Anna Maria’s guidebook

Anna Maria
Anna Maria’s guidebook

City/town information

Zebbug: the home of olive groves Zebbug or Città Rohan is one of the oldest towns in Malta with a population of around 13,000 people. The Parish Church is dedicated to St. Philip, whose feast is on the 12th of May, but in the village it is celebrated on the second Sunday of June. The word Zebbug means olives in Maltese, and so, the town gets its name from the large olive groves that use to stand around the current location of the town centre. Haz-Zebbug was given the title of Città Rohan by Grandmaster Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc in 1777. On such occasions, the locals used to build a gate to serve as an entrance to the city, and the people of Haz-Zebbug did the same. The gateway still stands today. When Malta was under the Knights, Zebbuġ was a key town; both because of prime corsairs who lived here and also because of the thriving cotton industry. The splendour of St. Philip's Church is the prime evidence of importance of Zebbuġ in the Maltese history. There were some prehistoric remains found in Haz-Zebbug, such as pottery and tombs in the area known as Ta' Trapna. Punic and Phoenician tombs and a number of cart ruts were also found around the town. Zebbug: Things to see and do The City gate: Built in the 18th century, this beautiful gate served as the entrance to the city. Visit the parish church: The parish church dedicated to St. Philip is a museum of architecture, art and sculpture. The current parish church was built in the late seventeenth century. It was designed by Tumas Dingli and boasts an impressive titular painting by Luca Garnier and two superb murals by Francesco Zahra. The church also treasures other artefacts attributed to Guido Reni and Antonio Sciortino. The statue of St. Philip was created by Luigi Fontana in 1864 and is considered to be one of the greatest in Malta. Go to the festa: The festa is also dedicated to St. Philip, and is celebrated in the second week of June. It offers spectacular aerial and ground fireworks, as well as a procession with the statue and brass bands playing cheerful marches. West-Malta Haz-Zebbug, Malta Population : 12892 Local council : Bishop Caruana Street, Żebbuġ, Malta ZBG 1905, Phone: +356 21468181
Haz-Zebbug
Zebbug: the home of olive groves Zebbug or Città Rohan is one of the oldest towns in Malta with a population of around 13,000 people. The Parish Church is dedicated to St. Philip, whose feast is on the 12th of May, but in the village it is celebrated on the second Sunday of June. The word Zebbug means olives in Maltese, and so, the town gets its name from the large olive groves that use to stand around the current location of the town centre. Haz-Zebbug was given the title of Città Rohan by Grandmaster Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc in 1777. On such occasions, the locals used to build a gate to serve as an entrance to the city, and the people of Haz-Zebbug did the same. The gateway still stands today. When Malta was under the Knights, Zebbuġ was a key town; both because of prime corsairs who lived here and also because of the thriving cotton industry. The splendour of St. Philip's Church is the prime evidence of importance of Zebbuġ in the Maltese history. There were some prehistoric remains found in Haz-Zebbug, such as pottery and tombs in the area known as Ta' Trapna. Punic and Phoenician tombs and a number of cart ruts were also found around the town. Zebbug: Things to see and do The City gate: Built in the 18th century, this beautiful gate served as the entrance to the city. Visit the parish church: The parish church dedicated to St. Philip is a museum of architecture, art and sculpture. The current parish church was built in the late seventeenth century. It was designed by Tumas Dingli and boasts an impressive titular painting by Luca Garnier and two superb murals by Francesco Zahra. The church also treasures other artefacts attributed to Guido Reni and Antonio Sciortino. The statue of St. Philip was created by Luigi Fontana in 1864 and is considered to be one of the greatest in Malta. Go to the festa: The festa is also dedicated to St. Philip, and is celebrated in the second week of June. It offers spectacular aerial and ground fireworks, as well as a procession with the statue and brass bands playing cheerful marches. West-Malta Haz-Zebbug, Malta Population : 12892 Local council : Bishop Caruana Street, Żebbuġ, Malta ZBG 1905, Phone: +356 21468181

Food scene

This restaurant is very popular and early booking is recommended.
Tax-Xiha Bistro And Pizzeria
Triq IL-Kbira
This restaurant is very popular and early booking is recommended.
This is a fine dining place with typical Maltese food. This restaurant is full of architectural features typical of Maltese old buildings.
Lokomotif Kafe
Misrah San Filippu
This is a fine dining place with typical Maltese food. This restaurant is full of architectural features typical of Maltese old buildings.
The Pancake Parlour
99 Triq IL-Kbira
If you need fresh fruit and veg or any daily needs, the Zebbug open market deserves a visit. This is situation in the main square close to the Church
Market place
Triq Sciortino
If you need fresh fruit and veg or any daily needs, the Zebbug open market deserves a visit. This is situation in the main square close to the Church

