Żejtun
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Żejtun | |
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 Coat of arms |
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Motto: Città Beland (Frott iż-Żebbuġ Ismi) |
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| Official name: | Iż-Żejtun |
| Inhabitants' name: | Żejtuni (m), Żejtunija (f), Żwieten (pl) |
| Other names: | Casal Santa Catarina; Bisqallin; Casal Bisbut (code: ŻTN) |
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| Latitude: | 35°51 '20" N |
| Longitude: | 14°32 '0" E |
| Area: | 5.4km² |
| Population total: | 11,410 (9th largest locality) |
| Population density: | 2,126/km² |
| Borders: | Tarxien, Marsaxlokk, Għaxaq, Fgura, Żabbar, Marsaskala, Santa Luċija |
| Patron saint: | St. Catherine of Alexandria |
| Day of festa: | 3rd week of June |
| Mayor: | Joseph Attard (MLP) |
| Website: | http://www.zejtun.gov.mt |
Żejtun (also called Iż-Żejtun) is a medium sized town in the south of Malta. Żejtun holds the title of Città Beland, which was bestowed by Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim, Grandmaster of Knights of Malta in 1797, Beland being his mother's surname. Żejtun takes its name from Arabic az-zaytun [الزيتون] “the olive”, which was one of the main productive industries in Malta. It is also known as Ħal-Bisbut, or Casal Bisbut. The current archpriest is Fr. Eric Overand, while the mayor is Mr. Joe Attard. Żejtun population is projected to increase from 11,425 inhabitants in 2005 to 13,133 in 2010.
[edit] History
In Medieval times the whole district around Żejtun, that is the southern end of Malta, was known as le Terre di Santa Caterina, ( Italian for 'the lands of Saint Catherine', Italian being the official language in the period). During this period a number of new villages such as such as Ghaxaq and Marsaxlokk emerged from parts of the Parish of Żejtun. most of these are today separate parishes. The local militia regiment of Żejtun was one of the first to engage the Ottoman forces in the initial stages of the Great Siege of 1565, but the town continued to suffer attacks by Turkish pirates up to 1614, when an attack by the Turks was repulsed without aid from other militias.[citation needed] The town served a minor role in the French Blockade of 1799/1801 as a depot for soldiers. It was one of the first towns in Malta, outside the main fortified areas of Malta, to boast a Public Garden. This garden, the Luqa Briffa Garden, still stands today. It is named after a famous cavalryman during the Great Siege of Malta.
Żejtun passed the British-rule of the Maltese islands as a rural-backwater in the green fields of the Mazza Valley. In this period it had one of the many hospitals in Malta for wounded British and French soldiers in the First World War, which hospitals earned the island the nickname of the Nurse of the Mediterranean. Since Malta's Independence, the town expanded rapidly due to home-ownership-schemes, industrial estates and housing estates built around the old village core.
During the last fifty years, the town has been known for fervent political rivalry which culminated in 1987, with an infamous riot involving rival supporters of the Nationalist and the Malta Labour Party taking place in the main road approaching the town, known as Tal-Barrani, when the nationalists tried to do a meeting in Zejtun. The town's fervent political rivalry, particularly during the turbulent 1980s has cause the inhabitants of the town to be labeled as hot-heads. This labeling still persists to this day, even if to a much lower extent.
[edit] Churches, Chapels and Remains
The village contains various Roman remains, including a Roman Villa, and a Church dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The foundation stone was blessed in 1692 and the first archpriest was Dun Pawl Branchel. This Church, which was eventually finished in 1720, was the follower of a previous one, which still stands today on the edge of the town, which was also dedicated to Saint Catherine, but is colloquially known as Saint Gregory's, probably due to the annual procession dedicated to that saint, which in Medieval Times used to start from as far as Mdina.
Żejtun boasts a large number of chapels such as the one dedicated to St. Clement, Our Lady of Good Counsel, The Saviour and The Assumption (known as Santa Marija in Maltese), The Holy Spirit and St. Angelo.
[edit] Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows
The devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows in the Maltese Islands is very strong. In Żejtun this devotion is alive in churches, streets and also in homes.
[edit] The Village Feast
The most important event which takes place in the town during the year is the feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria, which is celebrated in summer and not in the traditional date of the 25th of November. On this day Żejtun's two rival musical bands, the Banda Beland and the Żejtun Band, perform at Gregory Bonnici Square. The anthem dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, sung in Żejtun during the feast, was written by Emmanuele Palmier-Cecy while it was composed by Dun Lawrenz Mifsud. Until the mid-1970s Żejtun used to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Doctrine as a secondary feast.
