View source for Żabbar

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Żabbar
| native_name              = Ħaż-Żabbar
| native_name_lang         = mt
| official_name            =
| other_name               = Città Hompesch, Casal Zabbar
| settlement_type          = City and [[Local councils of Malta|Local council]]
| image_skyline            = Żabbar Street.jpg
| image_caption            = Sanctuary Street, leading to the Żabbar Parish Church
| image_flag               = Flag of Żabbar.svg
| image_shield             = Zabbar_coa.svg
| etymology                =
| nickname                 =
| motto                    =
| image_map                = Zabbar in Malta.svg
| map_caption              =
| coordinates              = {{coord|35|52|38|N|14|32|17|E|type:city_region:MT|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes    =
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|Malta}}
| subdivision_type1        = [[Regions of Malta|Region]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[South Eastern Region]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[Districts of Malta|District]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Southern Harbour District]]
| established_title        =
| established_date         =
| founder                  =
| parts_type               = Borders
| parts_style              = para
| p1                       = [[Birgu]], [[Cospicua]], [[Fgura]], [[Kalkara]], [[Marsaskala]], [[Xgħajra]], [[Żejtun]]
| leader_title             = [[List of mayors of places in Malta|Mayor]]
| leader_name              = [[Jorge Grech]]
| leader_party             = [[Labour Party (Malta)|PL]]
| unit_pref                = Metric
| area_total_km2           = 5.3
| area_note                =
| area_footnotes           =
| elevation_m              =
| elevation_footnotes      =
| population_total         = 15648
| population_as_of         = Jan. 2021
| population_footnotes     =
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_note          =
| population_demonym       = Żabbari (m), Żabbarija (f), Żabbarin (pl)
| timezone1                = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset1              = +1
| timezone1_DST            = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST          = +2
| postal_code_type         = [[Postal codes in Malta|Postal code]]
| postal_code              = ZBR
| area_code_type           = [[List of country calling codes|Dialing code]]
| area_code                = 356
| iso_code                 = MT-64
| blank_name_sec1          = [[Religion in Malta#Patron Saints|Patron saint]]
| blank_info_sec1          = [[Our Lady of Graces]]
| blank1_name_sec1         = [[Public holidays in Malta#Traditional Feasts|Day of festa]]
| blank1_info_sec1         = Sunday after 8 September
| website                  = [http://www.zabbar.gov.mt/ Official website]
| footnotes                =
}}
'''Żabbar''' ({{langx|mt|Ħaż-Żabbar}}, {{IPA-mt|ħɐz.zɐbˈbɐːr|}}), also known as '''Città Hompesch''', is a city in the [[South Eastern Region]] of [[Malta]]. It is the seventh largest city in the country, with an estimated population of 15,648 as of January 2021.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |date=14 September 2021 |title=LOCAL COUNCILS ACT (CAP. 363): Estimated Population by Locality, 1st January, 2021 |language=Maltese, English |pages=9514 |work=Gazzetta tal-Gvern ta’ Malta 20,699 |url=https://www.gov.mt/en/Government/DOI/Government%20Gazette/Documents/2021/09/Government%20Gazette%20-%2014th%20September.pdf |access-date=20 April 2022}}</ref> Originally a part of [[Żejtun]], Żabbar was granted the title of ''Città Hompesch'' by the last of the Grand Masters of the [[Knights Hospitaller|Order of St. John]] to reign in Malta, [[Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim]].
