Tarxien
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| Tarxien | |
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Motto: Tyrii Genure Coloni (The Phoenicians Created Me) |
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| Official name: | Ħal-Tarxien |
| Inhabitants' name: | Tarxieniżi |
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| Latitude: | 35°51 '57" N |
| Longitude: | 14°30 '43" E |
| Population total: | 7,608 |
| Borders: | Fgura, Paola, Santa Luċija, Żejtun |
| Patron saint: | Annunciation (il-Lunzjata) |
| Day of festa: | 3rd Sunday of May (Annunciation); 3rd Sunday of July Our Lady of Doctrine |
| Website: | tarxien.gov.mt/ |
Contents |
[edit] Description
Tarxien (or Ħal Tarxien) is a small village in the southeast of Malta. The etymology of the village may be a corruption of one of two words: Tarzin, an Arabic word for a family of trees; or Tirix, meaning a large stone, similar to those used for the village's noted temples. The village motto is Tyrii Genure Coloni ("The Phoenicians created me").
[edit] Prehistoric temples
The oldest temple is said to date back to about 2800 BCE. The temples feature various statues and reliefs of animals, including goats (for which Malta is noted) and pigs. Most notable of the statues found in the Temples are about 2.5 m in height, and are said to represent a sort of Mother Goddess. There are several of these statues scattered around the various temples, and are thought to represent fertility.
[edit] Trivia
Today, the village is inhabited by just 7,608 villagers (Nov 2005). A key part of Tarxien culture is the feast of the Annunciation, a religious holiday celebrated in late May. It is celebrated with large fireworks displays. When the summer comes, the heat drives most of the citizens of Tarxien to the seaside villages of Malta, often bringing down the population of the village to about two-thirds of what it is during the colder months. The feast of our Lady of the Doctrine is also celebrated in the third Sunday of July. Former Prime Minister of Malta Dominic Mintoff lives in retirement in Tarxien.
[edit] Gallery
 Entrance to the temple complex |
 Fat Lady in the Tarxien Temple |
 A relief showing goats and rams |
[edit] Twin cities
[edit] Tarxien Main Roads
- Misraħ is-Suq (Market Square)
- Triq Birżebbuġa (Birzebbuga Road)
- Triq Ħal-Tarxien (Tarxien Road)
- Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
- Triq il-Palma (Palm Street)
- Triq Paola (Paola Road)
- Triq San Anard (St Leonard Road)
- Triq Santa Marija (St Mary Street)
[edit] References
- Places of Interest: Tarxien Temples. Accessed on February 21, 2005.
- Places - Tarxien. Accessed on February 21, 2005.
[edit] External link
| edit | Local Councils of Malta |  |
|---|---|---|
| Malta Island | ||
| Attard | Balzan | Birgu (Vittoriosa) | Birkirkara | Birżebbuġa | Bormla (Cospicua) | Dingli | Fgura | Floriana | Għargħur | Għaxaq | Gudja | Gżira | Ħamrun | Iklin | Isla (Senglea, Città Invicta) | Kalkara | Kirkop | Lija | Luqa | Marsa | Marsaskala (Wied il-Għajn) | Marsaxlokk | Mdina (Città Notabile) | Mellieħa | Mġarr | Mosta | Mqabba | Msida | Mtarfa | Naxxar | Paola (Raħal Ġdid) | Pembroke | Pietà | Qormi (Città Pinto) | Qrendi | Rabat | Safi | San Ġiljan (St. Julian's) | San Ġwann | San Pawl il-Baħar (St. Paul's Bay) | Santa Luċija | Santa Venera | Siġġiewi (Città Ferdinand) | Sliema | Swieqi | Tarxien | Ta' Xbiex | Valletta | Xgħajra | Żabbar (Città Hompesch) | Żebbuġ (Città Rohan) | Żejtun (Città Beland) | Żurrieq | ||
| Gozo Island | ||
| Fontana | Għajnsielem | Għarb | Għasri | Kerċem | Munxar | Nadur | Qala | Rabat (Victoria) | San Lawrenz | Sannat | Xagħra | Xewkija | Żebbuġ | ||
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