Attard (or Ħ'Attard) is a village located at the centre-most point of the island of Malta, with a population of around 10,000 (this figure includes the modern estate of Misrah Kola and surrounding environs). Together with Balzan and Lija, it forms what is known as "The Three Villages". Attard became a parish in 1499 and contains buildings created by the Knights of St. John and many residences once inhabited (and in some cases, still owned) by the Maltese nobility. Notable places of interest include San Anton Palace and botanical gardens, the national stadium, national park and "Crafts Village" at Ta' Qali. Attard is the birthplace of the architect Tumas Dingli, who is best known for his work on Grandmaster Wignacourt's aqueduct, the "Porta Reale" entrance into Valletta, and several churches, of which only the Attard parish church, with its impressive facade, remains unaltered.
Attard is traditionally known for its flower gardens and citrus orchards, earning it the motto "Florigera rosis halo" in Latin; "I perfume the air with my blossoms" in English.
The name is linked to the surname "Attard", which originated from the place name "Atti" of the Italian town in Bologna.[1]
As a municipality with its own local government structure since 1994, Attard covers a surface area of about seven square kilometres. It comprises to its north, on the Mdina and Mosta side, the flat expanse known as Ta' Qali; and below it, in the direction of the village core, the area known as Ta' l-Idward joining with Misrah Kola, across from the valleys of Wied San Martin, Wied Incita and Wied Irmiedi, on the Żebbuġ side. Down to its west, close to Wied is-Sewda on the Qormi side, is an older part known as Tax-Xarolla and as Taht ir-Rahal; while to its East, up to Tal-Mirakli chapel on the Lija side, is the relatively large zone called Ta' Fgieni, which borders on the village core with its seventeenth century parish church. South of this is the Sant'Anton quarter, deriving its name from the historic palace and botanic gardens of Sant'Antonio, which have long been a symbol of Attard.
H'Attard Today
During the 1980s, H'Attard experienced a boost in development. Most modern houses were constructed post-1980 but towards the village center, close to St. Mary's church, one will encounter quite a number of converted farmhouses, recognizable through their wooden doors and flat, rustic roofs.
Typical house in central H'Attard (Il-Bieb ta' Barra)
Rustic farmhouse facade in H'Attard (Dar Antika Maltija)
The village is also abundant with many public gardens which are well maintained.
H'Attard has also seen an increase in entertainment locales and commercial outlets in recent years. Along Triq il-Pitkalija (Pitkalija Road), one will find a number of retail stores and furniture showrooms. Known traditionally as the "M4 Complex," close to the Church there is a business district comprising a large supermarket, a pharmacy, a toystore, a plant store, a fishmarket and further down, a newly renovated Bank of Valletta branch. The "Santa Lucia Cafe" is one of the most famous on the islands, serving exquisite sweets and pastries. It too is located within walking distance of St. Mary's Parish Church.
The village centre is almost always bustling with activity especially on Sundays when residents of H'Attard (known in Maltese as Saraċini) mingle with fellow churchgoers and proceed to nearby cafes and bistros for a pastizz and a cold kinnie. One may also notice great activities during the village feast celebrated during the 11th and 15th of August.
H'Attard is also the location of St. Catherine Nursing Home, one of the largest in the Maltese Islands.
The H'Attard Primary School serves as a polling station during elections. Like all other localities in Malta, H'Attard Local Council elections are held every three years.
St.Mary is the patron saint of H'Attard. The feast is celebrated on the 15th of August every year. The 15th August is a national holiday on the Maltese islands. The current parish priest is Dun Noel Vassallo.
Clubs and Societies in Ħ'Attard
The Malta Amateur Radio League club house is situated in Ħ'Attard and is the representative body for amateur radio in Malta. Since MARL was established in 1922, its aim was to bring together people interested in amateur radio and electronics,discuss and defend amateur radio matters and opinions with the local authorities. It provides educational facilities for members with interest in amateur radio and electronics and also an equipped amateur radio station. MARL corresponds and expresses its ideas and interests with local and foreign same-interest groups. MARL provides its members the facilities of a two-way QSL Bureau as well as financing and maintaining VHF & ATV repeaters and beacons.
The musical society of La Stella Levantina is the first and primary one of its kind in the village. It organises the major activities of the village feast held during the 11th -15th of August, Including band marches and feast decorations. It teaches music (for free) in its local club situated in the centre of the village.
Notable Residences
The President's official residence, San Anton Palace, is situated in Ħ'Attard as is Villa Bologna, once home to Baron Strickland GCMG, Count of Catena.
The American Ambassador accredited to the Republic of Malta resides in Attard. The residence is located along Triq il-Linja. The Tunisian Ambassador also resides in Attard, on Triq Nutar Zarb.
MFSA building, Notabile Road, Attard
93.3 Central FM Malta
The Village of Attard used to house a community radio, 93.3 Central FM, a station which transmitted all over the three villages and surrounding areas. Transmitting on 93.3MHz, Central FM was a non-commercial station which served the Attard, Lija, Balzan and the surrounding community.
