Mqabba

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mqabba
Official name:	L-Imqabba
Inhabitants' name:	Mqabbin

Latitude:	35°50 '39" N
Longitude:	14°28 '1" E
Population total:	3,021 (Nov 2005)
Borders:	Kirkop, Luqa, Qrendi, Siġġiewi, Żurrieq
Patron saint:	Assumption of Mary
Website:	mqabba.gov.mt

Mqabba (or L-Imqabba) is a small village in the south of Malta, with a population of 3,021 inhabitants (Nov 2005).

It is famous for its limestone quarries.
Extinct animals were found in Ta' Xantin and Ta' Kandja Quarries.
Paleo Christian catacombs are found in this village - known as Ta' Mintna.
It hosts one of the leading fireworks factories in Malta, St. Mary Fireworks Factory, which is renowned for superb National Fireworks Displays. In fact, this Fireworks Group is the 1st Winner of the Malta International Fireworks Festival 2006, winning 5 of 7 prizes, being Best Overall, Best Originality, Best Choreography, Best Synchronisation with music and 1st in Public Opinion!

Amongst other important structures, one can find Vincenti Tower, and various chapels such as the Chapel of St. Basil, Our Lady of Sorrows, St. John and St.Catherine of Alexendria.

The main church is dedicated to Assumption of Our Lady. Apart from the Titular feast, the feast of Santa Marija, with many visitors flowing from all across the island to watch the highly-rated fireworks, Our Lady of the Lilies is also celebrated.

The main statue found in the church, that of the Assumption of the blessed Mother of God, was executed by Alessandro Farrugia in 1836, made out of wood and gilted in gold. It is one of the finest statues representing the mystery of the Assumption in the Maltese Islands. The photograph shows this masterpiece in its original splendour, as it was prior to 1928, when a new sarcophagus made of silver replaced the original wooden one seen in the picture. Apart from the sarcophagus, the statue itlsef has lost none of its charachteristics. The necklace shown in the picture still decorates the statue in the feast days. Added on to that, many other precious jewels adorn it, showing the love of the Mqabbin toward their heavenly mother and patroness.

The beautiful statue of the patroness of the village

The Assumption of Mary is celebrated on 15 August, and is also celebrated in Qrendi, Gudja, Ghaxaq, Mosta, Attard and Victoria (Gozo). It is all celebrated in the same day, as a tradition.

Our Lady of Lilies is normally celebrated on the 3rd week of June, depending when Saturday and Sunday come. They also have a lot of fireworks and shows.

Triq il-Konvoj ta' Santa Marija (St Mary Convoy Road)
Triq Karmenu Ciantar (Carmelo Ciantar Street)

edit	Local Councils of Malta
Malta Island
Attard \| Balzan \| Birgu (Vittoriosa) \| Birkirkara \| Birżebbuġa \| Bormla (Cospicua) \| Dingli \| Fgura \| Floriana \| Għargħur \| Għaxaq \| Gudja \| Gżira \| Ħamrun \| Iklin \| Isla (Senglea, Città Invicta) \| Kalkara \| Kirkop \| Lija \| Luqa \| Marsa \| Marsaskala (Wied il-Għajn) \| Marsaxlokk \| Mdina (Città Notabile) \| Mellieħa \| Mġarr \| Mosta \| Mqabba \| Msida \| Mtarfa \| Naxxar \| Paola (Raħal Ġdid) \| Pembroke \| Pietà \| Qormi (Città Pinto) \| Qrendi \| Rabat \| Safi \| San Ġiljan (St. Julian's) \| San Ġwann \| San Pawl il-Baħar (St. Paul's Bay) \| Santa Luċija \| Santa Venera \| Siġġiewi (Città Ferdinand) \| Sliema \| Swieqi \| Tarxien \| Ta' Xbiex \| Valletta \| Xgħajra \| Żabbar (Città Hompesch) \| Żebbuġ (Città Rohan) \| Żejtun (Città Beland) \| Żurrieq
Gozo Island
Fontana \| Għajnsielem \| Għarb \| Għasri \| Kerċem \| Munxar \| Nadur \| Qala \| Rabat (Victoria) \| San Lawrenz \| Sannat \| Xagħra \| Xewkija \| Żebbuġ