Balzan

Balzan

For the international Balzan prize and its donator, Eugenio Balzan, see Balzan Prize

Three Villages of Malta
Balzan - Attard - Lija

Balzan (Ħal Balzan)
Coat of arms
Motto: Hortibus undique septa
Official name:	Ħal-Balzan
Inhabitants:	Balzani (m), Balzanija (f), Balzanin (pl)
Other names:	Casal Balzan (code: BZN)

Latitude:	35°53 '53" N
Longitude:	14°27 '12" E
Area:	0.6km²
Population total:	3,869
Population density:	6,482/km²
Borders:	Attard, Lija, Iklin, Birkirkara
Patron saint:	The Annunciation; St. Valentine
Day of festa:	2nd Sunday of July; 14th February
Mayor:	John Zammit Montebello (PN)
Website:	balzan.gov.mt

Balzan (or Ħal-Balzan, pronounced bal-tsan) is the name of a small village found towards the centre of the Maltese Islands in the Mediterranean sea. It is one of the so called three villages, together with Attard and Lija.

The village originally consisted of a group of small dwellings and farms, but eventually grew, becoming a parish in the 17th century. Presently the village has around 3,400 inhabitants, the younger generation living on the outskirts of the village.

Local council elections take place every three years. The name Balzan is thought to be Arabic in origin, possibly coming from the olive groves and different species of orange trees (Bitter oranges, blood red oranges etc.) which grew in the area. Also the name is thought to have originated from the surname of a Sicilian family that used to live in the area where Balzan is now situated.

The parish church, built in the mid-17th century, is dedicated to the Annunciation of Our Lady. The church is built in the form of a Latin cross, has one belfry and an elegant dome that can be seen from all around the village. The church is built on a Tuscan style from the outside and Doric on the inside. The statue used in the village feast celebrated on the 2nd week of July, is carved in wood by Salvatore Dimech (is-sarc) and shows our lady and Gabriel the Archangel. The parish also celebrates the feast of St. Valentine, which gave the name to the village radio station, Radio Valentine, which closed down officially in 2006.

Balzan is a sought after location and popular with the middle and upper middle classes. It's residents' political affiliation is predominantly that of the Nationalist Party (PN), a centre-right political party currently in government. Lately it's population has increased due to large-scale development taking place, largely in the form of apartment blocks replacing villas and their gardens. However, this is mainly occurring on the outskirts of the village, and not the historic centre. Due to the fact that the majority of Balzan is an Urban Conservation Area, most of its unique character will remain for years to come.

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1 Balzan Community Service
2 Band Clubs
3 Balzan Main Roads
4 Interesting Places at Balzan
5 Zones in Balzan
6 See also
7 External links