Ghaxaq:
| Għaxaq
(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) |
|
| Latitude: |
35°50 '54" N |
| Longitude: |
14°31 '2" E |
| Area: |
3.9km² |
| Population total: |
4,405 (Nov 2005) |
| Population density: |
1,144/km² |
| Borders: |
Birżebbuġa, Gudja, Luqa, Marsaxlokk, Santa Luċija, Tarxien, Żejtun, Żurrieq |
| Patron saint: |
Assumption of Mary; |
| Day of festa: |
15th August (Assumption of Mary); 1st Sunday of June (St. Joseph) |
| Mayor: |
Emanuel Vassallo (MLP) |
| 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] Parish, feasts and band clubs
The Parish Church situated at St. Mary's Square which is also the village's main square, is dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady and dates back to the 17th Century.
The Titular or Main Feast is celebrated to the full on August 15th, which is also a Public Holiday for the whole nation. It is celebrated with great devotion and joy for the Patroness of the Village; Our Lady in her Assumption to heaven. The Indoor celebrations which take place in the Parish Church are organised by the Archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament together with the Parish Clergy while the outdoor celebrations which are held annualy throughout the 3 weeks of the feast are organised by the St. Mary's Band Club (or, L-Għaqda Mużikali Santa Marija). This Band Club, situated at St. Mary's Square, know its roots to the year 1808 when the Statue depicting the Assumption to heaven of Our Lady, carved in wood by Mariano Gerada was made(one can found it in the Parish Chuch) and for that event, big celebrations were held. From that year, supporters of the feast kept meeting until in the year 1873 the official set up of the Feast Committee was done, under the name of "Circolo la Stella". After the second world war the Band Club's name was changes to "St. Mary's Band Club". Nowadays, the Band Club holds a Magnificent Building, renowned for its detailed designs in a baroque style with two artistic Facades. The Club also welcomes many of the feast supporters, who meet and work for the village's main feast, celebrated annually from July 30 to August 17. Spectacular Fireworks made by the feast Supporters in St. Mary's Fireworks Factory also take place through the feast and a Fireworks Show named "The Convoy" also takes place on the 14th August.
From the middle of May till the first Sunday of June (the Feast's Day), the St. Joseph Band Club (L-Ghaqda Muzikali San Guzepp) together with the Holy Confraternity of the Saint celebrate the Famous Feast of St. Joseph with great joy and devotion to the Patron Saint of the Universal Catholic Church & Husband of Our Lady, the Mother of Christ. St. Joseph's Band Club-"Il-Meravilja" is a Beautiful Monument built in Ghaxaq with a Unique Dome inaugurated on the 28th May 2000 by H.E. the President of Malta Dr. Guido Demarco. This Band Club is located besides the vestibule of the Parish Church.
Other Secondary Feasts which are celebrated at the Parish church and Processions take place are the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Easter and Christmas.
[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
- 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] References
[edit] External links
Coordinates: 35°50′54″N 14°31′2″E / 35.84833, 14.51722
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