother of Our Lord' since there could have been a small chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.
The patron saint of Msida is Saint Joseph while the protector is The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
For a week and a half every July, the town celebrates the feast of St. Joseph. The feast of Msida is also famous for its pole climbing challenge called il-Ġostra. [2] This traditiional competition sees a large number of men queing to climb a well greased pole in order to reach the top and collect a scarf as a winning sign. The pole is suspended above the sea which allows the many unsuccessful competitors to fall safely and swim back to shore. The two towns that organise il-Gostra regularly are Msida and St. Julians. [3]
Msida parish church, dedicated to San Ġużepp (St. Joseph) was built in 1889. Under the religious guidance of Bishop Carmelo Scicluna and the main benefactor Mgr Francesco Falzon Debono who contributed financially towards its building, the church was erected to replace the old church of the Immaculate Conception. [4] The foundation stone was laid on 4 April 1886. The building was finalised by 1889 and the church was officially consecrated on 22 April 1984. [5] Architect Andrea Grima was responsible for the plans, their execution, and all works involved to build the church.
Msida is situated right on the coastal creek. Walking along the coast one can see various marinas, boat slipways as well as many locals fishing from shore.
Msida became a parish in 1867. The settlement was centered on the hovels located inward at Valley Road, and some nearby ancillary roads and pathways which led up to the quaint district of Villambrosa. This status did not last long however, as a new parish Ħamrun was hived off in 1881. Today the lowest part of Villambrosa Street remains a silent reminder of Msida's jurisdiction in this area. Msida would also eventually see parts of its territory lost to new parishes at Santa Venera in 1918, Pietà in 1968 and Ta' Xbiex in 1969.
Its population, which at one time numbered 11,500, thus also dwindled to a mere 6,000. However, the recent aforementioned demands as well as residential developments in the outlying suburb of Swatar, have now seen an increase to more than 7600 inhabitants.
Today, Msida is a bustling university town and development has been centered on an increasing student population at the university as well as various new service industries that have sprung in this town in recent years. The city houses many university students, mostly Gozitans.
The lower part of Msida lies at the outlet of a valley and is a fulcrum for heavy traffic going to Sliema, Valletta, Birkirkara and Mater Dei Hospital. When it rains, water rushes down towards the sea from surrounding cities at higher levels and often causes floods, bringing traffic to a halt in the area opposite the Parish Church dedicated to St. Joseph. Msida also hosts an old rock hewn chapel dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, a rarity of its kind.
Msida has also experienced a lot of reclamation from the sea. The town centre and surrounding areas which were located below sea-level were all reclaimed from the sea, after World War II. A new project which intends to catch more surface rainwater running should also considerably remedy a perennial flooding problem which affects this area as well as nearby towns.
Msida host two local newspapers. The Leħen il-Misidjani ("The Voice of the Misidjani") is produced and edited by the local band club the Għaqda Melita Banda San Ġużepp Msida. The "Leħen il-Misidjani" gathers information on most of the communities, clubs and associations based in an around Msida.
Another newspaper is the Id f'Id ("Hand in Hand"), produced by the Parish and the Għaqda Armar Msida. It contains information on church activities, religious activities in Msida and the Feasts.
The University of Malta is situated in a part of Msida known as Tal-Qroqq which rests on higher ground. Msida is also home to the Ġ.F. Abela Junior College and a State Nursing Home.
IMLI was established in 1988 under an Agreement concluded between IMO and the Government of Malta. It commenced its first academic year in October 1989. Its campus is at the University of Malta.
Msida is home to Msida Saint-Joseph F.C., the local football team currently playing in the Second division of Malta. The team colours are Red and White. [6] Msida also hosts the Msida Red Stars A.F.C, a local 7-a-side team which participates in the I.A.S.C (Inter Amateur Soccer Competition), and Msida Boċċi Klabb (Club), the local "boċċi" team.
The Mater Dei Hospital is located in the outskirts of Msida. It was inaugurated by the prime minister of Malta Dr. Gonzi in June 2007 and has a total floor area of 232,000m2 and approximately 8,000 rooms. It also houses a teaching facility for the University of Malta.
The hospital has cost the Maltese people Lm 200,000,000, a considerable increase compared to its original estimate of Lm 83,000,000. It was intended to be a specialised centre but was eventually changed to a general hospital with a change in government.
In the late 19th century, a floating British navy hydraulic dock was also planned at the central part of Msida close to where the Torpedo Depot used to stand. The plan was soon aborted but instead, this area would in later years experience a booming yacht marina service, which has been growing ever since, thanks to new incentive policies issued by the central government.