The station was very popular in the area mostly due to its informative reference through ongoing community news updates concerning the three villages and entertaining content.
San Anton Gardens
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Sant'Anton is not only rich in artistic and historical legacies, but as a magnet for hosting, entertainment and celebrations, even as a job-provider and an apprenticeship for Attard residents. This palace has greeted royalty too numerous to list - from Queen Marie of Romania to the Russian Empress Marie Feodorovna, from King Edward VII to Queen Elizabeth II in this century alone; it has seen the most distinguished visitors in contrasting personal situations - Napoleon's younger brother Louis Bonaparte as a prisoner, the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge as an admiring recluse.
Governor Borton opened its botanic gardens to the public in 1882 for picnics and strolls. Its shaded open courtyards today may ring with the classical music of an occasional chamber orchestra or string quintet, but the gardens regularly host extremely popular shows, fairs and competitions, from plants to flowers, to pet cats and dogs, to birds, chickens and rabbits. Every summer a dramatic company puts on a Shakespeare Festival.
During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting hosted by Malta in November 2005, the President's Palace in Attard served as a residence for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA)
The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has its headquarters in Attard. The MFSA has taken over those supervisory functions that were previously conducted by the Central Bank of Malta, the Malta Stock Exchange and the Malta Financial Services Centre and is now an important regulator for financial services. The sector incorporates all financial activity especially investment, banking and insurance.
Transport
Buses to/through Ħ'Attard: 40, 84, 80, 81, 810, 75
Sports
Attard is the home of Attard F.C., which currently competes in Malta's Third Division.
Attard Anthem
Listen to the anthem
| Maltese |
english Translation |
| Ġonna li jfewħu biż-żahar tal-larin,
djar fl-isqaqien dellija,
ġawhra ta' tempju, dehra ta' ġmiel,
il-kenn ta' Omm għal dawk li bkew.
Dak li writna tul is-snin
ngħaddu 'l ta' warajna,
xhieda ħajja tal-ġrajjiet
li taw l-ogħla ġieh lil Artna.
Bnadar iperpru ma' l-arbli għoljin,
twieqi għad-dawl miftuħa,
qniepen ferrieħa, kant taż-żerniq,
u l-ħolm sabiħ taż-żmien li ġej.
Dak li writna ...
|
"Gardens that are perfumed with orange blossoms,
houses in the shade of streets,
a gem like a temple, a beautiful sight,
a mother's refuge for those who wept.
What we have inherited throughout the ages,
we pass on to our children,
as witnesses of times passed,
we tell of those things that made our Land proud.
Flags flying on tall masts,
windows open to the light,
joyous bells, the song of dawn,
and beautiful dreams of days to come.
What we have inherited...."
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Attard Local Council
Attard's Interesting Places
- Attard Cemetry (at Mdina Road)
- Church of the Assumption (at Church Square)
- Local Council Garden (at Triq l-Inhasa)
- Biccerija l-Qadima (at Triq Gradilja)
- Old Shooting Range (at Qormi Road)
- San Anton Palace and Gardens (at De Paule Avenue)
- St. Anne Chapel (at St. Anne Street)
- St. Catherine Hospital (at St. Catherine Street)
- St. Paul Chapel (at St. Paul Street)
- Mount Carmel Hospital (at Mdina Road)
- Europa Government Nursery (at Msina Road)
- Track of Malta Railway (at Triq il-Linja)
- Villa Bologna (at St. Anthony Street)
- Wied Incita
- Wied is-Sewda
Attard Community Service
- St Mary Parish Church, Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
- Attard Area Library, Tumas Dingli Primary School
- Attard Local Council, Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
- Attard Police Station, Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
- Attard Sub-Post Office, Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
- Attard Malta Labour Party Club, Triq Tumas Dingli (Thomas Dingli Street)
- Attard Partit Nazzjonalista Club, Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
- Attard Health Centre, Triq Birkirkara (B'Kara Road)
- Attard Primary School Tumas Dingli, Ħal-Warda Road
Zones in Attard
Attard Main Roads
- Pjazza tal-Knisja (Church's Square)
- Triq l-Imdina (Mdina Road)
- Triq iż-Żagħfran
- Triq in-Nutar Zarb (Notary Zarb Street)
- Triq il-Belt Valletta (Valletta Road)
- Triq il-Knisja (Church Street)
- Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
- Triq il-Linja (Railway Track Street)
- Triq il-Mosta (Mosta Road)
- Triq Sant' Antnon (St Anthony Street)
- Triq Santa Katarina (St Catherine Street)
- Triq il-Pitkali
- Triq Victor Vassallo (Victor Vassallo Street)
- Triq Ħal-Warda (Hal Warda Road)
- Triq Ħaż-Żebbuġ (Zebbug Road)
See also
External links
References
Coordinates: 35°53′34″N, 14°26′18″E
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