Bidnija

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Bidnija
Official name:	Il-Bidnija
Inhabitants' name:	Tal-Bidnija

Latitude:	35°55 '37" N
Longitude:	14°23 '54" E
Area:	3.8km²
Population total:	308 (2nd smallest village)
Borders:	Mgarr, Mosta, St. Paul's Bay
Patron saint:	Sacred Family
Day of festa:	3rd Sunday of July

Bidnija is a rural hamlet situated in the central northern part of Malta, and home to 308 people (by 2008) which means that it is the second smallest village in the Maltese islands. The inhabitants consider themselves as one family as they are all members of one big family. Bidnija is a tiny village even by Maltese standards, and is located between two main valleys which are 'Wied Qannotta' and 'Wied Tal-Pwales' that extends into other small valleys surrounding the area. It is still largely a farmer's village since it is entirely surrounded by fields which mainly belongs to the inhabitants themselves, although in recent years many have moved here in order to enjoy the quiet life amidst the countryside.

In the present, Bidnija does not have its own local council. However in these last years Bidnija has become divided into 3 main parts with most of it in the limits of Mosta local council, another part in the limits of St. Paul's Bay local council and the remaining part in the limits of Mgarr local council.

Bidnija has good horse riding facilities and is also home of a clay pigeon shooting club. One can also find a good restaurant here which specialises in the traditional Maltese Rabbit Stew. Its small church is dedicated to the Holy Family and a Feast is celebrated in July.

1 History of Bidnija
2 Bidnija Church
3 Streets in Bidnija
4 Zones Around Bidnija
5 References

[edit] History of Bidnija

Although Bidnija is a very small village and so it will be never in the center of attraction for historic research, it is very rich in history as many of the area has remained naturally. Geographically, this hamlet is situated in the northern central part of Malta which through ages was a very good position and active part in Malta.

Bidnija took its name from the 'Bidni olive trees' grove that is found in this village and can date back to 5,000 years. There are certificates that can prove this at sea.unep-wcmc.org. The inhabitants are very proud to have these olive trees in their village as they are indigenous Maltese olive trees which are found nowhere else on Earth except in Malta. These olives are of good importance to olive-oil's productivity. Archaeologists and Researchers also believe some Roman remains (e.g. Roman villa) can be found nearby, as Bidnija makes part of the rural surroundings of Rabat (Mdina), which served as a City in those ages, and also is not far from Salina coast which is said that was a Roman harbour.

When looking at Bidnija hill, one can see such small rooms spread all around the hill's edges. These served for the English soldiers to stay in watching the Maltese island during the World War II as Malta was an English colony in those times. This was surely one of the best places to choose to make the watch as one can see a great part of the Maltese island from up here.

[edit] Bidnija Church

In the 1920's a church designed by master mason Salvu Zahra, was built in the area by the inhabitants themselves to serve for their spiritual needs. This church is dedicated to the Holy Family of Nazareth. A titular painting, together with two other works in this church are painted by Ganni Vella. The titular statue of the Holy Family made by Wistin Camilleri was blessed in July 1977 by the Archpriest of Mosta of those years Mons. Bezzina and a procession was made for the first time. The Feast with the procession in the streets of Bidnija is celebrated by the people of this village on the 3rd Sunday of July.

[edit] Streets in Bidnija

Triq il-Bidnija
Triq is-Sagra Familja
Triq tal-Milord
Triq il-Bdiewa
Triq iż-Żebbuġ
Triq il-Ħarruba
Triq il-Girna
Triq Għajn Riħana
Triq Ta' l-Għażżi
Triq Ta' Ħal-Dragu
Triq Ta' Ġebel Għawżara
Sqaq Ta' San Pawl Milqi

[edit] Zones Around Bidnija

Busewdien
Għajn Astas
Ħal Dragu
Ħanxara
Ħotba ta' San Martin
Il-Folju
Il-Palma
Il-Qolla
L-Arġentier
L-Imbordin
Ras il-Wied
San Martin
Simar
Ta' Garrum
Ta' Rkuplu
Tal-Fjuri
Tal-Ħireb
Wardija
Wied Ħamri
Wied l-Imsellit
Wied Qannotta
Wied tal-Pwales

[edit] References

Bidnija village at bidnija-malta.hi5.com (Bidnija village)
Bidnija limits of Mosta at mosta.gov.mt (Mosta Local Council)
Bidnija limits of St.Paul's Bay at stpaulsbay-online.com (St.Paul's Bay Local Council)

Coordinates: 35°55′37″N, 14°23′54″E