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Marsaxlokk:
Marsaxlokk,
the harbour to the southeast, is now a small but pisturesque harbour
where the brightly coloured fishing boats ride at anchor and where
the wifes of the fishermen knot nylon string bags for the tourists.
But Marsaxlokk is also a microcosm of the historical past of the
Island. A short distance from this village is the archeological site
of Tas-Silg, still in the process of being excavated; at this place
are the remains of Late Neolithic megalithic buildings much
disturbed by superimposed Punic and Byzantine structures; here too
are the only remains of a mosque to be found on the Island. Norman
coins have also been found at Tas-Silg. To oppose the landing of
corsairs in that harbour a fort was erected at its entrance by the
Order, that of San Lucian; used as a munitions depot during the
World War II, it now houses the Marine Research Centre. Marsaxlokk
Bay, of which the fishing harbour of Marsaxlokk forms part, is now
being converted into a port for container ships.
Marsascala:
In
the year 1905 The population of Marsascala was 53. The population
today is in the region of 3,800. The Maltese name for this area is 'Wied
il-Ghajn'. This area had been forgotten by the Maltese, but not by
the foreigners. The reason or theory of why this was so, was that
the area was so accessible by sea, that successive conquering armies
came ashore here and set about taking the land, and slaves.
Marsascala was once a Roman Port. Roman remains lie scattered at
'tar-Rumi', where pre-Roman cart ruts have been noticed. Though the
area is partly ringed by tall white cliffs, the smooth inlets
offered easy access to 16th and 17th century invaders.
The defences of the area was late in coming and Vendome Battery
dates from about 1715. Vendome was a French Knight. Some of the
residents built their own towers, and fortified farmhouses are quite
frequent. Even after the area was finally fortified residents still
remained few and Sicilian fishermen were more familiar with the area
than the Maltese were.
The
name Marsascala confirms the Sicilian connection as apparently the
word 'marsa' means 'port' and 'sqalli' means 'Sicilian'
One
probable reason for the lack of settlements in the area was the fear
of pirates, who roamed the sea looking for treasure, and slaves. The
local population felt safer in the walled cities of Cottonera and
Valletta and also in the inland villages. Another reason may well
have had something to do with the geography. The well sheltered
harbour could not by itself discouraged people from settling here.
The
harbour extended into the Fawwara district until the 19th century,
which provided even more shelter. A spring is known to have existed
here and 'Wied il-Ghajn' means "watercourse by the
fountain" , but there is no trace of it today. The rugged
coastline around Marsascala is indeed a delight to see, but it has
been the site of several ship wrecks. The most recent one being of
the "Angel Gabriel" which was a Greek Tanker that split in
half on September 23rd 1969.
Anyway
whatever the reason, Marsascala remained a tiny fishing port until
the advent of the 2nd World War. The people living in Cottonera
started to build summer houses in Marsascala. Then later they
decided to become all year round residents, which has slowly
transformed the small sleepy fishing port of Marsascala into the
resort that it is today.
Marsascala
has been a parish since 1949, and this day has a population of
around 5,800 people excluding tourists. This population is just
about doubling every ten years or so. There are modern hotels,
restaurants, cafes, a duck pond and a four screen air conditioned
cinema. The atmosphere is akin to an upbeat seaside resort.
The
mood is so relaxed here that the favourite pastime is walking around
and around the promenade that stretches all the way around the bay
from Zonqor Point around to the Jerma Palace Hotel, with stops on
the way for drinks and snacks. These walks usually take place in the
evenings as its a lot cooler than during the day when its just too
warm to contemplate walking, and the day is usually spent in and
around the cafes and restaurants.
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