Wardija Explained

Wardija
Native Name:Il-Wardija
Native Name Lang:mt
Settlement Type:Hamlet in St. Paul's Bay
Coordinates:35.938°N 14.3925°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Malta
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Type2:District
Parts Type:Borders
Parts Style:para
Leader Title:Mayor
Unit Pref:Metric
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:CET
Utc Offset1:+1
Timezone1 Dst:CEST
Utc Offset1 Dst:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:SPB
Area Code Type:Dialing code
Iso Code:MT

Wardija is a hamlet in St. Paul's Bay, Malta,[1] about 363 feet above sea level.[2] Its name is corrupted from the Sicilian or Italian word, meaning 'to watch').[2] [3] Although the name of the hamlet has Arabic lexicons, it was probably named later when Maltese, then an Arabic dialect, remained a dominant language.[4] The hamlet is bordered by Bidnija, Buġibba, San Martin and Pwales.[2] Several archeological remains found around the vicinity prove that it was inhabited in pre-history and the Roman period,[5] and it has always been mainly a rural village. From the 16th till the 18th centuries it saw a shift to a hunting zone with the construction of several hunting lodges and chapels.

A number of knights and noble families built their country residences, originally to be used for hunting and retreats. A number of 19th and 20th century structures were also erected in the area. Some houses are still owned by the descendants of the original builders, while others are now used for multiple purposes such as private homes, commercial accommodation, for holding events and weddings receptions. There are two schools, one for local students and one for foreign students.

There are a number of public and private chapels dating from the rule of the Order of St. John till the 20th century.[6] Some houses have buttressed walls, possibly for defense purposes or general support, while other have defense features exclusively for decorative intent. A World War I battery was constructed in the vicinity of Wardija, and its gun emplacements are still on site.[7] A rental complex, known as the Wardija Hilltop Village, and the Headquarters of the Ecumenical Order, known as Castello Dei Baroni, are located at the inner part of Wardija.[8]

Wardija consist of a low and high land, its hill is a plateau, and Qannotta Valley is located within its boundaries.[9] Rain water in Wardija is vital for agriculture, as a primary source of production, while it also flows into areas around such as to the now defunct Xemxija Aqueduct.[10] Some lands in Wardija enjoy a conservation status from the Environment and Resources Authority, while there are also pre-historic cart-ruts enjoying conservation from the Planning Authority.

Buildings

Notable residences

There are three Roman period villas at Wardija, all of which are in ruins.[11]

Wardija has a concentration of historic country residences.[12] [13]

Churches and chapels

Wardija has a large concentration of churches and chapels.[12] [13]

Other buildings and structures

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Call to protect small rural hamlets. Times of Malta. 3 October 2003.
  2. Book: Aquilina, Guzè. 1976. Maltese Linguistic Surveys. Malta University Press. 120.
  3. Il-Malti. 1957. Studji Filologici. mt. 50.
  4. Web site: page 377. Melitensiawth.com. 6 August 2018.
  5. Book: Sagona, Claudia. 2015. The Archaeology of Malta. Cambridge University Press. 309. 9781107006690.
  6. Web site: Scerri. John. San Pawl. malta-canada.com. 13 April 2017.
  7. News: Debono. Charles. The western, eastern, Italian fronts in the latter half of 1915. Times of Malta. 19 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151114203300/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150719/life-features/the-western-eastern-italian-fronts-in-the-latter-half-of-1915.577427. 14 November 2015.
  8. Book: Dijkhof. Hans J. Hoegen. Dijkhof. Hendrik Johannes Hoegen. 2006. The Legitimacy of Orders of St. John: A Historical and Legal Analysis and Case Study of a Para-religious Phenomenon. Hoegen Dijkhof Advocaten. 24, 231, 457. 9789065509543.
  9. Web site: The Malta Government Gazette. 29 October 2013. Gov.mt. 6 August 2018.
  10. Web site: Het Wignacourt-aquaduct. 2005–2012. Malta Pagina. Netherlands. nl. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304193009/http://maltapagina.nl/wignacourt.html. 4 March 2016.
  11. Web site: Journal. 76. Melitensiawth.com. 6 August 2018.
  12. Book: Dillon, Paddy. 2016. Walking on Malta. Cicerone Press Limited. 109–113. 9781783622917.
  13. Web site: Scerri. John. San Pawl. malta-canada.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20100226041016/http://www.malta-canada.com/churches-chapels/San-Pawl.htm. 26 February 2010.
  14. Web site: S2329: House of Character in Wardija for Sale in Malta. 1 April 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120401161326/http://www.maltahomes.net/property-details/ref-S2329/House-of-Character/Wardija/?. 6 August 2018. 2012-04-01.
  15. Web site: Vacation Homes & Condo Rentals - Airbnb. Airbnb. 6 August 2018.
  16. Web site: Semi-Detached Villa in Wardija To Let ref 16109 - Chestertons Malta. 11 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170411225752/http://www.chestertons.com.mt/search/property-details/16109/semi-detached-villa-in-wardija-to-let-4-bedrooms. 6 August 2018. 2017-04-11.
  17. Web site: Statue's 90th Anniversary. Independent.com.mt. 6 August 2018.
  18. Web site: MaltaToday previous editions - MALTATODAY 28 April 2019.
  19. Web site: €13 million Wardija villa court auction over Swiss loan call-in.
  20. Web site: Second World War Malta: The Advance Dressing Station in Wardija, 1942 – RAMC - The Malta Independent . 2023-04-23 . www.independent.com.mt.
  21. Book: Piro, Nicholas De. Valletta: A City Built by Gentlemen for Gentlemen. 6 August 1997. Miranda Publications. 9789990985009. 6 August 2018. Google Books.
  22. Web site: What they ate : food and foodways in Mdina and beyond From Roman times to the Middle Ages. PDF. George Cassar. Malta. 2015. Um.edu.mt. 6 August 2018.
  23. Web site: Wardija Property for Sale/To Let: 3 Bedroom property - Malta Property.com. 11 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170411230700/http://www.maltaproperty.com/en/longlet/webshop/1021/wardija-property-for-saleto-let-3-bedroom.htm. 6 August 2018. 2017-04-11.
  24. Web site: A hidden gem in Wardija. Timesofmalta.com. 5 July 2015 . 6 August 2018.

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