Sightseeing

The Parish Church of St Philip of Agira (Maltese: Knisja Arċipretali ta' San Filippu t'Aġġira) is a Roman Catholic parish church in Żebbuġ, Malta, dedicated to Saint Philip of Agira. Original Church The original church was built on a land belonging to Filippo de Catania, a Sicilian entrepreneur, who also financed the construction of the same church in 1380. The land was in an area between three separate small villages known as Ħal Muxi, Ħal Dwin and Ħal Mula. By time these villages were merged to form present day Ħaż-Żebbuġ. The original medieval church was completed in 1412. The church was already a parish in 1436 since it was mentioned by Bishop Senatore de Mello as one of the 12 parish churches in Malta. Present Church Following the Great Siege of Malta the people of Żebbuġ felt that a larger church had to be built to replace the now small parish church. The present church was built between 1599 and 1632 on plans attributed to Vittorio Cassar and was enlarged by the architect Tommaso Dingli in 1660. The same architect is said to have worked on the carving of the choir. The church was dedicated on 13 May 1729.[1] The church was most modified in 1913 when the side aisles were added.[2] The church is listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.[3] Works of Art The titular statue of St Philip of Agira is made entirely of silver. In 1860, the people of Żebbuġ started collecting money which would enable them to order the titular statue which they wanted. The collection was so great that it was decided to build the statue in silver instead of the more usual wood. The statue was completed in 1864, by Luigi Fontana. When it was completed it was taken to the Vatican, where it was presented and blessed by Pope Pius IX. The church also includes a number of beautiful paintings. Luca Garnier painted the titular painting above the high altar. It depicts St Philip of Agira performing a miracle while holding a cross towards a possessed man who is brought before him. Francesco Zahra, an 18th-century artist of the Favray school, painted two murals. Other treasures include works of art by Guido Reni and Antonio Sciortino, who hailed from the village.
St Philip Church
Sqaq Il-Knisja
The Parish Church of St Philip of Agira (Maltese: Knisja Arċipretali ta' San Filippu t'Aġġira) is a Roman Catholic parish church in Żebbuġ, Malta, dedicated to Saint Philip of Agira. Original Church The original church was built on a land belonging to Filippo de Catania, a Sicilian entrepreneur, who also financed the construction of the same church in 1380. The land was in an area between three separate small villages known as Ħal Muxi, Ħal Dwin and Ħal Mula. By time these villages were merged to form present day Ħaż-Żebbuġ. The original medieval church was completed in 1412. The church was already a parish in 1436 since it was mentioned by Bishop Senatore de Mello as one of the 12 parish churches in Malta. Present Church Following the Great Siege of Malta the people of Żebbuġ felt that a larger church had to be built to replace the now small parish church. The present church was built between 1599 and 1632 on plans attributed to Vittorio Cassar and was enlarged by the architect Tommaso Dingli in 1660. The same architect is said to have worked on the carving of the choir. The church was dedicated on 13 May 1729.[1] The church was most modified in 1913 when the side aisles were added.[2] The church is listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.[3] Works of Art The titular statue of St Philip of Agira is made entirely of silver. In 1860, the people of Żebbuġ started collecting money which would enable them to order the titular statue which they wanted. The collection was so great that it was decided to build the statue in silver instead of the more usual wood. The statue was completed in 1864, by Luigi Fontana. When it was completed it was taken to the Vatican, where it was presented and blessed by Pope Pius IX. The church also includes a number of beautiful paintings. Luca Garnier painted the titular painting above the high altar. It depicts St Philip of Agira performing a miracle while holding a cross towards a possessed man who is brought before him. Francesco Zahra, an 18th-century artist of the Favray school, painted two murals. Other treasures include works of art by Guido Reni and Antonio Sciortino, who hailed from the village.