==Etymology==
The name of the city probably derives from the [[Maltese language|Maltese]] word ''tiżbor'', the process of [[pruning]] trees. Indeed, a number of families who specialised in pruning, ''żbir'', are known to have lived in the vicinity of this village during the [[Middle Ages]]. Other possibilities of this derivation exist. Żabbar was also the surname of an important family that was known to have lived in the area. Ħaż-Żabbar could also have been a corruption of ''Ħas-Sabbar'' (the consoler village) or derived from ''sabbara'' (consoler in Maltese), which would be connected to turning to Our Lady of Graces for consolation and the old chapel of Our Lady of Graces which preceded the current sanctuary.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |title=Żabbar: A living history |publisher=Żabbar Local Council |year=2000 |isbn=1871767156 |editor-last=Sciberras |editor-first=Miriam A. |language=en}}</ref>
The word sabbar could also be the plural of Z''abbara'' which is the [[Agave]] plant in [[Sicilian language|Sicilian]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Quattrocchi |first=Umberto |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-37OBQAAQBAJ |title=CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology (5 Volume Set) |date=2016-04-19 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-4822-5064-0 |pages=117 |language=en}}</ref> This would be derived from the Arabic صَبّار (''ṣabbār'') meaning cacti. In fact, in some Arab countries ''ṣabbār'' means prickly pear. The "ṣ" in this case, is strong and is pronounced as "z". Judging by the names of other Maltese villages, like nearby Żejtun (meaning "[[olive]]" in Arabic) it seems quite probable that such names may have agricultural connotations.{{original research inline|date=June 2021}}
==Demography==
[[File:Sketch plan of Casal Zabbar (1901).jpg|thumb|Urban planning map of Żabbar, 1901]]
Ħaż-Żabbar is bound to the north by [[Kalkara]] and [[Xgħajra]], to the west by [[Fgura]] and the [[Cottonera Lines]] (enclosing the localities of [[Vittoriosa]] and [[Cospicua]]), to the east by [[Marsaskala]] and to the south by [[Żejtun]]. Ħaż-Żabbar has the largest population of all localities within the area. The western part of this town, composed essentially of Il-Biċċieni and Tal-Bajjada (also known as Il-Misraħ) areas, is characterized by high dwelling density and comprises a series of winding streets that define the village core.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}
The eastern half is mostly suburban with more recent developments mostly in the form of terraced housing and modern maisonettes and apartments. Ħaż-Żabbar has two other distinct residential neighbourhoods namely Bulebel iż-Żgħir, which is characterized by Government housing estates/ multi-storey apartment blocks and rows of terraced house units that were constructed out of various Home Ownership Schemes (HOS), and the area referred to as St. Peter's.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}
<timeline>
Colors=
id:lightgrey value:gray(0.9)
id:darkgrey  value:gray(0.8)
id:sfondo value:rgb(1,1,1)
id:barra value:rgb(0.6,0.7,0.8)
ImageSize  = width:600 height:350
PlotArea   = left:50 bottom:50 top:30 right:30
DateFormat = x.y
Period     = from:0 till:20000
TimeAxis   = orientation:vertical
AlignBars  = justify
ScaleMajor = gridcolor:darkgrey increment:5000 start:0
ScaleMinor = gridcolor:lightgrey increment:1000 start:0
BackgroundColors = canvas:sfondo
BarData=
bar:1901 text:1901
bar:1911 text:1911
bar:1921 text:1921
bar:1931 text:1931
bar:1948 text:1948
bar:1957 text:1957
bar:1967 text:1967
bar:1985 text:1985
bar:1995 text:1995
bar:2005 text:2005
bar:2011 text:2011
bar:2021 text:2021
PlotData=
color:barra width:20 align:left
bar:1901 from: 0 till:5750
bar:1911 from: 0 till:7012
bar:1921 from: 0 till:7044
bar:1931 from: 0 till:8003
bar:1948 from: 0 till:11726
bar:1957 from: 0 till:11005
bar:1967 from: 0 till:10167
bar:1985 from: 0 till:12869
bar:1995 from: 0 till:14138
bar:2005 from: 0 till:14671
bar:2011 from: 0 till:14916
bar:2021 from: 0 till:15648
PlotData=
bar:1901 at:5750 fontsize:XS text: 5750 shift:(-8,5)
bar:1911 at:7012 fontsize:XS text: 7012 shift:(-8,5)
bar:1921 at:7044 fontsize:XS text: 7044 shift:(-8,5)
bar:1931 at:8003 fontsize:XS text: 8003 shift:(-8,5)
bar:1948 at:11726 fontsize:XS text: 11726 shift:(-8,5)
bar:1957 at:11005 fontsize:XS text: 11005 shift:(-8,5)
bar:1967 at:10167 fontsize:XS text: 10167 shift:(-8,5)
bar:1985 at:12869 fontsize:XS text: 12869 shift:(-8,5)
bar:1995 at:14138 fontsize:XS text: 14138 shift:(-8,5)
bar:2005 at:14671 fontsize:XS text: 14671 shift:(-8,5)
bar:2011 at:14916 fontsize:XS text: 14916 shift:(-8,5)
bar:2021 at:15648 fontsize:XS text: 15648 shift:(-8,5)
TextData=
fontsize:S pos:(20,20)
text:The population of Żabbar (by year) according to census data
</timeline>Source: <ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=National Statistics Office |date=2014 |title=Census of population and housing 2011: Final report |url=https://nso.gov.mt/en/publicatons/Publications_by_Unit/Documents/01_Methodology_and_Research/Census2011_FinalReport.pdf |access-date=25 July 2022 |website=nso.gov.mt |publisher=National Statistics Office |publication-place=Valletta, Malta |isbn=}}</ref>
==History==
[[File:Malta - Fgura-Zabbar - Hompesch Arch 06 ies.jpg|thumb|[[Hompesch Gate]]]]
[[File:Zabbar Kugel.JPG|thumb|Cannonball still lodged in the façade of a house in Żabbar.]]
