HOST project Fit On Olive Trails Żejt iż-Żejtun Marathon Tourist Package: Itinerary for Foreign Visitors Malta: Żejtun, Valletta and Countryside Walks and Bike Routes Co-funded by the COSME programme malta of the European Union EXPLORE OUR WORLD www.olivetrails.eu • info@ olivetrails.eu www.olivetrails.eu • [email protected] Ċ IŻ-ŻEJTUN CITTA BELAND: AN INTRODUCTION* *Source of Information http://www.Żejtunlocalcouncil.com/#!history/c1aa8 Iż-Żejtun – Ċitta Beland: An Introduction Village (Ir-Raħal ta’ Fuq). Development during The town of Żejtun, also known as Ċitta Beland the eighteenth century and the construction of the Żejtun, is situated in the south-eastern part of Malta. new parish church in between the two communities It covers the top of a hill that dominates the bays of formed the present centre and linked the two to form Marsaxlokk, St. Thomas Bay and Marsaskala, today one community. important sites and in the past popular ports of call Today, Żejtun is a vibrant community with authentic for all Mediterranean sailors since Phoenician times. village life surrounding an active community proud They also provided convenient landing beaches for of its roots and rich tangible and intangible heritage. invaders. Żejtun has revived its olive production tradition, and The origins of Żejtun go back to Phoenician and is also a leader in matters that promote the south Roman times. Originally Żejtun, known as Terra eastern region of the Maltese Islands. Santa Catarina, covered the whole south eastern Spending time in Żejtun will take you back in time, part of the island extending to the outskirts of the give you an opportunity to familiarise yourself with walls protecting Cottonera and included Żabbar, the heritage, explore the unspoiled countryside and Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk and St. George’s Bay. experience life in an authentic Maltese village. The inhabitants of Żejtun proper till 1680 formed Żejtun is also an ideal location to two separate communities huddled in residences explore the surrounding protected by narrow streets (which of themselves localities. provided protection) known as Bisqallin referred to till today as the Lower Village (Ir-Raħal t’Isfel) and Ħal Ġwann and Ħal Bisbut, known today as the Upper 2 www.olivetrails.eu • info@ olivetrails.eu Ċ DAY 1 Breakfast at Żejtun followed by a visit to Valletta Capital of Culture together with Leeuwarden, in Waking up in Żejtun or for that matters, in any of the Netherlands. surrounding villages in the South East of Malta is an Our capital city is a pure example of Maltese Baroque experience in itself. The church bells calling their architecture and offers the visitor a glimpse of the patrons to mass are an innovative wake-up call. A richness of high art and culture – with monuments unique breakfast follows, it can consist of a fresh designed by the Knights of St. John and Maltese baked warm ftira (flat bread) from one of the local architects and subsequently embellished by the bakers, with local tomatoes, hams and cheeses or British. The most recent addition to this melting pot Roger’s famous pastizzi - a pure delicacy of flakey of architecture is the Maltese Parliament at Valletta pastry savoury pockets filled with cheese or peas. Gate – a tribute to Maltese creativity built by Renzo Alternatively, if you have a sweet tooth, you can Piano. enjoy treats prepared by two renowned local bakers Valletta is a vibrant city, where the old mixes with of Żejtun, Barbetta or Ermenia – whose apple pie, and the new, where open spaces give the visitor a glimpse sinizza are worth waking up for. of the rich intangible heritage of the Maltese culture; it is a city that is alive with activities mostly during Visit to Valletta – European Capital of Culture 2018 the day. At night you are most welcome to wander Valletta is Malta’s capital city, a city built by around the cool streets, appreciate the local life and gentlemen for gentlemen. It is a UNESCO World feast your senses at the many eateries specialising in Heritage Site and in 2018 will be the European Maltese cuisine. Some important sites that you must visit in Valletta include: Upper Barrakka Gardens and the The Archaeological Museum St. John’s Co-Cathedral Grand Harbour Upper Barrakka Gardens and the Grand Harbour. From Valletta, if you are still St. John’s willing to explore more of the