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Naxxar (English: Naxaro)[1][2] is a village in the central north of Malta, with a population of about 11,947 people (Nov 2005). The Naxxar Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Victories. The feast is celebrated on September 8. Naxxar was formerly known for the Maltese International Trade Fair Grounds. The Naxxar Locality is spread over an area of eleven kilometres squared and has a population of over eleven thousand persons. The whole locality comprises the Naxxar centre, Sghajtar area, Santa Marija tax-Xaghra, San Pawl tat-Targa, Birguma, Maghtab, Salina, Baħar Iċ-Ċagħaq and part of Madliena. Naxxar is famous for its cart ruts (cart tracks) that curve and twist down the Great Fault escarpment. One of the best and puzzling cart ruts sites.[3] [edit] Origin of the villageIt is not easy to determine when Naxxar started to become a village. What is sure is that thousands of years ago, there already existed some form of habitation in Naxxar. This is evidenced by the caves at Tal-Qattara and at Ta’ San Brinkaw; megalith remains of the Bronze Age period at Tal-Qadi and at Qaliet Marku; the cart ruts which start at Salina up to it-Targa and appear later on near the Ghadira tal-Wej and which are probably of the Bronze Age; Punic tombs at the Naxxar Primary School and it is said also in St George Street and Leli Falzon Street; as well as the Catacombs at Salina and Maghtab. [edit] Origin of the nameAccording to tradition, the people of Naxxar were amongst the first to help the shipwrecked, including Saint Paul, when the ship he was on went aground on the rocks. For this reason many connect the name Naxxar with Nassar (Nasra) which means 'conversion to Christianity'. Others insist that the name comes from “Nsara” or “Nazaroei” which means 'those who believe in the teachings of Christ who came from Nazareth and thus “Nozri”'. Others say that the word Naxxar means 'one who saws, separates or cuts' – it might be worth mentioning that in Naxxar there are a lot of stone masons. Magri, in his book says that the word naxar comes from “nazar” which in Jewish means “chosen for him” or else “one who keeps to himself”. This is because in the vicinity the Arabs had formed a village that they called Hal Muselmiet, which means 'the village of the Muslims'. For this reason the Christians started another village – that of the Christians and so the name of Naxxar. [edit] MottoAlthough it has never been clearly explained from where the name Naxxar originated, it is a clear fact that there is a close tie with the tradition that the people of Naxxar were the first converts to Christianity. In fact the Parish of Naxxar was the first in the Maltese outskirts, after that of the Cathedral (Mdina) and that of Vittoriosa. This is borne out and further evidenced by the village motto – Prior Credidi – meaning the First To Believe. [edit] Naxxar cart ruts (cart tracks)A number of long and large cart ruts can be found at Naxxar. With the spectacular setting on top of the Great Fault line, giving a splendid view of the north of Malta, these are a must visit to anyone wanting to explore the mystery of the Malta cart ruts and who want a great view. The Naxxar (San Pawl tat-Targa) cart ruts certainly add to the puzzle of the Maltese cart ruts but may also be a good clue as to the purpose of the Malta cart tracks. [edit] The parish churchThe Naxxar Church was made a Parish by Bishop De Mello in 1436 and the villages of Mosta and Gharghur were subject to it. In fact Bishop De Mello had listed it as one of the ten parishes of Malta and it was the first parish dedicated to Our Lady after that of the old Cathedral. In 1575, the matrix of Naxxar had under its control a total of 36 churches – 14 in Naxxar, 5 in Gharghur, 12 in Mosta and 5 in the neighbourhood of these villages. The church, as we know it today, was built between 1616 and 1630 when there were 1200 inhabitants in Naxxar and it was felt that a larger church was needed. The design was made by the architect Tumas Dingli, one of the best architects of the time, whilst the Parish Priest was Father Gakbu Pace. The choir and the area around it was redesigned in 1691 on the design of Lorenzo Gafa', the same architect who had designed Mdina Cathedral. The Parish Church was solemnly consegrated by Bishop Alpheran on the 11th December 1732. [edit] Knisja tan-NaxxarThe church has a choir, two transepts and a nave and is 130 feet (40 m) long. The width of the transept is 94 feet (29 m) and the nave 30 feet (9.1 m). The large bell was made by the founder Toni Tanti in 1840 and cost £225. The façade of the church has two clocks, one showing the actual time whilst the other is a painting and shows the time as a quarter to eleven (11.45). The main painting shows the Birth of Our Lady which is attributed to the school of Mattia Preti (1613-1699) whilst at the side there are two paintings by Stefano Erardi (1650-1733) which show the Flight to Egypt and the Adoration of the Magi. Other paintings which show the Madonna and Child, St Cajetan, St Aloysius Gonzaga, Our Saviour and Our Lady of Sorrows are the work of the Maltese painter Frangisku Zahra (1680-1765). In the sacristy hangs the antique painting showing Our Lady of the Rosary which was painted on wood by Gio Maria Abela in 1595. [edit] Il-Festa tan-NaxxarThe main door, which is made of bronze, is dated 1913 and is the work of Pio Cellini. The door is made up of four main panels depicting the coat of arms of Our Lady, Patroness of Naxxar; the village coat of arms; the coat of arms of Pope St Pius X and the coat of arms of the family Zammit who were the benefactors of this door. In 1952 this door was dismantled, and renovated and cleaned by the blacksmith Mastru Lucens Agius. The expenses involved were once more paid for by the same family Zammit. The statue of the Vitorja, which feast is celebrated on the 8th September, was imported from Rome whilst the statues of the Good Friday Procession are the work of a Maltese craftsman. Naxxar was one of the first villages which had the statues of the Passion of Our Lord and in fact it is believed that the procession started being held just after 1750. On the 9th November 1787, the body of the martyr St Vittorio was brought from the cemetery of St Calepodio of Rome and is found in the altar in the choir. Some of the sculptures and façades were made by Angelo Quatromanni [edit] Chapels[edit] San Pawl tat-TargaIn the Naxxar area, there are various chapels, including the chapel of the Immaculate Conception which was built in the 18th Century; St Lucy’s chapel; the chapel of the Shipwreck of St. Paul situated at San Pawl tat-Targa; Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist; the chapel of St James the Apostle; Santa Maria tax-Xaghra; the Assumption of the Virgin in Maghtab which was built in the 18th Century; the Annunciation of the Virgin at Salina which was built in the 16th Century; the church of St. Michael the Archangel in Salina; that of St John the Evangelist and that of St Mary of the Angels in Bahar ic-Caghaq. [edit] FortificationsThe actual area where the village of Naxxar is built offers a natural shelter to its inhabitants. In fact, in early times the village was used to reconnoitre the movements of the enemy. Because this height has a plain which goes right down to the sea, we find that three forms of defence were built through the ages – those along the sea such as towers, trenches, batteries, redoubts and beachposts - as a physical resistance to those attempting to land from the sea; inland defences like pillboxes – to hinder the advance of the enemy if they were successful in landing; and the fortifications on high ground. [edit] Palazzo ParisioPalazzo Parisio was built by Marquis Giuseppe Scicluna. Before, this site was occupied by a summer residence by the Jesuit Community. After buying the property in 1898, Marquis Scicluna altered it into its present state, purchased more land at the back and converted it into a big garden. All this was done between 1898 and 1906. [edit] Zones in Naxxar
[edit] Naxxar Local CouncilThe current Naxxar local council members are:
[edit] Places of interest
[edit] Band Clubs
[edit] Naxxar Main Roads
[edit] References[edit] External links
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