Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About: Iklin!

Let’s zoom into the fascinating world of Iklin, a small Maltese village that may look modern, but hides ancient stories and a lovely little chapel just waiting to be discovered!

A Village That’s Actually Quite New

You might think Iklin is an old village—but it’s pretty new! The first house was built only in 1954, and it officially became its own parish in 2005. Before that, it belonged to nearby Lija.A Name from the Rosemary

The name Iklin comes from the Maltese word for rosemary—”l‑iklin”—because the valley where the village now stands was once full of that fragrant herb.

Tiny Chapel with a Big Story

Iklin has a very old chapel called St Michael’s Chapel, built in 1615 to replace an even older one. Every year, villagers celebrate the feast of St Michael on the Sunday before 29 September.

Hidden Secrets in the Ground

Even though it’s new on the surface, Iklin has a hidden history! In 1967, local teenagers discovered what might be a prehistoric megalithic temple, and another site—possibly with Roman remains—was spotted in 1975. Sadly, that site was built over soon after.

A Quiet Hilltop Neighbourhood

Iklin sits quietly in central Malta on a gentle hill, bordered by Lija, Balzan, Naxxar, Birkirkara, and San Ġwann. The village is split into two areas: Upper Iklin, which has villas and farmhouses on the hill, and Lower Iklin, with homes and apartments closer to the roads.

Calm, Friendly, and Growing

Though small—just over 3,200 people— Iklin is a peaceful place with modern homes, green spaces, and a strong community feel.

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