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Arrangements onto the festa, Zurrieq

Żurrieq is the largest village in the southern area, and one of the original medieval parishes. Much of the village survives from the time before the arrival of the Knights and provides an insight into pre-baroque Malta. The village is near some spectacular coastline - the picturesque, tiny harbour of Wied iż-Żurrieq at the end of a rugged valley. From the harbour, you can take a short boat trip to the Blue Grotto, a series of natural, sea-level caves, and a local beauty spot. Żurrieq and the surrounding area are rich in archaeological and historic sites, including several ancient chapels, a Roman tower, Punic tombs and a strange, free-standing room with an Egyptian cornice - possibly part of a temple of Melqart mentioned by Ptolemy, the 2nd century Greek geographer and astronomer. The chapels at Hal-Millieri, on the fringes of Żurrieq, were built between the 14th and 16th centuries; in one you can still see the original medieval frescoes. The chapels are open the first Sunday of the month from 10am till noon.

Festas in Malta

With nearly 60 festas in Malta on the annual calendar (mostly during the summer months and nearly 20 festa events on the smaller sister island of Gozo, the Maltese festa, a religious celebration organized by the local parish, is a typical scene of the hot summer months on the island, and very much an iconic part of culture in Malta.

One of the highlights you may experience on your visit to Malta is the festas which are held throughout the villages and towns around Malta during the year. Each year towns and villages in both Malta and Gozo celebrate the patron saint of their village in true Maltese festive tradition.

During this time villages and towns are transformed with flags, banners, statues and other festive attributes usually including a fireworks display of some kind. The work, dedication and planning that goes into these festivals is astounding and the end result is something not to be missed. These festas have grown over the years into an almost competitive event with each village or town trying to produce the biggest and best festa each year. (Source: Malta guide)