Tarxien
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tarxien is a small village found in the southern part of Malta.
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 Coat of arms |
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Motto: Tyrii Genure Coloni (The Phoenicians Created Me) |
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| Official name: | Ħal-Tarxien |
| Inhabitants' name: | Tarxieniż (m), Tarxieniża (f), Tarxieniżi (pl) |
| Other names: | (code: TXN) |
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| Latitude: | 35°51 '57" N |
| Longitude: | 14°30 '43" E |
| Area: | 0.9km² |
| Population total: | 7,597 |
| Population density: | 8,622/km² |
| Borders: | Fgura, Paola, Santa Luċija, Żejtun |
| Patron saint: | Annunciation (il-Lunzjata) |
| Day of festa: | 3rd Sunday of May (Annunciation); 3rd Sunday of July Our Lady of Doctrine |
| Mayor: | Paul Farrugia (MLP) |
| Website: | tarxien.gov.mt/ |
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[edit] Description
Tarxien (or Ħal Tarxien) is a small village in the southeast of Malta. The etymology of the village may be a corruption of one of two words: Tarzin, an Arabic word for a family of trees; or Tirix, meaning a large stone, similar to those used for the village's noted temples. The village motto is Tyrii Genure Coloni ("The Phoenicians created me").
[edit] Prehistoric temples
The oldest temple is said to date back to about 2800 BCE. The temples feature various statues and reliefs of animals, including goats (for which Malta is noted) and pigs. Most notable of the statues found in the Temples are about 2.5 m in height, and are said to represent a sort of Mother Goddess. There are several of these statues scattered around the various temples, and are thought to represent fertility.
[edit] Population
Today, the village is inhabited by just 7,608 villagers (Nov 2005). When the summer comes, the heat drives most of the citizens of Tarxien to the seaside villages of Malta, often bringing down the population of the village to about two-thirds of what it is during the colder months.
[edit] Churches and Chapels
The parish church of Tarxien is dedicated to the Annunciation. The church was elevated to the status of parish in 1592, making it one of the oldest parishes of Malta. A key part of Tarxien culture is the feast of the Annunciation, whose external feast is celebrated in late May or first Sunday of June. It is celebrated with large fireworks displays. Other feasts are Our Lady of Holy Doctrine, which is celebrated on the third Sunday of July also with fireworks displays, and Our Lady of the Rosary, is celebrated every first Sunday of October with a devotional procession.
The second largest church in town is dedicated to the Resurrection of Christ better known by the locals as "Ta' l-Erwieħ" (phonetics: ɛrwiː'h). The word means "of the souls" and it is used due to the old cemetry that surrounds the church. This church is right next to the renowned Tarxien Neolithic Temples and is visited by many tourists as many of the prehistoric remains were also found in the mentioned cemetry.
There are two other small chapels in Tarxien. These are dedicated to St. Bartholomew and St. Mary respectively.
There is also another chapel which is housed in the convent of the Sisters of Charity. This is dedicated to 'Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception'. The same congregation have a school.
There is also another church dedicated to St. Nicholas of Tolentino and a convent which belongs to the Augustinian Friars.
[edit] Band Clubs
- Mary the Annunciation Band Club (L-Għaqda Mużikali Marija Annunzjata)
[edit] Famous People
Former Prime Minister of Malta Dominic Mintoff lives in retirement in Tarxien. Former Minister Magistrate Dr. Joseph Cassar lives in Tarxien. Former Speaker of the House of the Representatives and Ambassador of Malta to the Vatican, Chev. Dr. Jimmy Farrugia lived at Tarxien until his death in 2007.
[edit] Gallery
 Entrance to the temple complex |
 Fat Lady in the Tarxien Temple |
 A relief showing goats and rams |
[edit] Twin cities
[edit] Tarxien Main Roads
- Misraħ ir-Repubblika (Republic Square)
- Misraħ is-Suq (Market Square)
- Triq Birżebbuġa (Birzebbuga Road)
- Triq Brittanika (Brittany Street)
- Triq Ħal-Tarxien (Tarxien Road)
- Triq id-Dejma (Dejma Street)
- Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
- Triq il-Palma (Palm Street)
- Triq Paola (Paola Road)
- Triq San Anard (St Leonard Road)
- Triq Santa Marija (St Mary Street)
- Triq Tal-Barrani (Tal-Barrani Road)
- Triq il-Knisja (Church Street)
[edit] References
- Places of Interest: Tarxien Temples. Accessed on February 21, 2005.
- Places - Tarxien. Accessed on February 21, 2005.
[edit] External links
- Tarxien Local Council
- The Tarxien Temples - Article from Grip magazine (Maltese publication)
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