MALTA GOES RURAL
Windmills Walk (Zurrieq - Safi Walk)
walk
MALTA GOES RURAL
walk
Windmills Walk (Zurrieq - Safi Walk)
This circular walk starts from the Żurrieq village centre at the bus terminus and will take us through Żurrieq and Safi, as well as the surrounding countryside.
it reaches the newly-built residences on the perimeter of the village of Safi. The country road ends where two asphalted roads commence at right angles to each other. On the left there is Triq il-Feniċi, while straight ahead, as if in continuation of the country road, the road carries the name of the Bee-Eater bird, Triq Qerd in-Naħal 21 . Keep on straight ahead, and soon one is in Triq San Tumas. This street is narrow and winding, and it leads to a small square called Misraħ San Ġużepp. One can see a corner niche depicting St Joseph, and a water pump. Keep walking along the street on your left and soon you will come into Safi’s main square. This is the second village through which our walk will take us. Safi’s main square is dominated by the parish church, dedicated to the Conversion of St Paul. Next to it there is a large building today used by the Dominican Nuns. Take some time to visit the Safi Church (if it is open) and the nearby church dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady which is surrounded by a number of Jacaranda trees. Nearby you will also see the traditional stone cross known in Maltese as Is-salib tad-dejma which in days gone by served as the rendezvous point for the town crier heralding official edicts, as well as for the official milita. With the main church on your right proceed further along the main road, which carries the name of Triq iż-Żurrieq 22 About 200 metres up, on your left, the buildings retreat from the main road to form a small triangular open space. Between the pedestrian pavement and the buildings the remnants of an old Roman Wall are visible. Keep walking and soon the Xarolla Windmill comes into full view. You are now re-entering Żurrieq.
There is ample parking in the area, or else one can reach Żurrieq by public transport. Although there are some areas going uphill, this walk can be done either on foot or by bike. Just keep in mind that some countryside roads may be quite bumpy. Facing the terminus, one can notice the Parish Church, dedicated to St Catherine of Alexandria. You will have enough time to visit the church at the end of the walk (if it is open). Leave us your feedback.
Rural Development Programme for Malta 2007 - 2013 Axis 3 - Improving the Quality of Life in Rural Areas Project part-financed by the European Union The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Co-financing Rate: 75% European Union, 25% Government of Malta Europe Investing in Rural Areas
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Our walk starts by taking the first street on the left-hand side of the bus terminus, Triq il-Ħaddiema 1 . Walk along this narrow street until you come to an open space dominated by an old palace, Palazzo Armeria, which was used as the depository of armour for the local militia. Soon you will come to a Y-junction. Take the road on your right. After a few metres you will come to another Y-junction. This time take the road on your left 2 . Soon you will reach an open space called Misraħ Lazzru, where old buildings are surrounded by modern structures. Take the first road on your right (Triq Warda). Strolling along this short and winding street, you will quickly reach Triq San Ġwann 3 on the left. Walk a few metres until you reach the first turning to the right. This is Triq San Ġorġ. Whilst walking through these streets you will notice the various religious niches and statues honouring saints. Triq San Ġorġ gives way to Triq il-Kunċizzjoni on the left 4 .
This area is interesting since the Xarolla windmill proudly stands over a honeycomb of catacombs and is flanked by an old church dedicated to St Andrew. Opposite this complex, on the other side of the road, there is an old workshop and, if you are lucky to find it open, do have a look inside. This is a horse-shoer, or a farrier, quite a necessary trade in this area in days gone by. The windmill is open on Saturday and Sunday morning and entrance is against a nominal fee. Note that this is the only fullyworking windmill in the Maltese Islands so a visit is a must. With the windmill and the chapel behind you, cross the busy street and take the left-hand street 23 . This is Triq Sant’Andrija. Walking along this street, keep to the lefthand side 24 . You are now in Triq il-Karmnu.
This rural street goes uphill and at the top there is the locality’s church, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. Keep walking along the same road which flanks the church on the right. After a few metres take the side road on the right 5 which is Triq San Mark. Triq San Mark will soon give way to Triq il-Mitħna (Mill Street). Once in Triq il-Mitħna, turn left and proceed uphill. This road is aptly named since a few metres further up you will come face to face with the first of the four windmills. This windmill is named il-Mitħna ta’ Marmara.
Keep walking along this road 25 until you reach a very small opening. Keep to the left 26 . You are now in the actual village core, and these are probably the oldest village streets, typically very narrow and winding. Soon you come out in the main square, behind the Żurrieq main church. Once in the main square, take the road on your left 27 . A few metres up the road turn right 28 into Triq l-Iben il-Ħali which opens into Triq Bronja. Turn right 29 and after a few metres turn right again 30 . You are now facing the last of the four windmills that Żurrieq houses. Known as tas-Salib (after the dejma cross on the other side), this windmill is now the private residence of the descendants of the last miller in Żurrieq.
Notice that on the right-hand side there is a millstone for the grinding of wheat and barley. Keep walking along this street 6 until you reach another windmill, known as il-Mitħna Tal- Qaret, today a private residence. Keeping to the right of the windmill, one can proceed a few more metres to reach Ġnien il-Ġibjun, where there is a panoramic view of the surrounding area. In the distance the small island of Filfla can also be glimpsed. Take same time to relax and admire the surrounding countryside.
Turn left 31 and after a couple of metres turn right 32 into Triq is-Sindku. At the end of this road turn right and keep walking straight ahead. Soon the small church dedicated to St. James comes into view. Further down the road, in a small opening, you will also see another traditional village cross. Keep walking along this road and the Żurrieq main church comes into view. This church, which started being built in the 17th century, today houses famous works of art with the titular painting dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria painted by the famous Italian artist Mattia Preti il calabrese (1613 - 1699). Once out, you can enjoy a snack or a drink from one of the local band clubs or one of the many village pubs which are situated in the main square or nearby.