[edit] Parish Church (Il-Parroċċa ta' Santa Katarina)
In the parish church one can find a crucifix, the 'sotto quadro', that portrays the Jesus Christ dead on his mother Mary. This work of art is attributed to Antonio Mamo and was made in 1727 for a sum of 40 scuds. In the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows this chapel decorated with damasc.
Also in the parish church, in the chapel of Our Lady of Charity one can find the painting that represent The Madonna with John under the cross. This painting depicts the Gospel of John when Jesus Christ from the cross told: "Wife, here is your son", and then told to the apostle: "Here is your mother." This painting is attributed to the artist from Żejtun, Toussaints Busuttil (1912-1994). In the museum of the parish church one can also find another painting that represent the sorrow that passed from it Mary.
Apart from these paintings, in the parish church there is also statues that march in the procession of Good Friday. One is known by the people of Żejtun as 'Tal-Pietà' (of Pietà). This is a statue with four figures. The Madonna with Jesus dead on her with Joseph from Arimathea and Nicodemo. This statue is made in Lecce by the firm Capoccia and was done on copy of the statue of the famous Michelangelo in St. Peter's Basilica. This statue was brought to Żejtun in 1965 by Frankie Grima.
The other statue that is known by the Żejtun people as 'il-Vara tad-Duluri' (Our Lady of Sorrows' Statue), portraying Our Lady that was made in Lecce and a small angel near her. In the beginning of the last century there was also another angel with Our Lady, this one was in standing position. But in World War I this angel was removed and another angel was added in a sitting position, by the artist from Qormi, Ġużeppi Cilia.
In the middle of the 20th century this angel also removed and was replaced by a statue of Saint John by Cav. Wistin Camilleri (1885-1979). But after a few years this statue was removed and the original sitting angel was restored. In 2005, a new statue of St John was made by Alfred Camilleri Cauchi, which will take the place of the angel once again.
This statue of Our Lady of Sorrows (Duluri), apart from March in the Good Friday procession with the eleven other statues of Żejtun, also march in the procession of Our Lady of Sorrows (il-purċissjoni tad-Duluri), that took place the Friday before Palm Sunday.
In the past the procession of the 'Duluri' was only on Good Friday. After the statue left, many children and women with 'faldetta' would pray at the Rosary.
[edit] The Oratory (L-Oratorju)
In the oratory there is also a stone artwork that represents Our Lady of Sorrows with Jesus and under them are portrayed the souls of purgatory. This altar is all done by Maltese stone. This altar in the feast of All Souls' Day, in November was open for adoration.
[edit] Holy Ghost Church (Il-Knisja ta' l-Ispirtu s-Santu)
Few meters away from the Parish Church there is the church of the Holy Ghost (L-Ispirtu s-Santu), where ne of the three altars in this church is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. There is a painting of Toussaints Busuttil, that was made in 1945. But this is not the first painting in this church under this title.
[edit] Jesus of Nazareth Church (Il-Knisja ta' Ġesù Nazzarenu)
In the Church of Jesus of Nazareth there is an altar dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. The figure of Mary is in the standing position and a small angel holds the crone of Jesus. This is a work in marble that was made in a foreign country and was ordered by the Bishop Emanuel Galea (1891-1974).
[edit] Our Lady of Mercy Church (Il-Knisja tal-Madonna tal-Ħniena)
Another center of devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows in Żejtun, is the church of Our Lady of Mercy (Madonna tal-Ħniena), in the zone of Bir id-Deheb. In 1575 a church already existed in this place, but in 1618 Bishop Cagliares ordered its closure. Three years later the Bishop reopened this church, dedicating it to St Mary but giving it the title of Our Lady of Mercy.
In 1659 this church closed for another time and the altar transferred to the church of Santa Marija tal-Ħlas, also in Żejtun. It reopened for the second time in 1677.
[edit] St Mary of Ħal-Tmiem Church (Il-Knisja ta' Santa Marija ta' Ħal-Tmiem)
In the church of Santa Marija ta' Ħal-Tmiem (St Mary of Hal-Tmiem) there is a statue of Our Lady of Sorrows that is copy of the statue of the parish church.
[edit] Madonna della Signora Church (Il-Knisja tas-Sinjura)
In this church, known by the residents as 'Tas-Sinjura', there is a bust of Our Lady of Sorrows under a big cross that found in this church.
[edit] St Gregory Church (Il-Knisja ta' San Girgor)
Also in the church of St Gregory, that was the parish church of Żejtun before today's parish church, there is a statue of Our Lady of Sorrows on a rock, in the chapel of Our Lady of Monte Carmel.
