Birkirkara

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title: "Birkirkara" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["birkirkara", "towns-in-malta", "local-councils-of-malta"] topic_path: "general/birkirkara" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birkirkara" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

Field	Value
name	Birkirkara
native_name_lang	mt
other_name	Birkirkara
settlement_type	Local council
image_skyline	St Helen Parish Church Birkirkara Malta -1244497030.jpeg
image_caption	St. Helen's Basilica – Parish Church
image_flag	Flag of Birkirkara.svg
image_shield	Coat of arms of Birkirkara.svg
motto	In hoc signo vinces
image_map	Birkirkara in Malta.svg
coordinates
subdivision_type	Country
subdivision_name	Malta
subdivision_type1	Region
subdivision_name1	Eastern Region
subdivision_type2	District
subdivision_name2	Northern Harbour District
parts_type	Borders
parts_style	para
p1	Attard, Balzan, Iklin, Msida, Qormi, San Ġwann, Santa Venera
leader_title	Mayor
leader_name	Desirei Grech
leader_party	PN
unit_pref	Metric
area_total_km2	2.7
elevation_m	40
population_total	24356
population_as_of	January 2019
population_density_km2	9021
population_demonym	Karkariż (m), Karkariża (f), Karkariżi (pl)
timezone1	CET
utc_offset1	+1
timezone1_DST	CEST
utc_offset1_DST	+2
postal_code_type	Postal code
postal_code	BKR
area_code_type	Dialing code
area_code	356
iso_code	MT-04
blank_name_sec1	Patron saints
blank_info_sec1	Helena Empress; Saint Joseph; Our Lady of Mount Carmel; Anthony of Padua
blank1_name_sec1	Day of festa
blank1_info_sec1	Saint Helen: 18 August (or first Sunday after date); Sunday after 15 August; 1 May; First Sunday of July; First Sunday of June
website
::

| name = Birkirkara | native_name = | native_name_lang = mt | official_name = | other_name = Birkirkara | settlement_type = Local council | image_skyline = St Helen Parish Church Birkirkara Malta -1244497030.jpeg | image_caption = St. Helen's Basilica – Parish Church | image_flag = Flag of Birkirkara.svg | image_shield = Coat of arms of Birkirkara.svg | etymology = | nickname = | motto = In hoc signo vinces | image_map = Birkirkara in Malta.svg | map_caption = | coordinates = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Malta | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = Eastern Region | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Northern Harbour District | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | parts_type = Borders | parts_style = para | p1 = Attard, Balzan, Iklin, Msida, Qormi, San Ġwann, Santa Venera | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Desirei Grech | leader_party = PN | unit_pref = Metric | area_total_km2 = 2.7 | area_note = | area_footnotes = | elevation_m = 40 | elevation_footnotes = | population_total = 24356 | population_as_of = January 2019 | population_footnotes = | population_density_km2 = 9021 | population_note = | population_demonym = Karkariż (m), Karkariża (f), Karkariżi (pl) | timezone1 = CET | utc_offset1 = +1 | timezone1_DST = CEST | utc_offset1_DST = +2 | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = BKR | area_code_type = Dialing code | area_code = 356 | iso_code = MT-04 | blank_name_sec1 = Patron saints | blank_info_sec1 = Helena Empress; Saint Joseph; Our Lady of Mount Carmel; Anthony of Padua | blank1_name_sec1 = Day of festa | blank1_info_sec1 = Saint Helen: 18 August (or first Sunday after date); Sunday after 15 August; 1 May; First Sunday of July; First Sunday of June | website = | footnotes =

Birkirkara (abbreviated as B'Kara or BKR) is a city in the Eastern Region of Malta. It is the second most populous on the island, with 24,356 inhabitants as of 2020. The town consists of five autonomous parishes: Saint Helen, Saint Joseph the Worker, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Saint Mary and San Gorg Preca. The city's motto is In hoc signo vinces, and its coat of arms is a plain red cross, surmounted by a crown.

Etymology

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Birkirkara,_Valley_road_circa_1900.jpg" caption="1900}}"] ::

Birkirkara means "cold water" or "running water". This is attributed to the valley in the town.

