Medieval Malta - 1

MEDIEVAL MALTA - 1

THE DEVELOPMENT OF MALTESE VILLAGES DURING MEDIEVAL TIMES AND THE ORDER’S RULE

In medieval times, particularly during the rule of the Normans (1091 – 1194), the Angevines (1266 – 1283) and the Aragonese (1283 – 1530), Maltese villages were quite different from those that we find today. The greater part of Malta’s surface area was populated with small villages, whereas the northwest region was practically uninhabited. In Gozo, all hamlets were in close proximity of the Castello (Ċittadella) and Rabat.

ĊITTADELLA The island of Malta RABAT Along the years, many villages saw their population grow until they formed the ones we know today, while others were slowly abandoned until they ceased to exist. These are referred to as lost villages. They were generally small countryside villages whose population consisted of a few households.

The abandonment of the villages The constant attacks from corsairs was one of the reasons why villages were being abandoned. Since they were small, they had minimum or no protection at all, forcing the inhabitants to seek cover in nearby villages. Another reason was the lack of commodities which were instead available in nearby bigger villages. Eventually, it became clear that it was more practical to live in larger villages.

Ħal Millieri Ħal Millieri is one of the most popular lost villages. Its dwellings and farms are long gone but two chapels still exist. The abandonment of this village happened between the late 15th century and the end of the 16th century.

Small villages which assimilated others During the Order’s rule, some of the most thriving villages fused with adjoining hamlets. A clear example is Ħaż-Żebbuġ which incorporates the small villages of Ħal Dwin, Ħal Muxi and Mellieħa Ħal Mula. The same process took place in Żejtun where the small villages of Ħal Ġwann, Ħal Bisbut u Bisqallin fused into one large settlement.

Marikatu The Island of Gozo Raħal Għattar Għazara Raħal Samudi The villages in Gozo know their beginning to the 17th century. Their Raħal Ger germination and early development were encouraged by the Raħal Dragu RAĦAL GĦARGĦUR Raħal Muselmiet strengthening of the coastal defences with the construction of six Raħal Dimekk Raħal Pessa NAXXAR towers between 1607 and 1670. By 1688, six new parishes were Raħal Sir Raħal Dejf MUSTA formed outside of Rabat. Raħal Kalleja Raħal Sajjied Qallelija Raħal Mann RAĦAL LIJA BIRKIRKARA Raħal Tigan Raħal Bordi RAĦAL BALZAN Għemieri RAĦAL ATTARD Raħal Msida MDINA Raħal Brabar Raħal Kaprat RABAT Raħal Bajjada CASTRUM MARIS Raħal Kirċipulli BIRGU

RAĦAL QORMI RAĦAL ŻABBAR Raħal Għul Raħal Muxi RAĦAL ŻEBBUĠ Raħal Mula Raħal Sajd Raħal Saflieni Raħal Qdieri Raħal Dwin Raħal Ħellul Bidni RAĦAL DINGLI Raħal Farruġ RAĦAL TARXIEN Raħal Għaqrux Raħal Fuqani RAĦAL LUQA Raħal Tmin/Għadiri Raħal Tartarni SIĠĠIEWI Raħal Bisqallin Raħal Ġwann ŻEJTUN Raħal Resqun Raħal Biżbud Raħal Tabuni GUDJA Raħal Ħarrat RAĦAL GĦAXAQ Raħal Xluq MQABBA Raħal Kbir • Villages which disappeared before 1419 Raħal Masur RAĦAL KIRKOP Raħal Qadi Raħal Bajda Raħal Armanin Raħal Spital • Villages which disappeared between QRENDI Raħal Millieri Raħal Ġawhar (Ħas Saptan) 1419 and 1530 Raħal Sejjieħ RAĦAL SAFI Raħal Lew RAĦAL ŻURRIEQ Raħal Għarab/ • Villages which disappeared between Raħal Niklusi Ħlantun Raħal Għabdirzeq BUBAQRA 1530 and 1800 Baqqari Raħal Far Raħal Qadim • Medieval villages which survived