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Balzan
(Il-Kunsill Lokali ta' Ħal Balzan)
Balzan (Il-Kunsill Lokali ta' Ħal Balzan)
	; Coat of arms
	Motto: Hortibus undique septa
Official name:	Ħal-Balzan
Inhabitants:	Balzani (m), Balzanija (f), Balzanin (pl)
Other names:	Casal Balzan (code: BZN)
Coordinates:	35°53′53″N 14°27′12″E / 35.89806°N 14.45333°ECoordinates: 35°53′53″N 14°27′12″E / 35.89806°N 14.45333°E
Area:	0.6km²
Population total:	3,869
Population density:	6,482/km²
Borders:	Attard, Lija, Iklin, Birkirkara
Patron saint:	The Annunciation; St. Valentine
Day of festa:	2nd Sunday of July; 14th February
Mayor:	John Zammit Montebello (PN)
Website:	balzan.gov.mt

For the international Balzan prize and its donator, Eugenio Balzan, see Balzan Prize

Three Villages of Malta
Balzan - Attard - Lija

Balzan (or Ħal-Balzan) is the name of a small village found towards the centre of the Maltese Islands in the Mediterranean sea. It is one of the so called three villages, together with Attard and Lija.

The village originally consisted of a group of small dwellings and farms, but eventually grew, becoming a parish in the 17th century. Presently the village has around 3,400 inhabitants, the younger generation living on the outskirts of the village. Local council elections take place every three years.

[edit] Etymology

The name Balzan is thought to be Arabic in origin, possibly coming from the olive groves and different species of orange trees (Bitter oranges, blood red oranges etc.) which grew in the area. Also the name is thought to have originated from the surname of a Sicilian family that used to live in the area where Balzan is now situated.

[edit] Culture

The parish church, built in the mid-17th century, is dedicated to the Annunciation of Our Lady. The church is built in the form of a Latin cross, has one belfry and an elegant dome that can be seen from all around the village. The church is built on a Tuscan style from the outside and Doric on the inside. The statue used in the village feast celebrated on the 2nd week of July, is carved in wood by Salvatore Dimech (is-sarc) and shows our lady and Gabriel the Archangel. The parish also celebrates the feast of St. Valentine, which gave the name to the village radio station, Radio Valentine, which closed down officially in 2006.

As with Attard and Lija, Balzan is a sought after location and popular with the middle and upper middle classes. Its residents' political affiliation is predominantly that of the Nationalist Party (PN), a centre-right political party currently in government. Lately its population has increased due to large-scale development taking place, largely in the form of apartment blocks replacing villas and their gardens. However, this is mainly occurring on the outskirts of the village, and not the historic centre. Due to the fact that the majority of Balzan is an Urban Conservation Area, most of its unique character will remain for years to come.

[edit] Balzan Community Service

Balzan Parish Church Office, Triq Idmejda (Idmejda Road)
Balzan Local Council, Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
Balzan Police Station, Pjazza Bertu Fenech (Robert Fenech Square)
Balzan Health Centre, Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
Balzan Branch Post Office, Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
Balzan Malta Labour Party Club, Triq it-Tliet Knejjes (Three Churches Street)
Balzan Nationalist Party Club, Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)

[edit] Band Clubs

Mary the Annunciation Philarmonic Society (Is-Soċjetà Filarmonika Marija Annunzjata)

St. Gabriel Band Club (L-Għaqda Mużikali San Gabriel)

[edit] Balzan Main Roads

Triq Wied Ħal-Balzan (Balzan Valley Road)
Triq Cauchi (Cauchi Street)
Triq Micallef (Micallef Street)
Triq L`isqof Giovanni Balaguer (Balaguer Street)
Triq Ġużè Bonnici
Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
Triq L-Imdina (Mdina Road)
Pjazza B.Fenech (B.Fenech Square)
Triq Birbal (Birbal Street)
Triq il-Ferrovija l-Qadima (Old Railway Road)
Triq il-Kannizata
Vjal De Paule (De Paule Avenue)

[edit] Interesting Places at Balzan

Church of the Annunciation (B. Fenech Square / Main Street)
Good Shepherd Convent (Triq l-Imejda)
Stella Maris College (Main Street)
St. Francis Convent (St. Francis Street)
Wignacourt Aqueduct (Mdina Road)
The Three Churches (Three Churches Street)
Malta Hospice Movement
Fra Giuseppe Zammit Summer Residence (Behind Church)

[edit] Old Village Core

Pjazza Bertu Fenech (Robert Fenech Square)
Trejqa l-Papa Alessandru VII (Pope Alexander VII Path)
Triq Ġużè Bonnici (G. Bonnici Street)
Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
Triq il-Knisja (Church Street)
Triq it-Tliet Knejjes (Three Churches Street)
Triq l-Annunzjata (Annunciation Street)
Triq l-Idmejda (Dmejda Street)
Triq San Rokku (St. Roque's Street)
Triq Sisner (Sisner Street)

[edit] Zones in Balzan

[edit] See also

Balzan M.U.S.E.U.M. Branch

[edit] External links

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