| Għaxaq (Il-Kunsill Lokali ta' Ħal Għaxaq) |
Coat of arms
|
| Motto: Laeta Sustineo
|
| Official name: | Ħal Għaxaq |
| Inhabitants: | Għaxqi (m), Għaxqija (f), Għaxqin (pl) |
| Other names: | Casal Axiaq (code: GXQ) |
|
| Coordinates: | 35°50′54″N 14°31′2″E / 35.84833°N 14.51722°E / 35.84833; 14.51722Coordinates: 35°50′54″N 14°31′2″E / 35.84833°N 14.51722°E / 35.84833; 14.51722 |
| Area: | 3.9km² |
| Population total: | 4,405 (Nov 2005) |
| Population density: | 1,144/km² |
| Borders: | Birżebbuġa, Gudja, Luqa, Marsaxlokk, Santa Luċija, Tarxien, Żejtun, Żurrieq |
| Mayor: | Emanuel Vassallo (PL) |
| Website: | kunsillghaxaq.com |
Għaxaq (English: Ashiak)[1] is a village in the south of Malta, with a population of 4,388 people (Nov 2005). It is mainly a residential area.
[edit] Origin of the name
The village's name may be derived from the Maltese word meaning delight, or it may be related to the family named Axiaq which had feudal lands in the area.[2]
[edit] St.Mary Parish Church, Feasts, and other Events
The Parish Church is a wonderful Baroque monument situated at St. Mary's Square, which is also the village's main square.It is dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady and dates back to the 17th Century.The Holy Family seeks a great devotion in this village and one can point out that Ghaxaq is the only village in Malta that has the Titular and the main Secondary feast dedicated to the saints of the Holy Family(St.Mary and St.Joseph).
The Religious Feasts Celebrated in this village throughout the year are;
-Easter(with a procession on Palm Sunday,evening)-* -Christmas
- St.Joseph(celebrated on the 4th Sunday of May)-* *
-Corpus Christi(2nd Sunday of June)-
- St.Mary(celebrated on the 15th of August)-* *
-Our Lady of the Rosary(2nd Sunday of October)-*
- The two main feasts are popular for the Street Decorations, Fireworks, Band Marches and their respective Band Clubs among others and help in keeping the village among the top of the Maltese Traditional Feasts!
Carnival
Another yearly event which is increasing in its popularity is the spontaneous Carnival celebrations held in February.
[edit] Zones in Għaxaq
- Bir id-Deheb (Well of Gold)
- Ħas-Saptan (Saptan Town)
- Il-Miksur (The Broken)
- Tal-Barrani (Foreigner's Village)
- Tal-Ġebel (Rocks' Village)
- Tal-Millieri
- Tal-Qattus (Cat's Village)
- Tal-Wilġa (Open Field's Village)
[edit] Għaxaq main roads
- Dawret Ħal-Għaxaq (Għaxaq By-Pass)
- Triq G.M. Farrugia (G.M. Farrugia Street)
- Triq il-Belt Valletta (Valletta Road)
- Triq il-Ġistakor (Tail-Coat Street)
- Triq il-Garakol (Garakol Street)
- Triq il-Gudja (Gudja Road)
- Triq il-Milwa (Skein Street)
- Triq iż-Żejtun (Zejtun Road)
- Triq San Filippu (St. Philip Street)
- Pjazza San Filippu (St. Philip Square)
- Triq Santa Marija (St. Mary Street)
- Vjal il-Labour (Labour Avenue)
- Triq it-Tgezwira
- Triq Ganmari Dalli
- Pjazza Santu Rokku (St. Rocco Square)
- Triq San Pawl (St. Paul Street)
- Triq il-Knisja (church's street)
- Triq Marjanu Gerada
[edit] Interesting places in Għaxaq
- Sea Shelled House-"A Unique House in Malta decorated with Sea Shells" (St. Mary Street-after the church)
- St. Philip's Chapel (at St. Philip Square)
- St. Lucy's Chapel (at the Outskirts of the village)
- Christ the Redeemer Chapel(at the outskirts of the village)
- Together with the Parish Church and the two masterpieces, the Band Clubs(as mentioned above)
[edit] Għaxaq Local Council
The current Għaxaq local council members are:
- Emmanuel (k/a Leli) Vassallo (Mayor - PL)
- Abdilla Joe (vice-mayor, PL)
- Agius Rose (PN)
- Ġulin Attard (PL)
- Alan Picco (PL)
[edit] References
[edit] External links
