Msida 2121169 225226752 2008-07-12T15:51:52Z 85.232.202.32 /* Msida Marina */ {{Towns (Malta) |name = Msida |coa = Msida-coa.svg |motto = Novissima Surgo |official_name = L-iMsida |inhabitants_name = Misidjan (m), Misidjana (f), Misidjani (pl) |other_names = (code: MSD) |map = Msida-map.svg |latitude = 35°53 '52" |longitude = 14°29 '22" |area = 1.7 |population_total = 7,623 |population_density = 4,488 |borders = [[Birkirkara]], [[Ħamrun]], [[Gżira]], [[Pietà, Malta|Pietà]], [[San Ġwann]], [[Santa Venera]], [[Ta' Xbiex]] |saint = [[Saint Joseph|St. Joseph]] |feast = 1st Sunday after [[July 19]] |mayor = [[Alexander Sciberras]] ([[Malta Labour Party|MLP]]) |website = [http://www.imsida.gov.mt/ imsida.gov.mt] }} [[Image:Msida Parish Church.jpg|right|188px|thumb|The Parish Church in Msida, dedicated to St. Joseph.]] '''Msida''' (pronounced 'Msy'da), also known as '''L-Imsida''', is a harbour town in [[Malta]] with a population of 7,623 (November 2005). The town is located just North of [[Valletta]] in the east coast of [[Malta]]. The town enjoys a [[Mediterranean]] climate with hot, dry, sunny summers and short, cool winters. The neighbouring towns of [[Msida]] are [[Ta’Xbiex]], [[Gzira]] and [[San Gwann]], [[Birkirkara]], [[Santa Venera]], [[Hamrun]], [[Pieta’]]. Msida is an important City for all travellers; In fact 55% of the Bus Routes pass through Msida. The patron saint of Msida is [[Saint Joseph]] while the protector is [[The Holy Conception]]. For a week and a half in July, the town celebrates the feast of [[St. Joseph]]. The feast of Msida is also famous for its traditional game '''“Il-Gostra”'''. Although relatively small, Msida is one of the most important and beautiful towns in [[Malta]]. ==History== Its name comes from an [[Arabic language|Arabic]] word meaning "a fisherman's dwelling". However it could also be derived from the word 'Omm Sidna' meaning 'The Mother of Our Lord' since there could have been a small chapel dedicated to the [[Blessed Virgin Mary]], Mother of God. Msida was previously an old [[fishing]] village. Although it is now more urbanised, some fishermen still operate in the village. Msida became a parish in 1867. Then the settlement was centered around the hovels located inward at Valley Road, and some nearby ancillary roads and pathways which led up to the quaint district of Villambrosa. This status did not last long however, as a new parish [[Ħamrun]] was hived off in 1881. Today the lowest part of Villambrosa Street remains a silent reminder of Msida's jurisdiction in this area. Msida would also eventually see parts of its territory lost to new parishes at [[Santa Venera]] in 1918, [[Pietà, Malta|Pietà]] in 1968 and [[Ta' Xbiex]] in 1969. Its population, which at one time numbered 11,000, thus also dwindled to a mere 6,000. However the recent aforementioned demands as well as residential developments in the outlying suburb of [[Swatar]], have now seen an increase to more than 7600 inhabitants. Swatar also hosts St. Martin's College, a leading private secondary school. Today, Msida is now a bustling university town and development has in fact been centered around an ever increasing student population at the University and at Skylark School of English as well as various new service industries that have sprung in this town in recent years. ==Media== Msida host two local newspapers, one of them is the "Lehen il-Misidjani" (The Voice of the Misidjani) produced and edited by the local band club the Ghaqda Melita Banda San Guzepp Msida. The "Lehen il-Misidjani" gathers information on most of the Msida Communities, Clubs and Associations, such as the "Ghaqda tan-Nar San Guzepp Msida" which is the local pyrotechnic association, the local football club "The Msida St.Joseph", the band club it's self and more... Another newspaper is the "Id f'Id" (Hand in Hand) which is produced by the Parish and the Ghaqda Armar Msida. It basically contains information on the church activities, religious activities in Msida and the Feasts. ==Geography== The lower part of Msida lies at the outlet of a [[valley]] and is a fulcrum for heavy traffic going to [[Sliema]], [[Valletta]], [[Birkirkara]] and Mater Dei Hospital. When it rains, water rushes down towards the sea from surrounding cities at higher levels and often causes floods, bringing traffic to a halt in the area opposite the [[Parish Church]] dedicated to [[St. Joseph]]. Msida also hosts an old rock hewn [[chapel]] dedicated to the [[Immaculate