Originally, the name was written as Birchircara, as influenced by Italian spelling which traditionally does not use the letter 'K'. It is often abbreviated as B'kara/Kara.

Geography

Birkirkara is situated in a valley, which is most likely where it gets its name from. It is known for flooding on heavy stormy days. Several projects have been proposed. The area has also received embellishment works from time to time.

Climate

Birkirkara features a Csa Mediterranean climate under the Köppen climate classification. Birkirkara features mild, wet winters and dry hot summers. The city's temperature varies from 10.3 to during the course of a year.

|10|15|225 |10|15|150 |12|17|100 |13|19|80 |16|23|50 |20|27|0 |22|29|0 |24|31|15 |22|28|80 |19|25|200 |15|20|170 |12|17|200 |float=center

Description

Birkirkara is one of Malta's oldest towns with a recorded mention in 1402 with The Cappella of Birkarkam which is understood to be an error for Birkirkara. It received mention in the 1436 Ecclesiastical Report mentioning the then existing parishes in Malta and Gozo, from which Birkirkara emerged as the largest parish. Various parishes and suburbs developed out of Birkirkara over the years, including Sliema, St. Julian's, Msida, Ħamrun in the 19th century and Santa Venera in the early 20th century. In more recent years, San Ġwann (1965) and Ta' l-Ibraġ hived off Birkirkara to form part of the new parish and locality of Swieqi in 1993.

Birkirkara has grown into an important commercial centre as well as a densely populated residential area.[[File:Birkirkara_Valley,_Malta.jpeg|thumb|right|Wejter Valley in Birkirkara]]

Churches, architecture and notable places

Notable places

Birkirkara is home to many locations of importance.

• Malta Financial Services Authority the financial regulator of Malta has its headquarters in Birkirkara.
• St Aloysius College
• The Wignacourt Aqueduct built in the 17th century.
• St Helen's Basilica, housing Malta's largest church bell.
• Simonds Farsons Cisk - the first brewery on the Island.
• Dar Pirotta
• Dar Papa Frangisku - A homeless shelter run by Caritas Malta
• Villa Chelsea now home to The Richmond Foundation - A Charity offering Rehabilitation Programmes.
• The Old Birkirkara Railway Station which is today located within a public garden is one such place. Malta Railway trains used as means of transportation across the island stopped at this Station. The Railway was closed in 1931.
• Roxy Cinema
• Birkirkara Tower (Ghar il-Gobon)
• Tal-Wejter Tower
• Villa Lauri
• Ta' Ganu Windmill

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/St_Helen_Palace,_Birkirkara.jpg" caption="St Helen Palace, Birkirkara"] ::

Churches

Birkirkara's main religious feast is that of St Helen at St. Helen's Basilica, which is celebrated on 18 August or on the first Sunday after that date. The main event of the celebration is a procession with a wooden statue carved by the Maltese master-sculptor Salvu Psaila. Notably, this is the only procession on the island carried out in the morning. The procession leaves the basilica at exactly 8:00 a.m. and returns to it at 10:45 am. The statue is lifted to shoulder-height by a group of townsmen through the main streets of the town.

• The Church of St. Joseph the Worker
• The Church of St. Mary
• The Church of San Gorg Preca
• The Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• The Church of St Paul B'kara had a previous building on the same site likely to date back to around 1538. Its design was medieval with a slanting roof. The present building known as 'San Pawl tal-Wied' was built in 1852 to 1854 on plans drawn up by Giuseppe Bonavia who was an architect with the Royal Engineers. The clock of the church was made by Michelangelo Sapiano in 1891. The titular painting by Giuseppe Calleja is a reproduction of the original found in the Tre Fontane Church in Rome.

