Żejt iż-Żejtun MarathonTourist Package: Itinerary for Foreign VisitorsMalta: Żejtun, Valletta and Countryside Walks

and Bike Routes

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Iż-Żejtun – Ċitta Beland: An Introduction The town of Żejtun, also known as Ċitta Beland Żejtun, is situated in the south-eastern part of Malta. It covers the top of a hill that dominates the bays of Marsaxlokk, St. Thomas Bay and Marsaskala, today important sites and in the past popular ports of call for all Mediterranean sailors since Phoenician times. They also provided convenient landing beaches for invaders.The origins of Żejtun go back to Phoenician and Roman times. Originally Żejtun, known as Terra Santa Catarina, covered the whole south eastern part of the island extending to the outskirts of the walls protecting Cottonera and included Żabbar, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk and St. George’s Bay. The inhabitants of Żejtun proper till 1680 formed two separate communities huddled in residences protected by narrow streets (which of themselves 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

Village (Ir-Raħal ta’ Fuq). Development during the eighteenth century and the construction of the new parish church in between the two communities formed the present centre and linked the two to form one community.Today, Żejtun is a vibrant community with authentic village life surrounding an active community proud of its roots and rich tangible and intangible heritage. Żejtun has revived its olive production tradition, and is also a leader in matters that promote the south eastern region of the Maltese Islands.Spending time in Żejtun will take you back in time, give you an opportunity to familiarise yourself with the heritage, explore the unspoiled countryside and experience life in an authentic Maltese village. Żejtun is also an ideal location to explore the surrounding localities.

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IŻ-ŻEJTUN

CITTA BELAND: AN INTRODUCTION*

*Source of Information http://www.Żejtunlocalcouncil.com/#!history/c1aa8

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Breakfast at Żejtun followed by a visit to VallettaWaking up in Żejtun or for that matters, in any of the surrounding villages in the South East of Malta is an experience in itself. The church bells calling their patrons to mass are an innovative wake-up call. A unique breakfast follows, it can consist of a fresh baked warm ftira (flat bread) from one of the local bakers, with local tomatoes, hams and cheeses or Roger’s famous pastizzi - a pure delicacy of flakey pastry savoury pockets filled with cheese or peas. Alternatively, if you have a sweet tooth, you can enjoy treats prepared by two renowned local bakers of Żejtun, Barbetta or Ermenia – whose apple pie, and sinizza are worth waking up for.

Visit to Valletta – European Capital of Culture 2018Valletta is Malta’s capital city, a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in 2018 will be the European

Capital of Culture together with Leeuwarden, in Netherlands.Our capital city is a pure example of Maltese Baroque architecture and offers the visitor a glimpse of the richness of high art and culture – with monuments designed by the Knights of St. John and Maltese architects and subsequently embellished by the British. The most recent addition to this melting pot of architecture is the Maltese Parliament at Valletta Gate – a tribute to Maltese creativity built by Renzo Piano.Valletta is a vibrant city, where the old mixes with the new, where open spaces give the visitor a glimpse of the rich intangible heritage of the Maltese culture; it is a city that is alive with activities mostly during the day. At night you are most welcome to wander around the cool streets, appreciate the local life and feast your senses at the many eateries specialising in Maltese cuisine.

The Archaeological

Museum, situated in Republic Street will give you insight into Malta’s Neolithic roots and megalithic heritage. For more information about the archeology of Malta and the museums in Valletta, log on to the website of Heritage Malta – Malta’s heritage trust on www.heritagemalta.com

St. John’s Co-Cathedral – the

seat of the Knights of St. John. A pure treasure of Maltese baroque architecture and an art museum in itself. In this site you will be able to appreciate Caravaggio’s two famous paintings – the beheading of St. John and St. Jerome, the Flemish tapestries, the tessellated tombstones and the various works of art that adorn each of the eight chapels located within the cathedral. For more information about the Cathedral and its treasures, log on to www.stjohnscocathedral.com

Upper Barrakka Gardens

and the Grand Harbour. From Valletta, if you are still willing to explore more of the richness of our islands, you can opt to take a traditional water taxi – go down towards the old customs house, using either the lift from the Upper Barrakka Gardens or take the scenic route and ride one of the water taxis that will give you a unique interpretation of Malta’s life during the British era by the water taxi driver.Or, take the bus towards Żejtun but stop first at Tarxien to visit one of the World Heritage Sites – the Tarxien temples.

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Some important sites that you must visit in Valletta include:

DAY 1

The Archaeological Museum St. John’s Co-CathedralUpper Barrakka Gardens and the

Grand Harbour

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Indeed the locality takes its name from ‘olives’. A Roman site of an olive oil production house can still be viewed today. A special permit needs to be obtained from the Girls’ Secondary School. A tour around the locality of Żejtun will reveal chapels going back to medieval times, baroque architecture, palaces and historic homes. Whilst in the parish square, one can admire the baroque cathedral and the Religious heritage museum.

A comprehensive heritage route around the main attractions of Żejtun has been designed and created by Żejtun Local Council.The full comprehensive trail can be downloaded from www.5-sensesmalta.com/ZHR.pdf

ŻEJTUN, HAS A RICH HISTORY GOING BACK TO ROMAN TIMES.

DAY 2

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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

Ta’ Silg: Marsaskala - Marsaslokk

Bike Ride: Żejtun and Surrounding Areas

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WALKS OR BIKE RIDES ALONG THE COUNTRYSIDE ROUTES

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.

DAY 3

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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

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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.

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