Discover Ħal Għaxaq: Festivals, Church Art and Historic Chapels

Ħal Għaxaq combines a strong cultural and festive tradition with a townscape that is predominantly residential and surrounded by agricultural land. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home can therefore combine historic buildings, lively local festivals and distinctive destinations focusing on different themes. Particularly impressive are the parish church of the Assumption, the unusual Dar tal-Bebbux house and the chapels in the tal-Barrani area.

Churches and unusual buildings

The religious history of Għaxaq goes back a long way: by 1511 at the latest, there was a church here dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. The present parish church of the Assumption was built from 1733 onwards. Its façade has three bays on two levels. An intricately ornamented main portal with a sculpted coat of arms provides a particularly striking focal point. For visitors interested in church art and historic townscapes, the church therefore offers several specific details on which to focus during a tour.

A completely different architectural feature is Dar tal-Bebbux. The 19th-century house has hundreds of snails and shells on its façade. Statues of Saint Joseph and Saint Andrew stand in two niches on the main façade; the building has three niches in total. Dar tal-Bebbux is also protected as a Grade 2 scheduled building. The more than 100-year-old statues and plinths in the street decorations of the Saint Mary Band Club show that historic furnishings and festive decorations also form part of the town’s cultural character.

Festivals with music, processions and fireworks

The feast of Saint Joseph is celebrated every year on the first Sunday in June. During the feast, traditional Maltese band marches are played and street concerts are held. Firework displays also take place during feast week. A devotional procession carrying the statue of Saint Joseph through the streets of Għaxaq brings the celebrations to a close. The Saint Joseph Band Club was founded in 1874 to organise and enhance the feast. When planning your trip, you can therefore decide whether you primarily want to get to know the town through music, religious traditions, street decorations or community events.

Another cultural event is the Għaxaq Music Festival. It lasts between two and five days and takes place before the Santa Maria feast in August. The festival began in 1998 as a street concert. Those planning a trip around this period can therefore experience a different musical focus from that of the feast of Saint Joseph. Both themes are suitable for aligning your accommodation search with your own interests and preferred travel period.

Chapels and historic routes

In the tal-Barrani area, more precisely in ta’ Kalamija, lies the Christ the Redeemer chapel, known as Santu Kristu. The 19th-century chapel became a pilgrimage site of votive significance. The Camino Maltés pilgrimage route passes close to Santu Kristu or directly by the chapel. A second chapel on the outskirts of Għaxaq in the tal-Barrani area is dated to 1535 and described as a building from the early 16th century. Those who enjoy combining religious culture with a section of a route will find specific destinations here for planning a themed day without having to limit their stay to a single festival.

Choose your accommodation based on your travel plans

When searching for a holiday apartment in Ħal Għaxaq, you can first choose between a festival-focused and a cultural-historical approach to your trip. Those who want to experience community festival culture can plan their trip around the relevant date; for cultural-historical days, the parish church, Dar tal-Bebbux and the chapels of tal-Barrani offer useful points of orientation.

The predominantly residential structure and the surrounding agricultural land give Ħal Għaxaq its own distinctive character. For your further selection, you can also visit the pages on Xemxija, Vittoriosa, Marsalforn, Nadur, Santa Venera, Pembroke, Mellieħa and Hal Kirkop.

For the main travel overview: Malta.