Dingli

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View of the Mediterranean Sea from the cliffs of Dingli, Malta.
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View of the Mediterranean Sea from the cliffs of Dingli, Malta.

Dingli (or Ħad-Dingli) is a small town in the west coast of Malta, with a population of 3,326 persons (Nov 2005), 13 kilometers from the capital Valletta and two kilometers from the nearest city, Rabat. The village lies on a plateau some 250 metres above sea level. The area provides not only open sea views over the tiny, uninhabited isle of Filfla, but also an excellent vantage point over Malta.

From the cliffs there are views inland of nearby Buskett Gardens and Verdala Palace. The countryside here is ideal for walking. Dingli today is a quiet, rural area though in late medieval times it was one of Malta's largest parishes. The parish church of St. Mary, originally built in 1678, dominates the skyline. The streets around it are narrow and winding and typical of an old agricultural village. Perched on the cliff top is the smaller wayside chapel of St. Mary Magdalene, dating from 1646. Within the limits of Dingli are several prehistoric sites: the so-called `cart ruts' at Clapham Junction, unexplained parallel tracks hewn in the rock; and several megalithic structures.

The cart ruts at Clapham Junction at the edge of Dingli, Malta
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The cart ruts at Clapham Junction at the edge of Dingli, Malta

It is also famous for the Dingli Cliffs found in the west and for the small Buskett forest. The town is surrounded by many fields which are still in use. Dingli is generally split between the old part, and the newer part found around the town's football pitch. The parish of Dingli, which is exactly at the centre, is dedicated the St. Mary Assumption.

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Malta Island
Attard | Balzan | Birgu (Vittoriosa) | Birkirkara | Birżebbuġa | Bormla (Cospicua) | Dingli | Fgura | Floriana | Gudja | Gżira | Għargħur | Għaxaq | Ħamrun | Iklin | Isla (Senglea) | Kalkara | Kirkop | Lija | Luqa | Marsa | Marsaskala | Marsaxlokk | Mdina | Mellieħa | Mġarr | Mosta | Mqabba | Msida | Mtarfa | Naxxar | Paola | Pembroke | Pietà | Qormi | Qrendi | Rabat | Safi | San Ġiljan (St. Julian's) | Santa Luċija | San Pawl il-Baħar (St. Paul's Bay) | San Ġwann | Santa Venera | Siġġiewi | Sliema | Swieqi | Ta' Xbiex | Tarxien | Valletta | Xgħajra | Żabbar | Żebbuġ | Żejtun | Żurrieq
Gozo Island
Fontana | Għajnsielem | Għarb | Għasri | Kerċem | Munxar | Nadur | Qala | Rabat (Victoria) | San Lawrenz | Sannat | Xagħra | Xewkija | Żebbuġ

Coordinates: 35°52′N 14°23′E

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