Msida
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| Msida | |
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Motto: Novissima Surgo |
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| Official name: | L-Imsida |
| Inhabitants' name: | Misidjan (m), Misidjana (f), Misidjani (pl) |
| Other names: | (code: MSD) |
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| Latitude: | 35°53 '52" N |
| Longitude: | 14°29 '22" E |
| Area: | 1.7km² |
| Population total: | 7,623 |
| Population density: | 4,488/km² |
| Borders: | Birkirkara, Ħamrun, Gżira, Pietà, San Ġwann, Santa Venera, Ta' Xbiex |
| Patron saint: | St. Joseph |
| Day of festa: | 1st Sunday after July 19 |
| Mayor: | Alexander Sciberras (MLP) |
| Website: | imsida.gov.mt |
Msida (pronounced 'Msy'da), also known as L-Imsida, is a harbour town in Malta with a population of 7,623 (November 2005). The town is located just North of Valletta in the east coast of Malta. The town enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry, sunny summers and short, cool winters.
The neighbouring towns of Msida are Ta’Xbiex, Gzira and San Gwann, Birkirkara, Santa Venera, Hamrun, Pieta’. Msida is an important City for all travellers; In fact 55% of the Bus Routes pass through Msida.
The patron saint of Msida is Saint Joseph while the protector is The Holy Conception. For a week and a half in July, the town celebrates the feast of St. Joseph. The feast of Msida is also famous for its traditional game “Il-Gostra”.
Although relatively small, Msida is one of the most important and beautiful towns in Malta.
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[edit] History
Its name comes from an Arabic word meaning "a fisherman's dwelling". However it could also be derived from the word 'Omm Sidna' meaning 'The Mother of Our Lord' since there could have been a small chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.
Msida was previously an old fishing village. Although it is now more urbanised, some fishermen still operate in the village.
Msida became a parish in 1867. Then the settlement was centered around the hovels located inward at Valley Road, and some nearby ancillary roads and pathways which led up to the quaint district of Villambrosa. This status did not last long however, as a new parish Ħamrun was hived off in 1881. Today the lowest part of Villambrosa Street remains a silent reminder of Msida's jurisdiction in this area. Msida would also eventually see parts of its territory lost to new parishes at Santa Venera in 1918, Pietà in 1968 and Ta' Xbiex in 1969.
Its population, which at one time numbered 11,000, thus also dwindled to a mere 6,000. However the recent aforementioned demands as well as residential developments in the outlying suburb of Swatar, have now seen an increase to more than 7600 inhabitants. Swatar also hosts St. Martin's College, a leading private secondary school.
Today, Msida is now a bustling university town and development has in fact been centered around an ever increasing student population at the University and at Skylark School of English as well as various new service industries that have sprung in this town in recent years.
[edit] Media
Msida host two local newspapers, one of them is the "Lehen il-Misidjani" (The Voice of the Misidjani) produced and edited by the local band club the Ghaqda Melita Banda San Guzepp Msida. The "Lehen il-Misidjani" gathers information on most of the Msida Communities, Clubs and Associations, such as the "Ghaqda tan-Nar San Guzepp Msida" which is the local pyrotechnic association, the local football club "The Msida St.Joseph", the band club it's self and more...
Another newspaper is the "Id f'Id" (Hand in Hand) which is produced by the Parish and the Ghaqda Armar Msida. It basically contains information on the church activities, religious activities in Msida and the Feasts.
[edit] Geography
The lower part of Msida lies at the outlet of a valley and is a fulcrum for heavy traffic going to Sliema, Valletta, Birkirkara and St. Luke's Hospital. When it rains, water rushes down towards the sea from surrounding cities at higher levels and often causes floods, bringing traffic to a halt in the area opposite the Parish Church dedicated to St. Joseph. Msida also hosts an old rock hewn chapel dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, a rarity of its kind.
