Nadur
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Nadur | |
|---|---|
| Official name: | In-Nadur |
| Inhabitants' name: | Nadurin |
|
|
|
| Latitude: | 36°2 '17" N |
| Longitude: | 14°17 '42" E |
| Population total: | 4,181 (Nov 2005) |
| Borders: | Għajnsielem, Qala, Xagħra |
| Patron saint: | St. Peter and St. Paul |
| Day of festa: | Mnarja: June 29 |
| Website: | nadur.gov.mt/ |
Nadur (or In-Nadur) is a village on Gozo Island, Malta.
Contents |
[edit] History
The word "Nadur" which in Maltese means "look out", is derived from the Arabic word nadara. The town's motto means much the same.
There are no documents or archaeological evidence which could shed light on the colonization of Nadur by its first inhabitants. Nevertheless, the plateau and its surroundings, with a few farmhouses scattered here and there, were in existence for many years well before the area became a parish in 1688. The only trace of archaeological evidence were a number of large flat stones found in a field between San Blas Bay and Daħlet Qorrot. According to the Gozitan historian G. P. F. Agius de Soldanis these roofed structures, which are not in existence anymore, once used to serve as a sort of temple to the gods. He also imagined that these slabs of stone couldn't have been placed there by normal people but by very strong people or giants. He also wrote that Nadur may have been founded during the time of the Greeks. One proof of this connection is a bronze statue of Apollo said to be found in Nadur in 1744.
Throughout history Nadur played a very important role in the defense of the island from corsairs, hence the name. During the reign of the Knights of St. John, a watch tower was built by Grand Master Nicholas Cotoner which has been referred to by Dahlet Qorrot Tower or San Blas Tower for the two bays lying on either side of it. The tower is locally known as Ta' Sopu Tower.
Another watchtower found in Nadur is Ta' Kenuna Tower built by the British towards the middle of the 19th century. It served as a telegraph link between Malta and Gozo. From the top of this semaphore tower, one can see most of the island, Comino and the northern part of Malta.
[edit] Nadur Today
Today, Nadur has a population of 4,181 people (Nov 2005), which makes it one of the foremost localities in Gozo. A substantial number of Nadurin emigrated to the United States of America, Canada and Australia during the years after the Second World War.
There are a significant number of farmers in Nadur, the majority of whom work their fields on part-time basis. From the orchards of Nadur come most of the local fruits such as plums, peaches, apples, oranges and lemons. This produce maintained commercial contacts with Malta for over 3000 years. Today this commerce is still ongoing and a great amount of Maltese citrus is produced from Nadur. Recently the local council promoted the planting of olive trees imported from Italy as these trees have consistently decreased in number over a period of years.
A good number of others earn their living from the sea as fishermen or sailors. This trade has been popular with the Nadurin at a period when the fishing methods were still primitive in our islands. As a matter of fact a number of fishermen from Nadur have lost their lives in rough seas.
[edit] Nadur Parish
The religious feast of Nadur – Mnarja – is celebrated on June 29 (http://www.june29th.com). The feast was very popular with honeymooners and its name seems to suggest that there is a possible connection with the beginning of Summer. It is derived from luminaria (illumination), and in fact it is a festival rooted in Maltese seasonal rituals and customs.
The beloved titular statue, that of St. Peter and St. Paul, was made in Marseilles in 1882. It is one of the many masterpieces that grace the grand church. On Good Friday a beautifully-made set of statues are taken out for the holy procession depicting the passion and crucifixion of Jesus. On the morning of Easter a statue of The Risen Lord is also joyfully paraded.
Nadur was made a parish by Bishop Cocco Palmeri on the April 28, 1688 with Rev. Bernard Haber as first parish-priest. Its population was then 532 and its territory included Għajnsielem, Qala and Comino. The parish church, dedicated to St. Peter and Paul, is a very artistic monument of both architecture and painting, rich in marble works and decorations, erected on the site of a former smaller church and which is also the highest point in town.
[edit] St. Peter & Paul Basilica
The construction of the present temple was begun on September 28, 1760 on the design of the Maltese architect Giuseppe Bonnici (1707–1779).
In 1907 refurbishment took place to construct the aisles, dome and façade, on the Italian Renaissance design of Prof. F.S. Sciortino. The ceiling, depicting episodes connected with St. Peter and Paul, was painted by Lazzaro Pisani (both painters hailing from Ħaż-Żebbuġ), while the architectural decorations are the work of the Italian Pio Cellini. Principal force behind all these new projects was Archpriest Martin Camilleri (1910–1921).
The parish has its own community radio station: Radjuluminaria.
[edit] Nadur Main Roads
- Pjazza San Pietru u San Pawl (St Peter and St Paul Square)
- Triq Daħlet Qorot (Daħlet Qorrot Cove Road)
- Triq Għajn Qasab (Ghajn Qasab Street)
- Triq il-Ħanaq
- Triq il-Knisja (Church Street)
- Triq ir-Rabat (Victoria Road)
- Triq ir-Ramla (Ramla Road)
- Triq it-13 ta' Diċembru (13th December Street)
- Triq it-Tiġrija (Tigrija Road)
- Triq l-Imġarr (Mgarr Road)
- Triq San Blas (San Blas Bay Road)
- Triq San Ġwann (St John Street)
[edit] External links
| edit | Local Councils of Malta |  |
|---|---|---|
| Malta Island | ||
| Attard | Balzan | Birgu (Vittoriosa) | Birkirkara | Birżebbuġa | Bormla (Cospicua) | Dingli | Fgura | Floriana | Għargħur | Għaxaq | Gudja | Gżira | Ħamrun | Iklin | Isla (Senglea, Città Invicta) | Kalkara | Kirkop | Lija | Luqa | Marsa | Marsaskala (Wied il-Għajn) | Marsaxlokk | Mdina (Città Notabile) | Mellieħa | Mġarr | Mosta | Mqabba | Msida | Mtarfa | Naxxar | Paola (Raħal Ġdid) | Pembroke | Pietà | Qormi (Città Pinto) | Qrendi | Rabat | Safi | San Ġiljan (St. Julian's) | San Ġwann | San Pawl il-Baħar (St. Paul's Bay) | Santa Luċija | Santa Venera | Siġġiewi (Città Ferdinand) | Sliema | Swieqi | Tarxien | Ta' Xbiex | Valletta | Xgħajra | Żabbar (Città Hompesch) | Żebbuġ (Città Rohan) | Żejtun (Città Beland) | Żurrieq | ||
| Gozo Island | ||
| Fontana | Għajnsielem | Għarb | Għasri | Kerċem | Munxar | Nadur | Qala | Rabat (Victoria) | San Lawrenz | Sannat | Xagħra | Xewkija | Żebbuġ | ||
