LOCAL
WORDS MATTHEW CAMILLERI (TOUR GUIDE AT COLOUR MY TRAVEL)
O F F T H E B E A T E N T R A C K ŻEBBUĠ
ĦAŻ-ŻEBBUĠ IS ONE OF THE OLDEST SETTLEMENTS IN MALTA. NAMED AFTER THE LARGE OLIVE GROVES THAT WERE ONCE FOUND IN THE AREA, ITS MOTTO 'SEMPER VIRENS', OR 'EVER GREEN', APTLY DESCRIBES THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE AND NUMEROUS VALLEYS THAT STILL SURROUND IT. Although the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times,
precluded the fulfilment of this vow for 20 years, upon the
Ħaż-Żebbuġ as we know it today originated in the 14th
death of de Rohan, an effort was made to keep the promise.
century, when three smaller hamlets were joined together.
Of the two arches planned, however, only one was actually
During the time of the Order of St John, it became one of the
constructed, funded by donations from the local inhabitants.
most important towns in Malta, mainly due to its major role in
The arch, inaugurated in 1798, was built in the Neo-Classical style
the cotton industry. During the second half of the 18th century,
and survives to this day - surely one of the town’s most striking
the population of what was by then a flourishing town, courted
architectural features.
the French Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc, who in turn bestowed Ħaż-Żebbuġ with the status of a city - Citta'
THE PARISH CHURCH
Rohan - in the year 1777.
Undoubtedly the main landmark of Haż-Żebbuġ is its beautiful parish church. The first church here was built in 1412 through the
DE ROHAN ARCH
generosity of Filippo de Catania, a wealthy Sicilian merchant,
To celebrate this historic event, the locals committed themselves
who wished for it to be dedicated to his favourite saint and the
to building two triumphal arches. Although financial difficulties
one he was named after - St Philip of Agira. The present structure
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