- Marsa, Malta
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Marsa
Il-Kunsill Lokali tal-Marsa
Port— Local council — Il-Marsa 
Coat of arms
Coordinates: 35°53′0″N 14°29′41″E / 35.883333°N 14.49472°ECoordinates: 35°53′0″N 14°29′41″E / 35.883333°N 14.49472°E Country 
MaltaIsland Malta District Borders Floriana, Ħamrun, Luqa, Paola, Qormi Government - Mayor Francis Debono (MLP) Area - Total 2.8 km2 (1.1 sq mi) Population (Nov 2005) - Total 5,344 - Density 1,908.6/km2 (4,943.2/sq mi) Demonym Marsi (m), Marsija (f), Marsin (pl) Time zone CET (UTC+1) - Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2) Postal code MRS Dialing code 356 Patron saint Maria Regina; Holy Trinity Day of festa last Sunday of August; First Sunday of June Website Official website Marsa (or Il-Marsa) is a town in the south of Malta, with a population of 5,389 people as of November 2005. The name Marsa means "the harbour".[1]
Contents
History
Marsa is located on the Marsa Creek, a body of water formed by the flow of water from wadis in high ground nearby to the sea. The creek includes the Grand Harbour which the town is based on. A port was first established at Marsa by the Phonecians. Remains of Roman constructions have been found close to the town. It is thought a foundary of the Order of the Knights of St. John may have been located at Marsa.[1]
During the Siege of Malta in 1565, Marsa was used as a camp by troops of the Ottoman Empire. Following their defeat, Marsa became a barony containing a number of vineyards.[1]
In the 17th century a historical museum, the Museo di San Giacomo, was located at Marsa. This was created when Giovanni Francesco Abela converted his house into a museum and was the first of its type on Malta. Many of its artefacts are now held at the National Museum of Archaeology in Malta's capital city Valletta.[1]
A new port was constructed in the 1860s under the rule of the British Empire. It was intended that a town would be built at the site under the name Albert Town, named after Prince Albert. By 1890 the town had a population of over 600 people, but it was later abandoned. A new town at the site emerged in the 20th century, taking the name Marsa after the creek.[1]
In July 2009 a plan to regenerate the harbour area was announced. This is intended to turn the site into a recreational area and is planned include the construction of a marina with space for 170 boats.[2]
Facilities
Marsa is home to the Malta Shipyards. It also houses one of the two power stations which provide most of the electricity to the Maltese Islands.[1]
Marsa Race Track, a one-kilometre long horse racing track, was constructed in 1868 and remains in use.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Marsa Local Council - Town at a Crossroad: History of Marsa
- ^ "Marsa menqa regeneration plan unveiled". The Times of Malta. 3 July 2009. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090703/local/one. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
- ^ Richards, Brian (2008). Malta. New Holland Publishers. p. 27. ISBN 1845373618. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=XO6EDIMeTfAC&pg=PA27&dq=marsa+race+track&hl=en&ei=zhZpTbetLMSZhQfnh83zDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=marsa%20race%20track&f=false.
External links
Categories:- Towns in Malta
- Local councils of Malta
- Malta geography stubs
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