The Church of Our Lady of Victories is a small church found within the narrow streets in the area known as 'Has-Sajjied'. This church was known to have existed as far back as 1575. In the 17th century when the parish church was being built, this church was dismantled to allow easy access to the quarry that was supplying the stones needed. It was erected once again after the 1675–1676 Malta plague epidemic. The present church was built between 1728 and 1736 in the Baroque style. The internal pilasters follow the Tuscan style with the dome featuring floral motifs and emblems of the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Monuments

• Monument of Sir Anthony Mamo
• Niche of All Souls

Birkirkara Local Council

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/Tal-Wejter_Tower,_Birkirkara.jpg" caption="[[Tal-Wejter Tower]], former defence on the valley"] ::

The Birkirkara Local Council forms part of the Birkirkara Civice Centre building. The current Birkirkara local council members are:

• Joanne Debono Grech (Mayor)
• Karl Cutajar (Deputy Mayor)
• Justin Schembri
• Nancy Aquilina
• Rita Borg
• Kaylocke Buhagiar
• Antoine Attard
• Owen Patrick Attard
• John Mary Calleja
• Deborah Mifsud
• John Mizzi
• Marie Claire Zammit Bonello
• Francis Pullicino
• Carmel Attard (Executive Secretary)

Birkirkara community service

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Niche_of_All_Souls_-_Nicca_Tal-Infetti.jpeg" caption="archive-date=5 January 2016}} close to St. Mary Church (Old Church) is a Maltese cultural heritage niche"] ::

• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Church, Triq Fleur-de-Lys (Fleur-de-Lys Road), Fleur-de-Lys
• Our Lady, Mother of the Church Parish Church, Triq il-Graffiti Navali, Swatar
• St. Joseph the Worker Parish Church, Triq il-Bwieraq (Bwieraq Street)
• St. Helen's Parish Church, Triq is-Santwarju (Sanctuary Street)
• St. Mary's Parish Church, Triq il-Knisja l-Qadima (Old Church Street)
• Our Lady of Victory Parish Church, Triq il-Vitorja (Victory Street)
• Birkirkara District Police Station, Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
• Birkirkara Branch Post Office, Triq il-Wied (Valley Road
• Da Vinci Hospital, Triq Kan. K. Pirotta (Can. K. Pirotta Street)
• Birkirkara Health Centre, Triq Tumas Fenech
• Birkirkara Regional Library, Triq Tumas Fenech
• Birkirkara Police Station

Zones in Birkirkara

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Malta_-Birkirkara-Triq_l-Imdina+_Simonds_Farsons_Cisk_01_ies.jpg" caption="Mrieħel"] ::

• Bwieraq
• Fleur-de-Lys
• L-Imrieħel
• Ta' Ganu
• Ta' Paris
• Tal-Qattus
• Is-Swatar
• Ħas-Sajjied

Sport

Birkirkara has a multi-sport club in Birkirkara Saint Joseph Sports Club, mostly known for its Athletics section. However, it also has active sections responsible for cycling, triathlon, swimming, and football, the last of which competes in the Maltese Inter-Amateur Soccer Competition.

Birkirkara F.C. has won the Maltese Premier League four times. Birkirkara F.C. participated in the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League beating West Ham United F.C., only to be eliminated via penalties. Birkirkara also eliminated Heart of Midlothian in the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League. Malta's leader of the opposition Adrian Delia served as Birkirkara F.C. president from 2015-2016 and 2017-2018.

Natives

Iacob Heraclid, the Greco-Maltese adventurer who ruled over Moldavia in the 1560s, was born in the city. Eddie Fenech Adami, who served as Prime Minister and President of Malta, was born there, as was Anthony Mamo, the first President of Malta.

Twin towns – sister cities

Birkirkara is twinned with:

• ITA Grosseto, Italy
• ITA Sorrento, Italy
• ITA Longobardi, Italy
• FRA Carbonne, France