Conception]], a rarity of its kind. Msida has also experienced a lot of reclamation from the sea. The town centre and surrounding areas which were located below sea-level were all reclaimed from the sea, after [[World War II]]. A new project which intends to catch more surface rainwater running should also considerably remedy a perennial flooding problem which affects this area as well as nearby towns. ==L-Ghajn tal-Hasselien== This quaint building is known as '''"l-Ghajn tal-Hasselin"'''. It was constructed in 1750 and funded by the Bailiff Philip Wolfgang de Gutenberg. The Ghajn provided a source of water for the villagers, and would be used by housewives to wash clothes and vegetables. It is said that once the Msida fisherman, used to keep their fish fresh and alive in the water of the Ghajn. It is also said that the water of the Ghajn was very good for ones health, this is because of its salmaster taste and the minerals it used to contain. ==University of Malta== {{main|University of Malta}} The University of Malta is situated in a part of Msida known as [[Tal-Qroqq]] which rests on higher ground. Msida is also home to the [[Giovanni Francesco Abela]] Junior College and a State Nursing Home. ==Sports== *Msida is home to [[Msida Saint-Joseph F.C.]], the local football team currently playing in the Highest Divion of Malta, The BOV Premier League. The team colours are Red and White. Website: http://www.msidastjoseph.com/ *Msida also hosts the [[Msida Red Stars A.F.C]], which is a local 7 A-Side team and participates int the I.A.S.C (Inter Amateur Soccer Competition). Website: http://www.freewebs.com/msidaredstarsafc/ *Msida Bocci Klabb(Club), the local bocci team. ==Mater Dei Hospital== {{main|Mater Dei Hospital}} Malta's new hospital, the Mater Dei Hospital is also located in the outskirts of Msida. It was inaugurated by the prime minister of Malta Dr. Gonzi in June of 2007 and has a total floor area of 232,000m² and approximately 8,000 rooms. It also houses a teaching facility for the University of Malta. The hospital has cost the Maltese people 200,000,000 [[Maltese lira|Maltese liri]], a considerable increase compared to its original estimate of 83,000,000 liri. [http://www.di-ve.com/dive/portal/portal.jhtml?id=243740] Because of the mismanagement, the project became the centre of political controversies over the past ten years. The hospital was intended to be a specialised centre when it started to be built by the [[Nationalist Party (Malta)|Nationalist]] administration but was eventually changed to a general hospital with a change in government. It is expected to cost 1.5million liri per week to run. ==Msida Marina== In the late 19th century, a floating [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|British]] navy hydraulic dock was also planned at the central part of Msida close to where the [[Torpedo]] Depot used to stand. The plan was soon aborted but in its stead, this area would in later years experience a booming yacht marina service, which has been growing ever since, thanks to new incentive policies issued by the central government. <gallery> Image:Msida-Marina.jpg|right. </gallery> ==Zones in Msida== *Misraħ il-Barrieri *Msida Yacht Marina *Swatar *Ta' Sisla *Ta' Ziza *Tal-Qroqq *Tas-Salib *Tat-Tigan *Il-Wied ==Culture== Msida traditionally celebrates the Feast of [[St. Joseph]] on the first Sunday after [[July 19]] every year. The local football club is [[Msida Saint-Joseph FC|Msida St. Joseph F.C.]] ==Band Clubs== *Melita Club St. Joseph Band (L-Għaqda Melita Banda San Ġużepp) ==Msida Main Roads== *Misraħ Ġużè Ellul Mercer (Ellul Mercer Square) *Misraħ il-5 ta' Ottubru (5th October Square) *Misraħ il-Menqa (Menqa Square) *Triq D'Argens (Rue D'Argens) *Triq il-Marina (Marina Street) *Triq il-Prinċipessa Margarita (Princess Margreth Street) *Triq il-Wied ta' l-Imsida (Msida Valley Road) *Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli (M.A. Vassalli Road) *Triq Reġjonali (Regional Road) *Xatt ta' l-Imsida (Msida Seafront) *Xatt Ta' Xbiex (Ta' Xbiex Seafront) ==External links== *[http://www.imsida.gov.mt/ Msida Local Council] *[http://www.maltavista.net/en/webcam Live Images of Msida] {{malta-LocalCouncils}} <span id="coordinates" class="plainlinksneverexpand"> [[Geographic coordinate system|Coordinates]]: {{coor dms|35|53|52|N|14|29|22|E|type:city}} </span> [[Category:Towns in Malta]] [[de:Msida]] [[es:Msida]] [[fr:Msida]] [[it:Msida]] [[nl:Msida]] [[pl:Msida]] [[scn:Msida]]