Attard

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Attard (or Ħ'Attard) is a village located near the centre of the island of Malta, with a population of around 10,000. Together with Balzan and Lija, it forms what is known as "The Three Villages". Attard became a parish in 1499. Notable places of interest include San Anton Palace and botanical gardens, the national stadium, national park and "Crafts Village" at Ta' Qali. Attard is the birthplace of the architect Tumas Dingli, who is best known for his work on Wignacourt's aqueduct, the "Porta Reale" entrance into Valletta, and several churches, of which only the Attard parish church, with its impressive facade, remains unaltered.

Attard is traditionally known for its flower gardens and citrus orchards, earning it the motto "Florigera rosis halo" in Latin; "I perfume the air with my blossoms" in English.

As a municipality with its own local government structure since 1994, Attard covers a surface area of about seven square kilometres. It comprises to its north, on the Mdina and Mosta side, the flat expanse known as Ta' Qali; and below it, in the direction of the village core, the area known as Ta' l-Idward joining with Misrah Kola, across from the valleys of Wied San Martin, Wied Incita and Wied Irmiedi, on the Zebbug side. Down to its west, close to Wied is-Sewda on the Qormi side, is an older part known as Tax-Xarolla and as Taht ir-Rahal; while to its East, up to Tal-Mirakli chapel on the Lija side, is the relatively large zone called Ta' Fgieni, which borders on the village core with its seventeenth century parish church. South of this is the Sant'Anton quarter, deriving its name from the historic palace and botanic gardens of Sant'Antonio, which have long been a symbol of Attard.

1 Attard Anthem
2 Lifestyle
3 Notable Residences
4 Agriculture
5 Sant' Anton Gardens
6 Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA)
7 Transport
8 External links
9 References

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Attard Anthem

Listen to the anthem

Ġonna li jfewħu biż-żahar tal-larin,

djar fl-isqaqien dellija,

ġawhra ta' tempju, dehra ta' ġmiel,

il-kenn ta' Omm għal dawk li bkew.

Dak li writna tul is-snin

ngħaddu 'l ta' warajna,

xhieda ħajja tal-ġrajjiet

li taw l-ogħla ġieh lil Artna.

Bnadar iperpru ma' l-arbli għoljin,

twieqi għad-dawl miftuħa,

qniepen ferrieħa, kant taż-żerniq,

u l-ħolm sabiħ taż-żmien li ġej.

Dak li writna ...

TRANSLATION:

"Gardens that are perfumed with orange blossoms,

houses in the shade of streets,

a gem like a temple, a beautiful sight,

a mother's refuge for those who wept.

What we have inherited throughout the ages,

we pass on to our children,

as witnesses of times passed,

we tell of those things that made our Land proud.

Flags flying on tall masts,

windows open to the light,

joyous bells, the song of dawn,

and beautiful dreams of days to come.

What we have inherited...."

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Lifestyle

During the 1980's, Attard experienced a boost in development. Most modern houses were constructed post-1980 but towards the village center, close to St. Mary's church, one will encounter quite a number of converted farmhouses, recognizable through their wooden doors and flat, rustic roofs.

Image:Attarda.jpg

Attard's close proximity to Mdina (the ancient capital) as well as its relatively quiet environment have made it a highly desirable residential location and is considered to be an exclusive area home to many wealthy residents. In fact, property prices in recent years have followed an upward trend. The village is a welcomed relief from the hustle and bustle of locations closer to the sea. Despite this, demand for housing keeps increasing.

Image:Attardc.jpg

The village is also abundant with many public gardens which are well maintained.

Attard has also seen an increase in entertainment locales and commercial outlets in recent years. Along Triq il-Pitkalija (Pitkalija Road), one will find a number of retail stores and furniture showrooms. Known traditionally as the "M4 Complex," close to the Church there is a business district comprising a large supermaket, a pharmacy, a toystore, a plant store, a fishmarket and further down, a newly renovated Bank of Valletta branch. The "Santa Lucia Cafeteria" is one of the most famous on the islands, serving exquisite sweets and pastries. It too is located within walking distance of St. Mary's Parish Church.

Of particular interest to tourists and residents alike is the Pizza, Pasta e Basta open air restaurant which is part of the Corinthia Hotel and open to the public. The village center is almost always bustling with activity especially on Sundays when residents of Attard (known in Maltese as Saraċeni) mingle with fellow churchgoers and proceed to nearby cafeterias for a pastizz and a cold kinnie.

Attard is also the location of St. Catherine Nursing Home, one of the largest in the Maltese Islands.

Anyone visiting Attard during summer months and during the World Cup season cannot miss one of the open air showings (on a projected screen) of the latest soccer match. English and Italian flags waved in the air by supporters will be particularly prominent.

There are two political party clubs located in Attard: One for the Partit Nazzjonalista and the other for the Malta Labour Party. Both clubs are popular hangouts throughout the year for both young and old, and are especially busy during election time.

The Attard Primary School serves as a polling station during elections. Like all other localities in Malta, Attard Local Council elections are held every four years.

St.Mary is the patron saint of Attard. The feast is celebrated on the 15th of August every year. The 15th August is a national holiday on the Maltese islands. The parish priest is Fr. Dione Cutajar.

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Notable Residences

The President's official residence is situated in Ħ'Attard.

The American Ambassador accredited to the Republic of Malta resides in Attard. The residence, a large luxurious villa, is located along Triq il-Linja. The Tunisian Ambassador also resides in Attard.

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Agriculture

The only fresh water spring in Attard which, before buildings gradually took over from the land, used to serve the fertile fields around it. Much of the occupational activity in and around Attard was taken up by farming, sowing and the harvest of different crops. There would have been goatherds and flocks of sheep, horses, mules, asses and also some cattle. The main crops grown were vegetables of all kinds, potatoes, tomatoes, water melons; many vines and olive trees along with several large citrus orchards - oranges, lemons and tangerines, especially in the gardens of private mansions.

Image:Attardb.jpg

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Sant' Anton Gardens

Sant'Anton is not only rich in artistic and historical legacies, but as a magnet for hosting, entertainment and celebrations, even as a job-provider and an apprenticeship for Attard residents. This palace has greeted royalty too numerous to list - from Queen Marie of Romania to the Russian Empress Marie Feodorovna, from King Edward VII to Queen Elizabeth II in this century alone; it has seen the most distinguished visitors in contrasting personal situations - Napoleon's younger brother Louis Bonaparte as a prisoner, the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge as an admiring recluse.

Governor Borton opened its botanic gardens to the public in 1882 for picnics and strolls. Its shaded open courtyards today may ring with the classical music of an occasional chamber orchestra or string quintet, but the gardens regularly host extremely popular shows, fairs and competitions, from plants to flowers, to pet cats and dogs, to birds, chickens and rabbits. Every summer a dramatic company puts up the Shakespeare Festival.

During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting hosted by Malta in November 2005, the President's Palace in Attard served as a residence for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

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Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA)

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has its headquarters in Attard. The MFSA has taken over those supervisory functions that were previously conducted by the Central Bank of Malta, the Malta Stock Exchange and the Malta Financial Services Centre and is now an important regulator for financial services. The sector incorporates all financial activity especially investment, banking and insurance.

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