[edit] St Clement Church (Il-Knisja ta' San Klement)
In the church of St Clement there is a painting by Francesco Zahra. In this painting one can find the Madonna with Jesus on her ans some small angels. This painting some years ago was arranged by the Żejtun painter Twanny Spagnol.
[edit] In Żejtun's streets
In Żejtun's streets find also four niches represent Our Lady of Sorrows. This niches find in Triq il-Ħerba, Triq il-Madonna tal-Ħniena (Our Lady of Mercy Street), another in Triq Licata and also one in Pjazza Bandolier.
In Żejtun there are also two streets dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. These are Triq il-Madonna tal-Ħniena (Our Lady of Mercy Street) that connect the zone of Bir id-Deheb with the centre of the city, and another street that connect the centre of Żejtun with the housing estate of Ta' Ganza with the name of Triq id-Duluri (Our Lady of Sorrows Street).
The devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows among the people of Zejtun is still strong to this day. Numerous people come from Żejtun and other Maltese localities of Malta to take part in the Our Lady of Sorrows procession.
[edit] References
- Pg. 23, L-Aħħar Ikla Ċentru Parrokkjali
- Pg. 15, Mejda ta' l-Appostli Domus Sagra Familja
- Pg. 82/83,Purċissjonijiet tal-Ġimgħa l-Kbira (PIN)
- Pg. 25,Armar Żejtun 2001
- Pg. 9, Jum il-Mulej
- pg. 220 Teżori fil-Knejjes Maltin (PIN)
[edit] Personalities
Żejtun is considered as the hub of Maltese folk singing, l-għana and the town has given Malta many of its most respected folk singers.
These include Pawlu Seychell l-Għannej (1907-1992), Pawlu Degabriele il-Bies (1908-1980), Mikiel Abela il-Bambinu (1920-1991) and Frans Baldacchino il-Budaj (1943-2006) . Famous current Żejtun folksingers include Fredu Abela iż-Żejtuni and Mikiel Cutajar is-Superstar.
Renowned author Trevor Żahra and traditional instrument maker Ġużi Gatt also hail from Żejtun. Also named for producing the local Talented Mro. Carlo Diacono who was one of Malta's distinguished composers of sacred music. He also conducted his father's band Beland band club.
Gregory Bonici Square (in Maltese, Misraħ Girgor Bonici), is the main square in the centre of Żejtun, Malta. To Żejtun inhabitants it is known as 'Il-Pjazza' (the square). In the past this square, also with Republic Square (Misraħ ir-Repubblika), was known as Pjazza Maġġura (Major Square).
[edit] Gregory Bonnici (1612-1697)
Gregory Bonnici was the Governor of Mdina from 1654 to 1655. In 1653 he was the Ambassador of the Popular Council of Malta, in Licata, Sicily. In 1670 he built the Church of St. Angelo in Żejtun. He lived near this church at the grand palace Aedes Danielis.
Bonnici gave the land and the interest of his wealth to build the present parish church of Żejtun in 1692.
[edit] The Square
[edit] The Cross (Is-Salib)
In this square (misraħ) one can see a Cross that was brought here in 1850, in place of another cross that the Żejtun inhabitants brought from the church-square of the Capuchine Monks at Birgu, after an attack on Salvatur Fort and Bighi in 1800 in a revolt against the French.
[edit] The Band Clubs
After some argument at Beland Band Club in the beginning of 1930s, a group a bandsmen from this Club formed a jazz band of their own in the Żejtun Local Club of Malta Labour Party. In the era of political-religious arguments of before World War II, this jazz band divided from the political party in June 1933. And they formed a new band club with the name of Żejtun Band. In the 1960s the Żejtun Band society grew rapidly so they bought a new premises in Gregory Bonici Square. They bought this—the present premises—and also a big garden to built the Teatru Pandora (Pandora Theatre). The current president of this band club is Mr. Joe Attard, the Mayor of Żejtun.
In the same square there is also the Ċirkolu Mużikali Santa Katarina (St Catherine Musical Society). This society formed in 1892 by Mr. Salvatore Deguara. For the first years the members of this society met in a house in St Catherine Street, in front of Casa Perellos, until they moved to the premises they use today. This premises before was the home of the Archpriest Antonio Psaila. For the first years they had a regular band known as the 'Despatch', but after some years by the work of Raffaele Bonello and Napoleone Caruana Dingli, moved to a mandolins company, that afterwards became an orchestra. They also built a theatre in the club. The orchestra that they formed was representing concerts in this square and also took part in parish church functions.
