Bubaqra

Bubaqra
Administrative Committee
Kumitat Amministrattiv ta' Bubaqra
Country  Malta
Island Malta
Suburb of Żurrieq
Population
 • Total 2,000
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code ZRQ
Dialing code 356

Bubaqra is a hamlet with its own administrative division in Żurrieq, Malta.[1] It is a small rural village between Nigret and Ħal Far. It has a population of 2,000 people. Even though it is one of the oldest areas in this village, many new buildings are being constructed, and this area is searched most by newlyweds who come to live in this quiet, airy area. At the centre of this zone is the small church St Mary's Church, Żurrieq, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. A few metres away, there is also the churchyard of this village dedicated to St. Leon.

Overview

The area was mentioned by Giovanni Francesco Abela in 1647 as Dejr el Bakar meaning house (territory) of the cows.[2] Also known as Bvbakra (Bubaqra) literally meaning father of the cows.[3][4] According to Godfrey Wittinger, Bakar may be a direct reference to god that wakes the villagers, or a reference to a cowman who gives milk from his cows - which in the first case would origin from the Arab period, while the second case origins from the Siculo-Arabic influence or Italian from the word Vaccaro.[5]

In 1579, the Bubaqra Tower was built on the outskirts of this zone. It was built as a country retreat by a member of the Order of St. John, and was used for defensive purposes at some points. The tower is currently privately owned, and it has been restored.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Schembri, David (7 September 2014). "Artistic anarchy in Bubaqra: For artist Ryan Falzon punk is a four-lettered world as David Schembri finds out". Times of Malta. OCLC 220797156. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016.
  2. ↑ Abela, Giovanni Francesco (1647). Della Descrizione di Malta Isola nel Mare Siciliano con le sue Antichità, ed Altre Notizie (in Italian). Paolo Bonacota. p. 95.
  3. ↑ Abela, Giovanni Francesco (1647). Della Descrizione di Malta Isola nel Mare Siciliano con le sue Antichità, ed Altre Notizie (in Italian). Paolo Bonacota. p. 103.
  4. ↑ Temple, Grenville (1836). Excursions in the Mediterranean. Conduit Street, London: Sauders and Otley. p. 204. OCLC 38129260.
  5. ↑ Ebied, Rifaat Y.; Young, M. J. L. (2 April 1980). "Oriental Studies". Brill Archive – via Google Books.
  6. ↑ Attard, Mary (22 November 2014). "Preti, Ball and catacombs". Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 20 November 2015.

Coordinates: 35°49′31.1″N 14°28′46.5″E / 35.825306°N 14.479583°E / 35.825306; 14.479583

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