Open first Sundays of the month and by appointment. In 1592 the first bubonic plague epidemic hit the Maltese Islands, probably brought over by the galleys of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. About 3000 people died of this severe disease and a certain Tumas Vassallo and his wife Katarin initiated the building of this chapel the same year. St Roque is considered to be the protector of those suffering from the plague and other chapels dedicated to this saint were built in Valletta, Balzan and Birkirkara. According to tradition St Roque was himself infected by the plague but was cured by a dog licking his sores. This is why St Roque is always represented with a dog next to his feet. The Chapel is a simple architectural structure roofed with stone slabs on three arches which divide it into four bays. It measures eight metres long and seven metres wide and has no side openings. It possesses a single arched belfry which still has a small bell. The painting of St Roque above the main altar is an early seventeenth century work by an unknown artist and was restored in 1989. I n 1980 the Archbishop Mons Joseph Mercieca handed over the church management to Din l-Art Helwa on a 150 year lease, and in 1989, on the initiative of the Hon Michael Bonnici MP, it was inaugurated. The Chapel of St. Roque in Main Street, Zebbug, was reopened by Din l-Art Helwa on 3rd April 2007, following the restoration of the interior of the chapel. Its contents – an exhibition celebrating Maltese patriots and artists born in Zebbug – were refurbished and enhanced to a modern state of presentation. This work was made possible with the financial support of ‘Round Table One’. The Chapel was reopened by Mrs Simone Mizzi, Council Member of Din l-Art Helwa, and Edward Xuereb, Honorary Secretary General, together with Steve Ganado and Joseph Messina of the Association of Round Tables. The research and presentation of the exhibition was coordinated by Simone Mizzi and the chapel’s custodian, Michael Bonnici. The Chapel is the only one amongst the fourteen chapels of Zebbug to survive in its original form. Its collection of exhibits consists of early 20th Century photographs of Zebbug and its numerous chapels, and memorabilia and artifacts dedicated to the numerous important personalities born in Zebbug. Amongst these are patriots such as Dun Mikiel Xerri, Bishop Francis Saviour Caruana, the ‘Father of the Maltese Language’ Mikiel Anton Vassalli, Malta’s National Poet Dun Karm Psaila, and well known artists Lazzaro Pisani, Francis Saviour Sciortino and Antonio Sciortino, whose works of art adorn many places in Malta.
St. Roque's Chapel (aka Our Lady of Light)
Triq IL Villegaignon
Open first Sundays of the month and by appointment. In 1592 the first bubonic plague epidemic hit the Maltese Islands, probably brought over by the galleys of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. About 3000 people died of this severe disease and a certain Tumas Vassallo and his wife Katarin initiated the building of this chapel the same year. St Roque is considered to be the protector of those suffering from the plague and other chapels dedicated to this saint were built in Valletta, Balzan and Birkirkara. According to tradition St Roque was himself infected by the plague but was cured by a dog licking his sores. This is why St Roque is always represented with a dog next to his feet. The Chapel is a simple architectural structure roofed with stone slabs on three arches which divide it into four bays. It measures eight metres long and seven metres wide and has no side openings. It possesses a single arched belfry which still has a small bell. The painting of St Roque above the main altar is an early seventeenth century work by an unknown artist and was restored in 1989. I n 1980 the Archbishop Mons Joseph Mercieca handed over the church management to Din l-Art Helwa on a 150 year lease, and in 1989, on the initiative of the Hon Michael Bonnici MP, it was inaugurated. The Chapel of St. Roque in Main Street, Zebbug, was reopened by Din l-Art Helwa on 3rd April 2007, following the restoration of the interior of the chapel. Its contents – an exhibition celebrating Maltese patriots and artists born in Zebbug – were refurbished and enhanced to a modern state of presentation. This work was made possible with the financial support of ‘Round Table One’. The Chapel was reopened by Mrs Simone Mizzi, Council Member of Din l-Art Helwa, and Edward Xuereb, Honorary Secretary General, together with Steve Ganado and Joseph Messina of the Association of Round Tables. The research and presentation of the exhibition was coordinated by Simone Mizzi and the chapel’s custodian, Michael Bonnici. The Chapel is the only one amongst the fourteen chapels of Zebbug to survive in its original form. Its collection of exhibits consists of early 20th Century photographs of Zebbug and its numerous chapels, and memorabilia and artifacts dedicated to the numerous important personalities born in Zebbug. Amongst these are patriots such as Dun Mikiel Xerri, Bishop Francis Saviour Caruana, the ‘Father of the Maltese Language’ Mikiel Anton Vassalli, Malta’s National Poet Dun Karm Psaila, and well known artists Lazzaro Pisani, Francis Saviour Sciortino and Antonio Sciortino, whose works of art adorn many places in Malta.

Consejos para la ciudad

Cómo moverse

Hiking trails in Zebbug

https://www.wikiloc.com/trails/hiking/malta/haz-zebbug
Cómo moverse

Bus routes

Use this link to check bus routes: https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/routes-timetables
Cómo moverse

Bank

The only Bank in Zebbug is Bank of Valletta which is situated close to the Church and it has an ATM. There is another ATM which belongs to HSBC and is close to the other ATM.
Costumbres y cultura

Visits to Valletta and Mdina are a must.

Also, if you have enough time a trip you should also visit the three Cities in the south and Gozo.