Msida has also experienced a lot of reclamation from the sea. The town centre and surrounding areas which were located below sea-level were all reclaimed from the sea, after World War II. A new project which intends to catch more surface rainwater running should also considerably remedy a perennial flooding problem which affects this area as well as nearby towns.
[edit] L-Ghajn tal-Hasselien
This quaint building is known as "l-Ghajn tal-Hasselin". It was constructed in 1750 and funded by the Bailiff Philip Wolfgang de Gutenberg. The Ghajn provided a source of water for the villagers, and would be used by housewives to wash clothes and vegetables.
It is said that once the Msida fisherman, used to keep their fish fresh and alive in the water of the Ghajn.
It is also said that the water of the Ghajn was very good for ones health, this is because of it's salmaster taste and the minerals it used to contain.
[edit] University of Malta
The University of Malta is situated in a part of Msida known as Tal-Qroqq which rests on higher ground. Msida is also home to the Giovanni Francesco Abela Junior College and a State Nursing Home.
[edit] Sports
- Msida is home to Msida Saint-Joseph F.C., the local football team currently playing in the Highest Divion of Malta, The BOV Premier League. The team colours are Red and White. Website: http://www.msidastjoseph.com/
- Msida also hosts the Msida Red Stars A.F.C, which is a local 7 A-Side team and participates int the I.A.S.C (Inter Amateur Soccer Competition). Website: http://www.freewebs.com/msidaredstarsafc/
- Msida Bocci Klabb(Club), the local bocci team.
[edit] Mater Dei Hospital
Malta's new hospital, the Mater Dei Hospital is also located in the outskirts of Msida. It was inaugurated by the prime minister of Malta Dr. Gonzi in June of 2007 and has a total floor area of 232,000m² and approximately 8,000 rooms. It also houses a teaching facility for the University of Malta.
The hospital has cost the Maltese people 200,000,000 Maltese liri, a considerable increase compared to its original estimate of 83,000,000 liri. [1] Because of the mismanagement, the project became the centre of political controversies over the past ten years. The hospital was intended to be a specialised centre when it started to be built by the Nationalist administration but was eventually changed to a general hospital with a change in government. It is expected to cost 1.5million liri per week to run.
[edit] Msida Marina
In the late 19th century, a floating British navy hydraulic dock was also planned at the central part of Msida close to where the Torpedo Depot used to stand. The plan was soon aborted but in its stead, this area would in later years experience a booming yacht marina service, which has been growing ever since, thanks to new incentive policies issued by the central government.
Although it is known as the Msida Yacht Marina, most of the quays actually extends into the neighbouring villages of Pietà, Ta' Xbiex and Gżira.
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Msida-Marina.jpg
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[edit] Zones in Msida
- Misraħ il-Barrieri
- Msida Yacht Marina
- Swatar
- Ta' Sisla
- Ta' Ziza
- Tal-Qroqq
- Tas-Salib
- Tat-Tigan
- Il-Wied
[edit] Culture
Msida traditionally celebrates the Feast of St. Joseph on the first Sunday after July 19 every year. The local football club is Msida St. Joseph F.C.
[edit] Band Clubs
- Melita Club St. Joseph Band (L-Għaqda Melita Banda San Ġużepp)
[edit] Msida Main Roads
- Misraħ Ġużè Ellul Mercer (Ellul Mercer Square)
- Misraħ il-5 ta' Ottubru (5th October Square)
- Misraħ il-Menqa (Menqa Square)
- Triq D'Argens (Rue D'Argens)
- Triq il-Marina (Marina Street)
- Triq il-Prinċipessa Margarita (Princess Margreth Street)
- Triq il-Wied ta' l-Imsida (Msida Valley Road)
- Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli (M.A. Vassalli Road)
- Triq Reġjonali (Regional Road)
- Xatt ta' l-Imsida (Msida Seafront)
- Xatt Ta' Xbiex (Ta' Xbiex Seafront)
[edit] External links
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