References

References

1. (3 September 2019). "The Malta Government Gazette".
2. "The Malta Government Gazette".
3. "Birkirkara (St Helen)".
4. "Birkirkara (St Joseph the Worker)".
5. "Our Lady of Mount Carmel on The Catholic Directory".
6. "St. Mary on The Catholic Directory".
7. "San Gorg Preca - Parish Church - Swatar, Malta".
8. (1647). "Della Descrizione di Malta Isola nel Mare Siciliano con le sue Antichità, ed Altre Notizie". Paolo Bonacota.
9. "Pullicino, F. (1990) Birkirkara : Isimha... Niesha... Ġrajjietha, 'Programm tal-festa ta' Sant'Elena, Birkirkara', pp.61, 63".
10. (31 August 2011). "Birkirkara, Malta – Information and interests". Malta.com.
11. Malta Independent. (25 June 2005). "Possible Solution for Birkirkara flooding problems in the pipeline – The Malta Independent". Independent.com.mt.
12. (2 October 2016). "Planning Authority".
13. (10 June 2013). "Birkirkara climate and weather". world66.com.
14. Luttrell, Anthony T.. (1981). "The cappella of Birkirkara: 1402".
15. Archidiocesi ta' Malta, Newsletter. (June 2014). "Newsletter ta' l-Archidiocesi ta' Malta Gunju 2014".
16. [https://books.google.com/books?id=oKYVAQAAIAAJ&q=tal-wejter+birkirkara Reports on the Working of Government Departments 1975]. ''Department of Information''. Executive Departments. 1975.
17. (23 October 2011). "Dar Pirotta grateful for government help".
18. "New Home for people with a disability - The Malta Independent".
19. (10 June 2016). "Homeless emergency shelter to open in summer".
20. (2020-03-13). "Dar Papa Franġisku".
21. (26 May 2007). "Villa Chelsea opens its doors".
22. "Old Railway Station – Birkirkara Local Council".
23. Cilia, Johnathan. (29 January 2018). "Only Hours Left Before Classic Cinema In Birkirkara Gets Go-Ahead For Demolition".
24. "Parroċċa Sant' Elena - Birkirkara.".
25. "Sant' Elena - Basilica - Birkirkara, Malta".
26. Brincat, Joe. (2012). "Salvu Psaila (1798-1871)".
27. "FEAST OF ST. HELEN - Visitmalta - The official tourism website for Malta, Gozo and Comino.".
28. Cassar, George. (2019). "A Taste of the History, Culture and Environment of the Central Region of Malta". Kite Group Malta.
29. "Madonna tal-Vitorja - Chapel - Birkirkara, Malta".
30. (7 July 2009). "One World - Protecting the most significant buildings, monuments and features of Maltese Islands (17)".
31. "Mayor and Councillors".
32. "Archived copy".
33. (20 June 2017). "Birkirkara St.Joseph Sports Club :: Athletics". Bkarastjoseph.com.
34. "Birkirkara St.Joseph Sports Club :: Cycling". Bkarastjoseph.com.
35. "Birkirkara St.Joseph Sports Club :: Triathlon". Bkarastjoseph.com.
36. (12 July 2017). "Birkirkara St.Joseph Sports Club :: Swimming". Bkarastjoseph.com.
37. "Birkirkara St.Joseph Sports Club :: Home". Bkarastjoseph.com.
38. "Birkirkara St.Joseph Sports Club :: Football". Bkarastjoseph.com.
39. (6 December 1996). "The Club History". Birkirkara FC.
40. Hafez, Shamoon. (23 July 2015). "Birkirkara 1-0 West Ham (3–5 on pens) – BBC Sport". Bbc.com.
41. (23 July 2015). "Brave Birkirkara eliminated as West Ham win penalty shoot-out". MaltaToday.com.mt.
42. Allied Newspapers Ltd. (23 July 2015). "Update 3 – Agony for Birkirkara as West Ham beat them in penalty shoot-out". Timesofmalta.com.
43. (23 July 2015). "Birkirkara 1 – 0 West Ham – Match Report & Highlights". Skysports.com.
44. (22 July 2016). "Updated – Watch Birkirkara's two goals against Hearts as Stripes make European history – The Malta Independent". Independent.com.mt.
45. Wilson, Richard. (21 July 2016). "Heart of Midlothian 1–2 Birkirkara (1–2) – BBC Sport". Bbc.com.
46. Gordon Parks. (21 July 2016). "Hearts 1 Birkirkara 2: Three things we learned as Maltese minnows send Jambos crashing out". Daily Record.
47. (21 July 2016). "Europa League – Hearts shocked by Birkirkara Hibernian lose on penalties". Espn Fc.
48. (23 May 2017). "Administration". Birkirkara FC.
49. "Birkirkara FC - Presidents".
50. "Twinning". Government of Malta.

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