[edit] Malta Labour Party Club
In this square apart from band clubs find also the Malta Labour Party - Żejtun Club. In the elections of 1924, Dr. Paul Boffa was elected from the Żejtun District, as a Labour Party candidate. In the 1930s, when the leader of Labour Party was Paul Boffa, the Żejtun sections met where today there is the Żejtun Band club, and stayed there till 18th November 1950, the date when opened the new premises that have today. But it was in the first years of 1970s that they took all the premises, when the Labour Party leader was Architect Dom Mintoff.
[edit] The Monument of Peace
In the beginning of the new millennium the local council of Żejtun decided to make a monument symbolising peace. This monument consists of an olive tree—the type of tree associated with peace and also the locality of Żejtun—and a cannon that was used in the revolution against the French.
[edit] During the feast
Each year, on the 3rd Sunday of June, Żejtun celebrates the feast of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The square becomes the most important place in Żejtun, decorated with two majestic bandstands (pjanċieri), one belonging to Beland Band and the other to Żejtun Band. In the middle of these two bandstands is placed a statue that consists of 10 figures that represent the Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine.
[edit] Access
From this square you have access to these streets, squares and alleys:
- Republic Square (Misraħ ir-Repubblika)
- 13th December Square (Misraħ Diċembru Tlettax)
- Our Lady of Good Council Street (Triq il-Madonna Tal-Bon Kunsill)
- Constitution Street (Triq il-Kostituzzjoni)
- Gwiedi Street (Triq Gwiedi)
- Herba Street (Triq il-Ħerba)
- Gregory Bonici Alley (Sqaq Girgor Bonici)
[edit] The Schools
Another famous composer, born in Żejtun, was Carlo Diacono; His name is currently mostly associated with the name of the Girl's Junior Lyceum (High School), a few streets away from Saint Gregory's Church. Another school in Żejtun worth mentioning is the Primary School, built in Neo-Classical style, during the British Colonial era, that consist of two primary schools, Żejtun Primary 'A' Dun Alwiġ Camilleri and Żejtun Primary 'B'. Few meters from the primary schools there are also the Kindergarten School. At Żejtun find also a church school the Theresa Nuzzo School.
[edit] References
- Il-Baħar Rasu Iebsa, by Lino Psaila
- Għaqda Banda Żejtun, 2007 Festa Magazine
- Iż-Żejtun Magazine, June 2007
[edit] Public Transport in Żejtun
The main bus numbers that pass from this locality are numbers 29 and 30. But there are other bus numbers that pass from this city, these are these numbers: 8, 11, 13, 27, 28, 110, 113, 127, 627, and 800.
[edit] Spots where the Bus 29 stops
[edit] from Żejtun to Valletta
Start from Carlo Diacono Square or St. Angelo Bus Terminus, and pass from these spots are the city:
- Republic Square
- 13th December Square
- Bishop Emm. Galea Street c/w Tal-Palazzi Street
- Bishop Emm. Galea Street c/w Our Lady of Sorrows Street
- Bishop Emm. Galea Street c/w Dun Ġwann Farrugia Street
- Bishop Emm. Galea Street c/w Qadi Street
- Qadi Street c/w Carobs Street
- Qadi Street c/w St. Thomas Bay Road
- St. Thomas Bay Road (near St. Gregory's Garden)
- President Anton Buttigieg Street c/w Xrob l-Għaġin Road
- President Anton Buttigieg Street c/w Santu Kristu Road
- President Anton Buttigieg Street c/w Ħal Bajda Road
- Bir id-Deheb Road (near Our Lady of Mercy Church)
- Labour Road
- Alfredo Cachia Zammit Street c/w Gius Caruana Street
- Alfredo Cachia Zammit Street c/w Salvu Cacciatolo Street
- Alfredo Cachia Zammit Street c/w Għajn tal-Bhejjem Square
- Cospicua Road
- Bulebel Industrial Estate (Dejma Road c/w Cospicua Road)
- Bulebel Industrial Estate (Dejma Road c/w Bulebel Avenue)
- Bulebel Industrial Estate in St. Leonard Street
- Church Street c/w Giuseppe Montebello Street (Tarxien)
- Church Street c/w Daniel Ceci Street (Tarxien)
- Church Street c/w Our Lady of Doctarine Street (Tarxien)
- Market Square (Tarxien)
- Tarxien Road (Tarxien)
- Paola Square (near the Polyclinic of Paola)
- Paola Square (near Main Street Complex, Paola)
- Paola Hill c/w Valletta Road (Paola)
- Sir Paul Boffa Avenue c/w Paola Hill (Paola)
- Sir Paul Boffa Avenue c/w Santa Lucia Avenue (Paola)
- Marsa Industrial Estate (near One TV complex in Marsa)
- Then complete like other bus routes to Valletta
[edit] from Valletta to Żejtun
The bus 29 starts from Valletta Bus Terminus, then takes the route like other buses for the South of Malta, then when arives in Paola Square near the Paola Parish Church takes this route, pass and stops at these spots:
- Tarxien Road c/w Lampuka Street (Paola)
- St. Mary Street (Tarxien)
- Birżebbuġa Road c/w Church Street (Tarxien)
- Church Street (near the Gym Stars Complex of Tarxien)
- Church Street c/w Żejtun Road (Tarxien)
- Bulebel Industrial Estate (at St. Leonard Street)
- Bulebel Industrial Estate (at Dejma Road)
- Cospicua Road (near Buleben iż-Żgħir Housing Estate)
- South of Cospicua Road
- Għajn tal-Bhejjem Square (near St. Clement Church)
- Alfredo Cachia Zammit c/w Bishop Zahra Street
- Alfredo Cachia Zammit c/w St. Catherine Street
- 25th November Avenue
- Carlo Diacono Square c/w Mater Boni Consigli Street
- Then completes the route like the route of bus 29 from Żejtun to Valletta till Labour Road, beacuse then come again in Carlo Diacono Square/ St. Angelo Bus Terminus.
