Siġġiewi, Southern Region, Malta

🇲🇹 Siġġiewi (Is-Siġġiewi), also called by its title Città Ferdinand, is a city and a local council in the Southern Region of Malta. It is the third largest council in Malta by surface area, after Rabat and Mellieħa respectively. It is situated on a plateau, a few km away from Mdina, the ancient capital city of Malta, and 10 km (6 miles) away from Valletta, the contemporary capital.

Until several decades ago, most of the population was employed in the fields which surround the village. In 1993, the city adopted the motto Labore et Virtute (Work and Virtue).

History In its demographic and topographical formation, Siġġiewi followed a pattern common to other villages in Malta. Before the arrival of the Order of St John in 1530, there were other thriving hamlets in the area. Little by little Ħal Xluq, Ħal Kbir, Ħal Niklusi and Ħal Qdieri were absorbed in Siġġiewi and today only their secluded chapels remain.

Zones in Siġġiewi • Buskett • Bur ix-Xewk • Fawwara • Girgenti • Għajn il-Kbira • Għar il-Kbir • Għar Lapsi • Għar Mundu • Ħal-Farruġ • Ħesri • Laferla Cross (Salib tal-Għolja) • Qajjied • Rdum Dikkiena • Ta' Brija • Ta' Nghajsa • Ta' Dun Konz • Ta' Fonzu • Ta' Fuq il-Blat • Ta' Kandja • Ta' Kirċippu • Ta' Raba' • Ta' Żagi • Ta' Zuta • Tal-Għaqba • Tal-Imwiegel • Tal-Għolja • Tal-Providenza • Vina l-Kbira • Wied il-Girgenti • Wied il-Ħesri • Wied il-Luq • Wied San Anton • Wied Xkora.

Tourist Industry In Siġġiewi there is the Girgenti Palace, which was built in 1625 as the summer palace of inquisitor Onorato Visconti. It was renovated by inquisitor Angelo Dorini in 1763. Today it is the Maltese Prime Minister's official residence. The palace of Grand Master Verdalle is one of the residences of the Presidents of the Republic, called Verdala Palace. Adjoining this palace is the Buskett, a small semi-wild woodland which Grand Masters such as De Valette used as hunting grounds.

Within the local council of Siġġiewi lies Għar Lapsi, Fawwara, Girgenti, Ta' Kandja and the Hill of Laferla Cross. From there the islet of Filfla can be seen on the horizon. The village stands on a flat plateau flanked by two relatively deep valleys (Wied il-Hesri and Wied Xkora).

There are several niches in the old part of the city, some of which date back to the middle of the 17th century and are a sign of devotion as well as an architectural decoration. A number of small chapels are found within the boundaries of Siġġiewi, including that dedicated to Our Lady of Providence, which is a notable example of Maltese Baroque architecture.

Siġġiewi also celebrates its Feast in the last week of June, in honour of Saint Nicholas, with band marches around the streets, aerial fireworks and catherine wheels, street decorations and celebrations in the main church. The Limestone Heritage Park & Gardens is an attraction situated in a renovated quarry. Maltese summer folklore evening also take place between May and October. Malta Falconry Centre lies just outside the city.