Ħal Balzan

A Brief History

A Brief History

Councillors

Councillors

Services

Services

Locality

Locality

3D Tours

3D Tours

A Brief History

The first dwellings
The earliest records of dwellings in Balzan date back to 1419-20. In the Militia List of the same date, Balzan is reported to have had around twenty dwellers residing within its boundaries.Census reports dating back to 1575 show that there were a total of 60 dwellings in Balzan at the time, where approximately 500 people lived. These dwellings included townhouses of the wealthy as well as farms. . Up to a few years ago old farmhouses such as those known as Ta’ Sajrunies and tad- Dingejruti were still standing in Quarry Lane.
A Fluctuating Population
In 1646 the number of households had increased to 140, however the population had only increased by less than a hundred people amounting to 584. Up to that date, Balzan was part of the neighbouring village of Birkirkara. When Balzan became an independent village with its own parish church, in 1655, the number of households increased to 1,400. Nevertheless in spite of the increase in houses, the population decreased; to 530. The fluctuating population still goes on today as it did throughout the history of the village: During the war Balzan’s population increased drastically, when people from the Cottonera area came to seek refuge in the quiet village of Balzan. In fact they liked it so much that many of them stayed and never returned!
The Origin of “Balzan”
In Malta, many village names are identical to certain family names, as in Attard and Lija. It is believed by some, therefore, that the village inherited its name from a Sicilian family whose family name was Balzan (or Balzano). Other historians claim that ‘balzan’ refers to a Sicilian tax collector that could have come to Malta to collect taxes for his Sicilian feudal master. This tax collector could have resided in Balzan thus giving the village its present name.
Timeline
Early 15th Century First dwellers arrive in Balzan
1st February 1575 Balzan residents present a petition to Mons. Duzina, appealing to have their village become a separate parish.
 14th August 1655 Balzan becomes a separate parish. On that day, Bishop Balaguer gives permission for the building of a new parish church in Balzan. The first parish priest was Fr.Adriano Zarb.
26th December 1669 The foundation stone of the new parish church is laid, by Parish Priest Dominic Ellul.
23rd January 1695 Bishop Cocco Palmieri blesses the completed church, and in 1781 Bishop Labini consecrated it.
1868 The church is given its titular statue, of the Annunciation of Our Lady, completed by Master Salvu Dimech.
1890 The Annunciation Philharmonic Society is formed.
22nd October 1903 6 people die among 42 injured in an explosion while fireworks were being made in the old premises of the Annunciation Philharmonic Society
1920 St. Gabriel Band Club is established.
3rd May 1954 Queen Elizabeth II visits Balzan.
1965 Village feast starts being held in summer instead of its actual day due to harsh weather conditions which had often spoilt external festivities held in March.
1923 MUSEUM is founded in Balzan.
1940 After the Supreme Courts were hit in an air bombing attack, the courts are transferred from Valletta to Balzan. Hearings took place in the building which today houses Balzan Local Council, among other government offices.
1940-1943 During the second world war Balzan housed many refugees coming from Valletta and the Cottonera area. Refugees flooded in with nothing but a few clothes on a horse-driven cart pleading Balzan residents to show mercy and take them into their dwellings. The population doubled in size!
1948 Balzan Parish Church receives its big bell. Many residents gathered to see it being hauled up into the belfry.
1965 Prime Minister G. Borg Olivier visits Balzan on the occasion of the 75th anniversary since the foundation of the Annunciation Philharmonic Society.
1993 The first local council is formed.
16th October 1994 Balzan Youth Centre is founded.

Your Local Councillors

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Christopher_Deguara Mayor Naxxar Local Council
Joseph_Spiteri Vice Mayor Naxxar Local Council
Marlon_Brincat Minority Leader at Naxxar Local Council

Dr. Angelo Micallef

Edward Grech

Dr. Oliver Nicholas De Gaetano

Mayor
Vice Mayor
Minority Leader
Christopher_Deguara Mayor Naxxar Local Council
Joseph_Spiteri Vice Mayor Naxxar Local Council

Annalise Galea

Councillor

Mary Louise Briffa

Councillor

Your Local Councillors

Tap on an image to view responsibilities

Christopher_Deguara Mayor Naxxar Local Council

Mayor

Dr. Angelo Micallef
Joseph_Spiteri Vice Mayor Naxxar Local Council

Vice Mayor

Edward Grech
Marlon_Brincat Minority Leader at Naxxar Local Council

Minority Leader

Dr. Oliver Nicholas De Gaetano

Councillors

Mary_Anne_Cuomo Councillor Naxxar Local Council
Mark_Deguara Councillor Naxxar Local Council

Annalise Galea

Mary Louise Briffa

Executive Secretary

Doriette Farrugia

Council Services

Collection of Domestic Refuse

Please click on the button below to view the collection schedule for domestic refuse.

The days of the week when to take out the Black, Grey and Organic bags, ready for collection.

Bulk Refuse Collection

For bulk refuse collection, please click the ‘request’ link below.

Simply fill in all relevant details and submit the request. We will contact you with collection date.

Collection of Recyclable Refuse

Full details for collection days are included in the same schedule as domestic refuse.

For the schedule of glass waste collection, please click the link below.

Street Sweeping

By using either a mechanical or a person street sweeper, we are ensuring the up-to-date tidiness of our streets.

Click on the button below, should you see that an area has been overlooked

Apply for a Permit

Issuing of permits for machinery, material, tables & chairs, kiosks and occasional entertainment, LESA, LAS, and LEMIS

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Schedule
Request
Schedule
inFORMana
Permits

Public LIbrary

Address

7/9 Triq Dun Spir Sammut

Ħal Balzan

Opening Hours

Winter

Monday to Friday

08.00 till 11.30

13.30 till 15.30

Saturday – 08.00 till 11.30

Summer

Monday to Saturday – 08.00 till 11.30

Other

Council Services

(tap the icon for details)

Collection of Domestic Refuse

Please tap on the icon above to view the collection schedule for domestic refuse.

The days of the week when to take out the black, grey and organic bags, ready for collection.

Collection of Bulky Refuse

For bulk refuse collection, please tap the icon above.

Simply fill in all relevant details and submit the request. We will contact you with collection date.

Collection of Recyclable Refuse

Full details for collection days are included in the same schedule as domestic refuse.

For the schedule of glass waste collection, please tap the icon above.

Street Sweeping

By using either a mechanical or a person street sweeper, we are ensuring the up-to-date tidiness of our streets.

Click on the icon above, should you see that an area has been overlooked.

Apply for a Permit

Issuing of permits for machinery, material, tables & chairs, kiosks and occasional entertainment, LESA, LAS, and LEMIS

Tap on the icon above to get started.

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