Fun Facts You Might Not Know About: San Ġiljan!

Saint Julian’s, or San Ġiljan as the locals call it, is a town situated in the central region of Malta. Today, the town is best known as a hub for nightlife, luxury accommodation, restaurants, and nightclubs, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists, particularly during the busy summer months.

The town takes its name from its patron saint, St Julian, widely known as Julian the Hospitaller and Julian the Poor, who is also considered the patron saint of hunters.

Spinola Palace, dating back to the 1600s, is a historic landmark in San Ġiljan that once welcomed nobles.

San Ġiljan has a long and fascinating history. Archaeological evidence, such as Roman tombs discovered in Balluta, indicates that the area has been inhabited for centuries. The Lapsi Church, originally built during the time of the Knights of St John, suffered significant damage in the 1693 earthquake that affected Malta. Following its reconstruction, requests were made for the church to become a parish.

At the time, the town was a small fishing village clustered around Spinola and Balluta Bays, with few buildings apart from Spinola Palace, the old parish church, fishermen’s huts, and scattered farmhouses.

Around 1845, the village was home to just 50 families.

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