[edit] Bus 30
The route of Bus 30 is likes the bus route of Bus 29, from Valletta to Żejtun, but then when the bus arrives at Qadi Street take direction to this route:
- Qadi Street c/w St. Thomas Bay Road
- St. Thomas Bay Road (near Ħal-Tmien Housing Estate)
- St. Thomas Bay Road c/w Ramla Road
- St. Thomas Bay Road (Marsaskala area)
- St. Thomas Bay Road (near Mamo Tower in Marsaskala)
- St. Thomas Bay Bus Terminus (at Tal-Gardiel Road)
then begins again the route to Żejtun from the same route that pass to arrives at St. Thomas Bay, but still arrives near Ħal-Tmiem Housing Estate, because then pass from:
- St. Thomas Bay Road (near St. Gregory's Garden)
- President Anton Buttigieg Street (all bus stops)
- Bir id-Deheb Road (near Our Lady of Mercy's Church)
- Labour Road
- 25th November Avenue c/w Alfredo Cachia Zammit Street
- Carlo Diacono Square (St. Angelo Bus Terminus)
then complete again the route to Valletta like bus 29.
[edit] Spots where Bus 27 and Bus 127 stops
[edit] From Marsaxlokk/Qajjenza to Valletta
The bus 27 starts from Fishermen's Strand in Marsaxlokk and the bus 127 starts from Qajjenza in Birżebbuġa. Then the both buses pass from the same roads till arrive at Żejtun. Then at Żejtun stop at these spots:
- Gћar Dalam Road
- Tal-Barrani Road c/w Terħa Street
- Bir id-Deheb Road (near Our Lady of Mercy's Church)
- Labour Road
- Carlo Diacono Square (St. Angelo Bus Terminus)
- Alfredo Cachia Zammit Street c/w Gius Caruana Street
- Alfredo Cachia Zammit Street c/w Salvu Cacciatolo Street
- Alfredo Cachia Zammit Street c/w Toni Zahra Street
- Cospicua Road
Then complete the route like Bus 29
[edit] From Valletta to Marsaxlokk/Qajjenza
Bus 27 and Bus 127, both start from Valletta Bus Terminus and make the route like other buses for the south of Malta. But then when arrive at Aldo Moro Road (Marsa), take direction for this route:
- Sir Paul Boffa Avenue (Paola)
- Paola Hill (Paola)
- Valletta Road (Paola)
- Antoine De Paule Square (Paola)
- Tarxien Road c/w Lampuka Street (Paola)
- St. Mary's Street (Tarxien)
- Birżebbuġa Road c/w Church Street (Tarxien)
- Palm Street (Tarxien)
- Tal-Barrani Road c/w St. Leonard Road
[edit] Zones in Żejtun
- Bir id-Deheb
- Bisqallin
- Bulebel Industrial Estate
- Ġebel San Martin
- Gwiedi, (Il-Gwiedi) is the zone in front of the parish church of Żejtun. This zone was the most important zone of this city, because in the past lived there many nobile families of Żejtun.
The word "Gwiedi" is the plural of "Gudja", that means a small circualar hill. And is also a popolar name of many estates in Malta. One of them is the locality of Gudja.
- Ħajt il-Wied
- Ħal-Bisbut
- Ħal-Ġwann
- Ħal-Tmiem
- Ta' Ganza
- Tal-Barrani
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