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The Malta Islands

Situated in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, the Maltese islands are an independent Democratic Republic, a member of the European Union. The official language is English and the national language is Maltese. The main island, Malta, whose capital is Valletta, is about 27 km long and 15 km wide. The Mediterranean climate is mild and humid in Winter, and hot and dry in Summer.

The history of Malta is very rich and fascinating, and you will have plenty of time to discover it through the many Museums, Churches, Historical Sites, and sometimes even through the island's inhabitants who are always willing and proud to narrate it to you.

Malta is also a very popular island for students and young adults wishing to learn English, making it a dynamic, touristic and lively destination, especially in the North East.

Of course, we will be happy to help you plan your stay according to your expectations!

ZABBAR

The city is located in the south-eastern region of the main island and has a population density of over 15,000 inhabitants. It also bears the name Città Hompesch, in memory of the last Grand Master of the Order of the Knights of Malta, Ferdinand Von Hompesch.

The city was used as a camp by the Ottoman armies at the beginning of the Grand Siege of 1565. The last Grand Master of Malta, Ferdinand von Hompesch, in whose name the population built a triumphal arch on the main road from Paola to Fgura. From that day, Zabbar became a city.

During the Maltese uprising against the French between 1798 and 1800, the city was used as a base by Maltese insurgents. A memorable battle on 5th October 1798 took place in front of the Sanctuary of Żabbar.

 Nowadays, one of the cannonballs from the French period can still be seen on a house facade in one of the oldest parts of the city, and others are also on display in the church museum after being recovered from the old church dome.

It should be noted that the city of Zabbar is a very fervent Catholic community, especially to Our Lady of Graces, to whom the city's Sanctuary is dedicated. A large number of paintings and other objects can be found in the Sanctuary Museum, most of which have "VFGA" in one way or another imprinted on them. This is the Latin abbreviation for Votum Fecit, Gratiam Accipit, which means that a grace was requested and granted due to the intercession of the Madonna tal-Grazzja (Our Lady of Graces). The paintings are on marine subjects and give great detail on the ships of the time of the Knights of Malta..

The Sanctuary

The construction of the Church of Our Lady of Graces was begun in 1641 and was completed around 1718, according to the plaque commemorating the Consecration. According to Maltese doctrine, which says that a church is never finished, and thanks to the private funds of the parish priest Andrea Buhagiar and the donations of the town's inhabitants, the embellishment of the church was started in 1738. The Maltese architect Giovanni Bonavia redesigned the façade and two bell towers were erected; in addition, the church was paved in marble and provided with a crypt. The main painting of the Madonna with Child is a work by the painter Alessio Erardi.

Festivities

The 8th of September is the date that brings together the greatest victories in the history of Malta :

• the religious feast of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary Santa Maria;
• in remembrance of the victories in the Sieges of Malta of 1565, 1800 and 1943;
• the celebration of the convoy of Santa Maria, considered as a miracle because it was a British operation to carry supplies to the island of Malta in 1942. This was the only ship spared.

Each Maltese village in turn organises celebrations in honour of their beloved Saints. Zabbar, is the only city in Malta to organise 15 consecutive days of festivities and celebrations every year, from the 1st to 15th September!

On the first Sunday after the 8th September, the feast of Our Lady of Graces is celebrated. A pilgrimage on motorbikes and bicycles takes place, respectively, starting from Mosta and Rabat (cities located in the North Central part of Malta) and ending in Zabbar, in front of the Church Square in Sanctuary Street, under the "benevolence and protection" of Our Lady of Graces, patron saint of cyclists.

On the 3rd Sunday after the 8th of September, a solemn mass is held in honour  of the Archangel Saint Michael.  At the end of the day, a brass band plays in the city centre: the group accompanies the statue of Saint Michael the Archangel . The most sensational moment of this procession is when the statue of Saint Michael the Archangel which is carried by a group of inhabitants affiliated to the Green Clan, passes in front of the monumental statue of Our Lady of Graces.

A strong rivalry exists between the two Bands of this city, known locally as Società Filarmonica Maria Mater Gratiae (the Blue Clan and also known as Tal-Baqra) and the Ghaqda Madonna Tal-Grazzja Band named after San Mikiel (the Green Clan also known as Tal-Bajda).

A procession of Our Lady of the Rosary also takes place on the 7th October.

The first Sunday of Lent is celebrated and is called Hadd in-Nies. A pilgrimage is held accompanying the titular statue, with a different starting point each year,which is led by the Archbishop of Malta and ends at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces where a pontifical mass is celebrated. Among the celebrations of this feast are the classical musical concerts organised by the two local band clubs in the Notre Dame Hall.

Christmas and Easter are also very important. Picturesque festive celebrations are always in order.