the encyclopedic entry of Attard

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Municipality

As a municipality with its own local government structure since 1994, Attard covers a surface area of about seven square kilometers. It comprises to its North, facing Mdina and Mosta, the flat expanse called Ta' Qali. Beneath it the area known as Ta' l-Idward joins with Misrah Kola, across from Wied San Martin (St Martin's Valley), Wied Inċita (Valley of Instigation) and Wied Irmiedi (Valley of Ashes), on the Żebbuġ side. Its western front is bordered by Wied is-Sewda (Black Valley), on the Qormi side. This is an anciently inhabited area known as Tax-Xarolla or Taht ir-Rahal and contains the "Tax-Xarolla Catacombs". On the 3rd of September, 1935 in a field known as 'Ta' Farrat' near the Xarolla Windmill, a tomb was found dating to the periods of the Carthaginians and Phoenicians, alongside later Roman pottery remains. On the 13th of June, 1930, a Roman tomb was uncovered nearby.

To its East, up to Tal-Mirakli (of the Miracles) chapel on the Lija side, is a large zone called Ta' Fġieni bordering the village core and the 17th Century parish church at its center, built by architect Tumas Dingli. Dingli, born and bred in Attard, is best known for his work on Grandmaster Alof de Wignacourt's aqueduct, the "Porta Reale" entrance into Valletta and several churches. Of these, only Attard's parish church (with its idiosyncratic façade) remains unaltered. South of the village core is the Sant'Anton Quarter, named for San Anton Palace and the palace's botanic gardens, both built by the Knights between 1623 and 1636. It is now the official residence of the President of Malta and has long been a symbol of Attard.

Development

During the 1980s H'Attard experienced a boost in development, reflected in the large-scale construction surrounding the village center. However the area surrounding the church and the Sant'Anton Quarter feature a number of converted farmhouses (recognizable through their wooden doors and flat, rustic roofs) and residences built by the Knights of St John, surrounding the summer palace. H'Attard is also the location of the St Catherine Nursing Home, one of the largest in the Maltese Islands. The H'Attard Primary School serves as a polling station during elections and like all other localities in Malta, H'Attard Local Council elections are held every three years.

An increase in entertainment and commercial enterprise has seen development along Triq il-Pitkalija (Pitkalija Road) and nearby the village center, with various retail outlets catering to the village all within walking distance of St Mary's Parish Church. The "Santa Luċia Cafe" is famous on the islands, serving exquisite sweets and pastries. A Bank of Valletta branch is also located in this area.

The village center is a hive of activity, especially on Sundays when residents of H'Attard (known in Maltese as Saraċini) mingle with fellow churchgoers. Nearby cafes and bistros provide pastiżżi and cold kinnie. Greatest is the activity created by the village's feast, celebrated through the 11th to 15th of August.

St.Mary is the patron saint of H'Attard. Her feast is celebrated on the 15th of August every year. The 15th August is a national holiday on the Maltese islands. The parish's current priest is Dun Noel Vassallo.

The Maltese surname "Attard" is possibly linked to the village (another derivation for the surname is the Italian town of "Atti" in Bologna.)

Clubs and Societies

The Malta Amateur Radio League club house is situated in Ħ'Attard and is the representative body for amateur radio in Malta. Since MARL was established in 1922, its aim was to bring together people interested in amateur radio/electronics and discuss and defend amateur radio matters with the local authorities. It provides educational facilities for members with interest in amateur radio/electronics and also an equipped amateur radio station. MARL corresponds and expresses its ideas with local and foreign same-interest groups, providing its members the facilities of a two-way QSL Bureau as well as financing and maintaining VHF & Analog television repeaters and beacons.

The musical society of La Stella Levantina (the Levantine Star) is the first of its kind in the village. It organizes the major activities of the village feast held during the 11th -15th of August, Including band marches and feast decorations. It teaches music (at no cost) in its local club, situated in the center of the village. In 1919, the Attard M.U.S.E.U.M. Branch was opened there.

Notable Residences

The President's official residence, San Anton Palace, is situated in Ħ'Attard as is Villa Bologna, once home to Baron Strickland GCMG, Count of Catena.

The American Ambassador accredited to the Republic of Malta resides in Attard. The residence is located along Triq il-Linja. The Tunisian Ambassador also resides in Attard, on Triq Nutar Zarb.

San Anton Palace and Gardens

Sant'Anton is not only rich in artistic and historical legacies, but has been a historical center for entertainment and celebrations and a constant job-provider and place of apprenticeship for Attard residents. The palace has greeted numerous royalty across the centuries, including Queen Marie of Romania, the Russian Empress Marie Feodorovna, King Edward VII and Queen Elizabeth II in this century alone. It has seen the most distinguished visitors in contrasting personal situations - Napoleon's younger brother Louis Bonaparte as a prisoner, the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge as an admiring recluse.

Governor Borton opened its botanic gardens to the public in 1882 for picnics and strolls. Its shaded open courtyards and gardens regularly host extremely popular fairs and competitions celebrating plants, flowers, pedigree (and non-pedigree) animals and livestock. A dramatic company put on a Shakespeare Festival every summer (this has since been discontinued) and music recitals, from chamber orchestras to jazz quarters, often patronize the gardens.

During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting hosted by Malta in November 2005, the President's Palace in Attard served as a residence for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA)

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has its headquarters in Attard. The MFSA has taken over those supervisory functions that were previously conducted by the Central Bank of Malta, the Malta Stock Exchange and the Malta Financial Services Centre and is now an important regulator for financial services. The sector incorporates all financial activity especially investment, banking and insurance.

93.3 Central FM Malta

The Village of Attard housed a community radio, 93.3 Central FM, a station which transmitted all over the three villages and surrounding areas. Transmitting on 93.3MHz, Central FM was a non-commercial station which served the Attard, Lija, Balzan and the surrounding community.

The station was popular in the area mostly due to its informative reference through ongoing community news updates concerning the three villages and entertaining content but has regrettably ceased to operate.