Fun Facts You Might Not Know About: Żabbar!

Żabbar, also known as Città Hompesch, is a lively and proud town in the south of Malta, and it has more to offer than you might think. First of all, its name has nothing to do with żebbuġ (olives) like some people believe. The name Żabbar most likely comes from the Arabic word ṣabbār, which means a person who prunes or cuts trees. So in a way, you could call it the town of tree-trimmers! In 1797, Żabbar was given the official title Città Hompesch by Grand Master Ferdinand von Hompesch, making it one of only a few Maltese towns to be given a noble title.

One thing Żabbar is super famous for is its love for bicycles. It even has its own Bicycle Museum! That’s right – a whole museum full of bikes from all over the world, including ancient penny-farthings and bikes used in the old Tour de France. Locals love cycling, and the museum shows just how much the town has been linked to two wheels through the years.

The heart of Żabbar is its sanctuary, dedicated to Our Lady of Graces (Il-Madonna tal-Grazzja), which attracts thousands of visitors each year. People from all over Malta come on foot to Żabbar in September to say thank you for blessings, especially during the annual feast. The festa of Żabbar is one of the biggest and most exciting on the island. Expect massive crowds, fireworks in the sky, band marches through the streets, and loads of food stalls selling imqaret, nougat, and other local treats.

Żabbar also played an important role in Maltese history. During the Great Siege of 1565, the area was used as a lookout and defence point. Later, during the British period, the town grew quickly, especially thanks to its location close to the Cottonera area and the old dockyards.

The people of Żabbar are proud of their town’s traditions, and you can feel the strong community spirit just by walking through its streets. There are still small groceries and snack bars where neighbours stop for a chat, and murals that show off the town’s story. It is a place full of heart, history and local flavour.

So next time someone says Żabbar is “just another town,” you can tell them it is actually a city of bicycles, blessings and brilliant stories.

#MaltaDaily