Mqabba Local Council
Latitude: 35°50 '39" N
Longitude: 14°28 '1" E
Area: 2.6km²
Population total: 3,021 (Nov 2005)
Population density: 1,161/km²
Borders: Kirkop, Luqa, Qrendi, Siġġiewi, Żurrieq
Patron saint: Assumption of Mary
Mayor: Emanuel Galea (PN)
Website: mqabba.gov.mt
Mqabba or Imqabba (English: Micabba)[1][2] is a small village in the south of Malta, with a population of 3,021 inhabitants (Nov 2005).
Amongst other important structures, one can find Vincenti Tower, and various chapels such as the Chapel of St. Basil, Our Lady of Sorrows, St. John and St.Catherine of Alexendria.
The main church is dedicated to Assumption of Our Lady. Santa Marija feast in celebrated on the 15th of August. Other feasts celebrated - the feast of Our Lady of Lilies (Madonna tal-Gilju) celebrated the week ending in the third Sunday of June, The feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrated the nearest Sunday for 8 December - Please Note that the latter two are organized by the Socjeta Muzikali Madonna tal-Gilju, and are of the same title, with the same statue - That of the Madonna tal-Gilju!! Other tertiary feasts include Our Lady of Sorrows, Corpus Domini and Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.
The titular statue found in the church, that of the Assumption of the blessed Mother of God, was executed by Alessandro Farrugia in 1836 and was made similar to the statue of the Assumption which is found in Ghaxaq, made out of wood. The photograph shows the statue in its original form, as it was prior to 1928, when a new sarcophagus made of silver replaced the original wooden one seen in the picture. Apart from the sarcophagus, the statue itself has lost none of its characteristics.
The wood statue of the patroness of the village
The Assumption of Mary is celebrated on 15 August, and is also celebrated in Qrendi, Gudja, Ghaxaq, Mosta, Attard and Victoria (Gozo). It is all celebrated in the same day, as a tradition.
As you enter in Mqabba and get your way to the village square, you Must see the Majestic Facade - recently restored by its damages that dominates the "Pjazza".
During the last one and a half year the Mqabba Our Lady of Lilies Musical Society Club Façade was completely covered due to intensive restoration project starting off in September 2006.
Sunday June 1, 2008, was the day of the restoration and illumination inauguration of the Façade. The Ceremony, starting off at 7:30 pm was under the Patronage of Martin Galea, Executive President of ‘Din L-Art Helwa’. The Banda Madonna tal-Gilju executed a musical programme in the village square before of an audience of 800 souls accommodated along Karmenu Ciantar Street.
The wood statue of the patroness of the village
The Assumption of Mary is celebrated on 15 August, and is also celebrated in Qrendi, Gudja, Ghaxaq, Mosta, Attard and Victoria (Gozo). It is all celebrated in the same day, as a tradition.
As you enter in Mqabba and get your way to the village square, you Must see the Majestic Facade - recently restored by its damages that dominates the "Pjazza".
During the last one and a half year the Mqabba Our Lady of Lilies Musical Society Club Façade was completely covered due to intensive restoration project starting off in September 2006.
Sunday June 1, 2008, was the day of the restoration and illumination inauguration of the Façade. The Ceremony, starting off at 7:30 pm was under the Patronage of Martin Galea, Executive President of ‘Din L-Art Helwa’. The Banda Madonna tal-Gilju executed a musical programme in the village square before of an audience of 800 souls accommodated along Karmenu Ciantar Street.
After a speech by Tonio Facciol, project manager, the Façade began slowly being uncovered. The jubilant audience could admire the fine restoration works carried out with great ability by Society’s members on this Façade made of Mqabba stone. The words ‘Soc. Muz. Madonna tal-Gilju’ have been carved on the three doors of the first storey so that the Society’s name will show forever. Seven solid mahogany doors replaced the aluminium ones while the three entrance doors were renovated.
The Banda Madonna tal-Gilju(who are they?) continued with the musical part of the soiree’ executing several pieces by famous composers. The second part of the ceremony was entirely dedicated to the inauguration of lighting system for the artistic Façade. This was anticipated by a three-dimensional fireworks display prepared by Lily Fireworks MerlinFire Malta.
The display started in the fireworks field at the village outskirts, continuing along Karmenu Ciantar Street, reaching a climax on top of the highest part of the building.
The Baroque Façade is a post-war work, completed in 1948 by locals under the leadership of Baskal Xuereb. Consisting of three stories, each of which adorned with hand carved sculpture, the Façade comprises three different architectural orders, namely Ionic, Doric and Corinthian. These are separately featured in the three storeys. On the right hand side, there are three bas-reliefs symbolising Union, Courage and Physical Strength, while a stone lion emerge from the central part of the Façade. The most recent addition was done in 1986 with the artistic frontispiece featuring a dominant bust of Our Lady of Lilies, Club’s Patron.
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