Mġarr (Maltese: L-Imġarr), formerly known as Mgiarro, is a village in the Northern Region of Malta. Mġarr is a rural village, isolated from nearby towns and cities. Mġarr lies west of Mosta and is surrounded by farmland and vineyards. Many of the 4,840[1] Imġarrin are farmers or otherwise engaged in agricultural activity.
History
Prehistory
The Ta' Skorba Temples are the earliest remains of human occupation in Mġarr, dating back to the Neolithic Għar Dalam phase of Maltese Prehistory. It is believed that they settled in Mġarr because of the fields, hills and water streams.[2] Skorba was excavated in the early 1960s.[3]
The Ta' Ħaġrat Temples was built in two phases. The minor Saflieni Phase temple can be entered from the major temple, and was built by smaller rocks. The Ġgantija Phase temple consisted of the rest of the temple, including the majestic entrance.[4] These temples were discovered in 1917 and excavated between 1923 and 1926 by Sir Temi Zammit. The site was again excavated in 1954 and in 1961.[5]
Punic and Roman Rule
Punic Tombs are found scattered around Mġarr, including in Abbatija and near Skorba. These prove that human occupation in Mġarr lasted till around the last century BC.[6] Around 33 Punic Tombs have been found in Mġarr.[7]
The Binġemma Tombs, known as Għerien il-Lhud (English: Jewish Caves) are dug into the Dwejra Hill. These have suffered considerable damage since the cave was used as a dwelling, to house animals and as a war shelter. There are various speculations about what these tombs were for. The Catacombs in Tar-Ragħad show the standing of early Roman Catholics in Malta.
The Roman Villa in Ras ir-Raħeb was apparently used as a site for sacred rites. The Għajn Tuffieħa Roman Baths nearby were erected approximately during the 1st or 2nd century AD. Various rooms including for hot baths, cold baths and relaxation were found. Rooms seem to have been added to be used for recreation.
From the 4th century onwards, there is no concrete proof of what happened in the Mġarr area. During the Arab period, it can only be assumed that small settlements might have persisted in areas like tan-Nadur, ta' Binġemma and tas-Santi, since they were concealed by the hills.[8]
Norman and Hospitaller Rule
Once the Normans conquered Malta and gradually gained full control of it, commerce in the Fomm ir-Riħ, Ġnejna, and Għajn Tuffieħa ports rose. Cotton, cumin and vineyards were also grown to generate income. Ever since 1419, watchmen were assigned to ensure that products were not stolen or looted. Parts of Binġemma and Santi during these times were sold as feudal lands.[9]
Mġarr also played a role in the Great Siege of Malta. The Ottoman invading army, led by Mustafa Pasha anchored their ships in Mġarr.[10] Men from Mġarr also formed part of the Naxxar Dejma Company.
[11]
Churches
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish Church
One of the earliest mentions of the chapel predating the Parish Church that is standing today was in the Rollo of 1436.[12] The Church used to fall under various parishes, including Mdina, Naxxar and Mellieħa. It is understood that the chapel had been standing since the 1400s, and had major renovations in the 1600s to avoid it collapsing. However in 1918 the chapel was demolished and the Parish Church still standing today was built in its place.[13]
Mġarr and its surrounding zones became an autonomus Parish in 1898, when the population was around 581 and was rising steadily.[14] This led to the Parish Priest and the parishioners wishing to erect a larger church than the one currently present. Work on the new Parish Church started in 1905. Its construction depended heavily on voluntary work and the generous contributions obtained by parishioners from the sale of agricultural products. Despite efforts to speed up the work, the church was not completed until 1946. The Church was completely finished and consecrated in 1948, due to interruptions because of the Second World War, amongst others.[15]
The church is situated on elevated ground, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding fields and hills. Numerous houses still encompass the narrow streets surrounding the church, keeping the traditional feel of the church being the most imposing building of the town centre. This can especially be seen from the Binġemma area, where the church can be easily seen as the largest building in central Mġarr.
St Anne Church, Żebbiegħ
Chapel of Our Lady of Itria, Binġemma
Defunct Chapels
St Mary Chapel, Żebbiegħ
St Peter Chapel, Binġemma
St Michael Archangel, Binġemma
Tas-Santi Chapel, Santi
Education
Saint Nicholas College, Mġarr Primary School
The Mġarr Primary School was opened on the 19th of September 1923. Prior to its opening, only 1% of the population were literate in English and/or Italian, and only 4% were literate in Maltese. Fr Edgar Salomone worked hard and managed to influence the members of the newly elected Self Government in favour of the primary school. In 1946, Mġarr had the highest rate of school attendance nationally.[16]
Eventually, the school expanded and built new classes to accommodate the growth in the student population. It also joined the Saint Nicholas College network of schools.
San Andrea School is a private school located in Mġarr.[17] The school was founded in 1992 in Naxxar. It was founded by the Parents Foundation of Education, who also founded San Anton School.
San Anton School is a private school located in Mġarr.[18] The school was founded in 1988 in the village of Attard, close to the President's San Anton Palace, giving the school its name.[19]
Mġarr United F.C. was founded in 1967 after the disillusion of Mġarr Eagles F.C. The Club has had its fair share of successes, and is active in both training its club members and playing matches.[20]
Soċjetà Filarmonika Marija Mtellgħa s-Sema' L-Imġarr
The Santa Marija Mtellgħa s-Sema' Philharmonic Society was founded in October 2011. Preparations for the foundation of the band started before the 2011 Festa.
Apart from the Village Festa, the band also played during the possession ceremony of Mons Kalċidon Vassallo and Fr George Schembri as parish priest. The band also played in various local feasts outside of Imġarr. The band was also was invited by the Italian Comune of Mathi in 2018, as the band's first service abroad.[21]
Soċjetà Spettaklu Marija Assunta Mġarr
The Society is responsible for the fireworks and spectacle events during the Village Festa and other events of local importance.
Government
The Mġarr Local Council was established by the Local Government Act of 1993, along with the other local councils of Malta.[22] The first election was held on 22 January 1994. Other elections were held in 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2019 and 2024. The present local council was elected in 2024. The local council is housed in a building in Triq Sir Harry Luke.
