Santa Luċija - 50 years young

On March 2, 1960 - 50 years ago today - a family was the first to settle in the newly established housing estate, planned sometime in 1957, on an area bordered by Gudja, Luqa and Tarxien, from which it is separated by the Tal-Barrani Road. On survey maps the area was known as Tal-Blata l-Bajda (of the white rock).

From notes by the late Carmel J. Mallia, which I possess, the first residents in the new housing estate used to refer to the place as "New Community, Tarxien", and this was the "town" of their new address. Mallia also states that, while the Street Naming Committee headed by lexicographer Erin Serracino Inglott decided that the streets be named after flowers, the authorities hesitated to name the housing estate - as in similar cases - which in fact still consisted of architects' plans on a drawing table.

Soon, in the years immediately before and after Independence, the community flourished and grew quite rapidly, and the name Santa Luċija - on the likes of San Ġwann on the perimeter of Sliema - was adopted; it was taken from the name referring to a small chapel on the periphery road leading to Gudja, dedicated to the Sicilian saint of the third century.

By 1967, when my wife and I settled in this place, the residents had already grown into a large community.

I am collecting material - photos, anecdotes, articles, and general information (together with a bibliography) - which might help me in publishing a short history of this town, by the end of this year. Anybody who might have such material, especially related to the first years of this town, and is willing to help in this publication, may send it (together with a personal tel. no.) to me, either by post at 13 Triq in-Narċis, Santa Luċija SLĊ 1101, or by an e-mail at joe.zammit-ciantar@um.edu.mt. I would acknowledge all material used in the publication.