Co-Cathedral – the richness of our islands, you can The seat of the Knights of St. John. A opt to take a traditional water taxi Archaeological pure treasure of Maltese baroque – go down towards the old customs Museum, situated in architecture and an art museum in house, using either the lift from Republic Street will give you itself. In this site you will be able the Upper Barrakka Gardens or insight into Malta’s Neolithic roots to appreciate Caravaggio’s two take the scenic route and ride one and megalithic heritage. For more famous paintings – the beheading of the water taxis that will give information about the archeology of St. John and St. Jerome, the you a unique interpretation of of Malta and the museums in Flemish tapestries, the tessellated Malta’s life during the British era Valletta, log on to the website of tombstones and the various works by the water taxi driver. Heritage Malta – Malta’s heritage of art that adorn each of the Or, take the bus towards Żejtun trust on eight chapels located within the but stop first at Tarxien to visit one cathedral. For more information www.heritagemalta.com of the World Heritage Sites – the about the Cathedral and its Tarxien temples. treasures, log on to www.stjohnscocathedral.com www.olivetrails.eu • info@ olivetrails.eu 3 DAY 2 ŻEJTUN, HAS A RICH HISTORY GOING BACK TO ROMAN TIMES. Indeed the locality takes its name from ‘olives’. A comprehensive heritage A Roman site of an olive oil production house can route around the main still be viewed today. A special permit needs to be attractions of Żejtun has obtained from the Girls’ Secondary School. A tour been designed and created by around the locality of Żejtun will reveal chapels Żejtun Local Council. going back to medieval times, baroque architecture, The full comprehensive trail palaces and historic homes. Whilst in the parish can be downloaded from square, one can admire the baroque cathedral and the Religious heritage museum. www.5-sensesmalta.com/ZHR.pdf 4 www.olivetrails.eu • info@ olivetrails.eu DAY 3 WALKS OR BIKE RIDES ALONG THE COUNTRYSIDE ROUTES Ta’ Silg:• Marsaskala - Marsaslokk This walk is a fairly easy one going along the coast, around parts of the villages of Marsaskala and Marsaxlokk, St. Thoman Bay, and the pristine coasts of Munxar and Delimara. There are two route options for this walk, both start in the same way but in the St. Thomas Bay area, one can choose either Route A or Route B. Both routes will finish in Marsaxlokk. Route A takes you through the countryside not following the coast while Route B follows country roads around the coasts for most of the walk. Both routes are similar in duration at approx. lengths of 6.76km for Route A and 6.92km for Route B. Note that only Route A can be followed by bicycle. Bike Ride: Żejtun and Surrounding Areas There are many options for tailored bicycle rides starting in Żejtun and visiting the surrounding areas of Marsaskala and Marsaxlokk. Here is one route of approximately 11.26km that goes around the Marsaskala coast for a view of Zonqor to one side and St. Thomas Bay and Munxar on the other side. Many such routes can be planned to take in different attractions on the way. Some attractions include: • Marsaskala Parish Church • Marsaskala seafront • St. Thomas Bay and Tower • Torri Mamo • Knisja San Gejtanu • Xrobb L-Għaġin • Tas-Silġ Church • Knisna ta’ San Niklaw • Marsaxlokk Harbour • Delimara • And more www.olivetrails.eu • info@ olivetrails.eu 5 EXPLORE OUR WORLD ENJOY YOUR STAY Other Interesting activities in Żejtun: Żejtun houses an active crafts persons community – some interesting crafts people in Żejtun include: • Silversmiths • Traditional Christmas crib makers • Il- Manucca – kite making • Confectioners and Bakers • Accommodation in the area abounds. You can find accommodation in traditional houses, town houses, farmhouses and apartments References and Further Information www.wirtizzejtun.com Website of Żejtun researched and hosted by a heritage NGO “Wirt Iż-Żejtun”. The site contains details of the natural, cultural, environmental, historical, ethnographical and archaeological, tangible and intangible heritage of Żejtun. www.zejtunlocalcouncil.com Website of Żejtun Local Council. Co-funded by the COSME programme malta of the European Union EXPLORE OUR WORLD 6 www.olivetrails.eu • info@ olivetrails.eu www.olivetrails.eu • [email protected].