Attard

Etymology

The name of Attard is thought to have been derived from a surname. Maybe the first person who lived in the village was surnamed Attard. Nobody knows really what the word Attard means. Some say it means blossoms as the word Attar means fresh oil of the flowers. Most Probably it comes from the Arabic Atr meaning perfume.

Municipality

As a municipality with its own local government structure since 1994, Attard covers a surface area of about seven square kilometers. Its population, including the modern estate of Misrah Kola and surrounding environs, is around 10,000. It comprises to its North, facing the city of Mdina, the flat expanse called Ta Qali. Beneath it the area known as Tal-Idward joins with Misrah Kola, across from Wied San Martin (St Martins Valley), Wied Incita (Valley of Instigation) and Wied Irmiedi (Valley of Ashes), on the Zebbug side.

Its western front is bordered by Wied is-Sewda (Black Valley), on the Qormi side. This is an anciently inhabited area known as Tax-Xarolla or That ir-Rahal and contains the "Tax-Xarolla Catacombs". On 3 September 1935 in a field known as Ta Farrat near the Xarolla Windmill, a tomb was found dating to the periods of the Carthaginians and Phoenicians, alongside later Roman pottery remains. On 13 June 1930, a Roman tomb was uncovered nearby.

To its East, up to Tal-Mirakli (of the Miracles) chapel on the Lija side, is a large zone called Ta Fgieni bordering the village core and the 17th Century parish church at its center, built by architect Tumas Dingli. Dingli, born and bred in Attard, is best known for his work on the Wignacourt Aqueduct, Porta Reale (the entrance into Valletta) and several churches. Of these, only Attards parish church (with its idiosyncratic facade) remains unaltered. South of the village core is the SantAnton Quarter, named for San Anton Palace and the palaces botanic gardens, both built by the Knights between 1623 and 1636. It is now the official residence of the President of Malta and has long been a symbol of Attard.

Development

During the 1980s Attard experienced a boost in development, reflected in the large-scale construction surrounding the village center. However the area surrounding the church and the SantAnton Quarter feature a number of converted farmhouses (recognizable through their wooden doors and flat, rustic roofs) and residences built by the Knights of St John, surrounding the summer palace. Attard is also the location of the St Catherine Nursing Home, one of the largest in the Maltese Islands. The Attard Primary School serves as a polling station during elections and like all other localities in Malta, Attard Local Council elections are held every three years.

An increase in entertainment and commercial enterprise has seen development along Triq il-Pitkalija (Pitkalija Road) and nearby the village center, with various retail outlets catering to the village all within walking distance of St Marys Parish Church. The village center is a hive of activity, especially on Sundays when residents of Attard mingle with fellow churchgoers.

Attard celebrates the feast of the Assumption of Mary on 15 August. The 15 August is a national holiday on the Maltese islands. The parishs current parish priest is Noel Vassallo.

The Maltese surname "Attard" is possibly linked to the village (another derivation for the surname is the Italian town of "Atti" in Bologna.)

Clubs and societies

The Malta Amateur Radio League club house is situated in Attard and is the representative body for amateur radio in Malta. Since MARL was established in 1922, its aim was to bring together people interested in amateur radio/electronics and discuss and defend amateur radio matters with the local authorities. It provides educational facilities for members with interest in amateur radio/electronics and also an equipped amateur radio station. MARL corresponds and expresses its ideas with local and foreign same-interest groups, providing its members the facilities of a two-way QSL Bureau as well as financing and maintaining VHF & Analog television repeaters and beacons.

The musical society of La Stella Levantina (Eastern Star) is the first of its kind in the village (formed in 1894). It organizes the major activities of the village feast held during 11 -15 August, including band marches and feast decorations. It teaches music (at no cost) in its local club, situated in the center of the village.

Notable residents

The Presidents official residence, San Anton Palace, is situated in Attard. Within walking distance of the Presidents residence is the official residence of the United States Ambassador to Malta. The Tunisian embassy to Malta is located in Attard.

Gerald Strickland was also a resident of Attard, at Villa Bologna.

Attard is also home to Archbishop Paul Cremona and Tiffany Pisani, the winner of Britains Next Top Model season 6.

San Anton Palace and Gardens

SantAnton is not only rich in artistic and historical legacies, but has been a historical center for entertainment and celebrations and a constant job-provider and place of apprenticeship for Attards residents. The palace has greeted numerous royalty across the centuries, including Queen Marie of Romania, the Russian Empress Marie Feodorovna, King Edward VII and Queen Elizabeth II. It has seen the most distinguished visitors in contrasting personal situations - Napoleons younger brother Louis Bonaparte as a prisoner, the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge as an admiring recluse.

Governor Borton opened its botanic gardens to the public in 1882 for picnics and strolls. Its shaded open courtyards and gardens regularly host extremely popular fairs and competitions celebrating plants, flowers, pedigree (and non-pedigree) animals and livestock. A dramatic company put on a Shakespeare Festival every summer (this has since been discontinued) and music recitals, from chamber orchestras to jazz quarters, often patronize the gardens.

During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2005, hosted by Malta, the Presidents Palace in Attard served as a residence for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

Malta Financial Services Authority

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has its headquarters in Attard. The MFSA has taken over those supervisory functions that were previously conducted by the Central Bank of Malta, the Malta Stock Exchange and the Malta Financial Services Centre and is now an important regulator for financial services. The sector incorporates all financial activity especially investment, banking and insurance.

Sport

Attard is the home of Attard F.C., currently competing in Maltas Third Division.