Once outside the garden, turn right 7 . Soon you will reach the back of Ġnien il-Ġibjun. Follow the signs 8 9 which will lead you back to the tal-Qaret Windmill. Turn right 10 into Triq in-Nigret, which is the name of the zone where we are. Keep following the 11 12 . After a while you will have to turn into Triq l. Xuereb 13 . Turn right, and then first left into the street called Triq Santa Fawstina 14 . At the end of this street, you will notice a large rubble wall which forms part of the perimeter of the Bubaqra Tower. Turn left and keep walking along the perimeter of the wall. Soon the 16th century tower will come in full view. Keep walking along Triq it-Tin 15 . At the end turn right and take the second left into Triq ir-Rettur Dun Salv Farrugia 16. Soon the Bubaqra church will come into view. Turn left and walk all the length of Triq Santa Marija. At the end of this road take the road on your right 17 . Keep walking along the winding road, then turn right until you reach the small church dedicated to St. Agatha. This church occupies the little space that there is between the public road and the fields around it. Turn right 18 and start walking along Triq Ħal-Far. You are now in full countryside and, depending on the season, you may notice the different crops as well as the occasional farmer tending to his fields. After a while you will come across the Tal-Bakkari archaeological and medieval remains. Take the first road on your left 19 . This winding road is also a countryside road. Following it you will soon find yourself in an area known as Ta’ Ħlantun, apparently a derivation of Raħal Anton (the village of Anton). Here you can take some time to rest before you walk on, enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the countryside. With your back to the road you came from, keep walking to the road opposite 20 . This country road is narrow, winding and passes through farmland and after a while
Our walk continues along the main road (with our back to the church’s main door). On the left-hand side of the street, one notices a marble plaque on the wall of the corner house. This commemorates Monsignor Profs. P.P. Saydon (1895-1971), a renowned local academic prelate who translated the bible from the original Greek and Jewish languages into Maltese. Keep walking down this road and soon you will find yourself at the bus terminus where our walk ends. 1
Bus route No 71 operates the following route: Valletta - Floriana - Hamrun - Marsa - Luqa - Kirkop - Safi - Zurrieq Bus route No 73 operates the following route: Valletta - Floriana - Hamrun - Marsa - San Vincenz/Luqa - Hal-Farrug - Luqa - Kirkop - Safi - Zurrieq
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It is the responsibility of individuals to approach outdoor activities with caution. Walking and any
Length of walk approx 8.8km other countryside activity can be strenuous or dangerous and individuals should ensure that they are fit enough before embarking upon it. The MTA will not be held responsible for any loss of personal items and injuries of individuals following this walk.
Be Prepared… be sure to wear a comfortable pair of walking shoes and clothing which is appropriate for the time of the year. Allow enough time to complete the walk in broad daylight. Make allowances for time required for resting, taking photographs and observing nature and/or places of interest. In some of the walks you will come across churches and other places of religious devotion. Please keep in mind that these are places of worship and due respect must be given if approaching or entering such places. One should not wander in such places if an official religious function is underway. Please keep in mind that on the Maltese Islands, cars drive on the left hand side. Maltese is the official language of the Maltese Islands and an official EU language. The Maltese language is spoken only on the Maltese Islands. Road signs in Malta are in Maltese. Some basic translations that will help you throughout the walk: Triq - Street, Vjal - Avenue, Sqaq - Alley, Ġnien - Garden, Mitħna - Windmill. Plan ahead and follow all the signs throughout the route. This is the Blue Walk so please follow the blue signs. It is very easy to get distracted by the surrounding scenery while taking your country walk. Short cuts are to be avoided as many fields are privately owned. You will encounter many ‘RTO’ signs meaning ‘Riservato’. The markings indicate private property.
the road
Tips for
Emergency Number: 112 More information on places of interest such as churches, can be found on the informational panels that are installed along this route. Be culturally sensitive and respect local customs. Take photographs but respect the privacy of others. Respect the fragility of the countryside. Do not climb over rubble walls or throw stones into valleys or over cliffs. Refrain from taking any ‘souvenirs’ back home with you. Do not disturb animals, plants or their natural habitats. Leave only your footprint behind you and nothing else. In some valleys and gorges, mobile phone reception may be poor or there may be none at all. Cliff tops are magnificent areas but they also present potential hazards. Always keep a safe distance from the cliff edges, especially on windy days, or if the ground is covered by loose gravel or is slippery due to rainfall. Bird trapping and hunting are practised in the countryside. There are, however, strict regulations determining areas where such activities are permitted and the time of the year when no such activities are allowed.
MALTA GOES RURAL
Windmills Walk (Zurrieq - Safi Walk) Safi Parish Church
22
SAFI
St. Andrew Church
WALK AREA
21
24
Żurrieq Parish Church
Bicycle
Xarolla Windmill and Catacombs
INFORMATION
RESTAURANT
1 33
Palazzo Armeria
23
26
END
START
25
walk
Dejma Cross
ŻURRIEQ
27
2
CHURCH
28
30 3
Salib Windmill
29
17
18
HERITAGE SITE
St Agatha Church
32
WINDMILL
BUS STOP
20
4
15
Immaculate Conception Church
Bubaqra Tower
5
11
6
Bubaqra Church
12
10
7
Tal-Gibjun Garden
16
13
14 9 8
Marmara Windmill and Millstone
Qaret Windmill
19
Bakkari Remains
t
* It is the responsibility of individuals to approach outdoor activities with caution. Walking and any other countryside activity can be strenuous or dangerous and individuals should ensure that they are fit enough before embarking upon it. The MTA will not be held responsible for any loss of personal items and injuries of individuals following this walk.