Current local council members are:
Carmelo Bartolo k/a Lino (PL) was elected by default because he did not gather enough votes to be elected on a full quota. [7]
Msida traditionally celebrates the Feast of St. Joseph on the first Sunday after 16 July every year. The local football club is Msida St. Joseph F.C.
Saint Julian's is a town in the Central Region of Malta. As of 2020, its registered number of inhabitants stands at 13,792. It is situated along the coast, north of the country's capital, Valletta. It is known for tourism-oriented businesses, such as hotels, restaurants and nightclubs which are centred mainly in an area known as Paceville.
Ta' Xbiex is a locality and Local Council in the Central Region of Malta with a population of 2148 It is part of a small headland within the Marsamxett Harbour, right between the villages of Msida and Gżira.
Birkirkara is a city in the central region of Malta. It is the second most populous on the island, with 24,356 inhabitants as of 2020. The town consists of five autonomous parishes: Saint Helen, Saint Joseph the Worker, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Saint Mary and San Gorg Preca. The city's motto is In hoc signo vinces, and its coat of arms is a plain red cross, surmounted by a crown.
Pietà is a small harbour town in the Central Region of Malta, located near the outskirts of the capital city Valletta. Its name is derived from Italian and signifies "Pity."
Tarxien is a town in the South Eastern Region of Malta. Its population stood at 8583 in March 2014.
Lija is a small village in the Central Region of Malta. It forms part of the Three villages of Malta, along with Attard and Balzan. Lija has a baroque parish church and seven other small chapels. The parish church is dedicated to Our Saviour. Lija became a parish in 1594, after the small community detached itself from the neighbouring town, Birkirkara. It has a population of 3,162 as of 2021.
Qormi, also known by its title Città Pinto, is a city in the Southern Region of Malta, southwest of Valletta in the centre of the island. It has a population of 16,324, making it Malta's fifth-largest city.
Kalkara is a village in the South Eastern Region of Malta, with a population of 3,014 as of March 2014. The name is derived from the Latin word for lime (Calce), and it is believed that there was a lime kiln present there since Roman times. Kalkara forms part of the inner harbour area and occupies the area around Kalkara Creek. The town has its own Local Council and is bordered by the cities of Birgu and Żabbar, as well as the town of Xgħajra.
Hamrun is a town in the Central Region of Malta, with a population of 9,244 as of March 2014.
Santa Venera is a town in the Central Region of Malta, with a population of 8,834 (2021). It is located between the towns of Birkirkara and Ħamrun, and it also borders Qormi and Msida.
Għajnsielem, meaning "Peaceful Spring", is a municipality on the southeastern coast of the island of Gozo in Malta, including the entire island of Comino. It has a population of 3,200 residents, and is the first Gozitan village that greets the visitor on leaving Mġarr Harbour towards the Gozitan heartland. Its name originated from the water spring, around which in 1700, Grandmaster Perellos built an arcade containing public wash basins and fresh water spouts. Attractions include Lourdes Chapel with its sharp steeple and underlying niche of Our Lady of Lourdes, Fort Chambray and the towering of Ghajnsielem Parish Church.
Qala is an administrative unit of Malta, on the island of Gozo, with a population of 1,929 as of September 2019. Nearby is Ħondoq ir-Rummien, a coastline with salt pans and caves.
Malta is for non-local government purposes divided into districts as opposed to the local government localities. The three main types of such districts – statistical, electoral at national level, and policing – have no mainstream administrative effect as the local councils form the first-tier – moreover only administrative tier – divisions of the country.
Post codes in Malta are seven-character strings that form part of a postal address in Malta. Post codes were first introduced in 1991 by the mail operator MaltaPost. Like those in the United Kingdom and Canada, they are alphanumeric.
In Malta most of the main roads are in the outskirts of the localities to connect one urban area with another urban area. The most important roads are those that connect the south of the island with the northern part, like Tal-Barrani Road, Aldo Moro Street in Marsa and Birkirkara Bypass.
The Central Region is one of five regions of Malta. The region includes the central part of the main island of Malta. The region borders the Northern, Southern and South Eastern Regions.
Swatar, colloquially known as Is-Swatar and Tas-Swatar, is a hamlet in Malta situated in Birkirkara and in Msida. In 2015 it had a population of over 5,100 people, with around 1,600 families. Swatar has its own separate parish since 8 November 2006, by an official decree issued by the Bishop of Malta Monsignor Paul Cremona.