The town was used as an encampment by the Ottoman armies at the outset of the [[Great Siege of Malta|Great Siege of 1565]]. Ħaż-Żabbar was granted city status by the last Grand Master on Malta, [[Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim|Ferdinand von Hompesch]], in whose name the population built a [[Hompesch Gate|triumphal arch]] on the main approach road from Paola through Fgura.
During the [[Siege of Malta (1798–1800)|Maltese uprising against the French]] between 1798 and 1800 the city was used as a base by the Maltese insurgents. A memorable battle on 5 October 1798 took place in front of the Ħaż-Żabbar Sanctuary. To this day, French-era cannonballs can be seen lodged in a household wall in the city's older parts and some are also in the church museum after being retrieved from the old church dome.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bonavia |first=Carmel G. |date=28 August 2016 |title=Żabbar's constant developments as a parish |pages=32–33 |work=The Sunday [[Times of Malta]] |format=PDF |url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51922 |access-date=15 August 2022 |via=OAR@UM ([[University of Malta]])}}</ref>
===British Era===
During the [[Malta Colony|British era]] a number of forts and batteries were built in the area. These were [[Fort Saint Rocco]], [[Fort Leonardo|Fort Saint Leonardo]], [[Della Grazie Battery|Delle Grazie Battery]] and Żonqor Battery.
Fort Saint Rocco was built between 1873 and 1875. It was later expanded and 3 cannons were fitted. Also, Fort Saint Leonardo was fitted with 4 cannons. These two forts took care of the neighboring seas.
The two batteries also took care of the area altogether with the [[Rinella battery]] which contains the 100 ton [[Armstrong Gun]].
===1951===
This was a memorable year for the ''Żabbarin''. The then Metropolitan Archbishop of Malta Michael Gonzi crowned the miraculous image of Our Lady of Grace venerated in her Sanctuary. A large crowd gathered in front of the sanctuary on Sunday 2 September 1951. During 2001 a twelve star silver diadem was placed on it by Archbishop Joseph Mercieca, in celebration of the [[Golden Jubilee]].
===Recent history===
{{further|1975 Żabbar Avro Vulcan crash}}
More recently, on 14 October 1975, a [[Avro Vulcan|Vulcan B. 2]], XM645 of [[No. IX Squadron RAF|No.9 Squadron RAF]], exploded over the village.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dancey |first=Peter G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SCX5DQAAQBAJ |title=The Avro Vulcan: A History |publisher=Fonthill Media |year=2017 |isbn=9781781552322}}</ref> One wing full of fuel fell on Sanctuary Street, the main street of the village, and several other parts fell on the school.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Chetcuti |first=Kristina |date=14 October 2010 |title=The Vulcan tragedy over Zabbar, 35 years on |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/the-vulcan-tragedy-over-zabbar-30-years-on.331187 |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=[[Times of Malta]] |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Portelli |first=Eman |date=14 October 2019 |title=44 SENA MIT-TRAĠEDJA TAL-AJRUPLAN VULCAN LI ĠĠARRAF FUQ ĦAŻ-ŻABBAR |url=https://one.com.mt/44-sena-mit-tragedja-tal-ajruplan-vulcan-li-ggarraf-fuq-haz-zabbar/ |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=One.com.mt |language=Maltese}}</ref> The children were having their break at that time and were safely evacuated by the supervising teachers and headmaster.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} The whole accident, which involved other parts of the city due to the violent explosion, claimed six victims. Five of them were crew members trapped in the plane. The sixth was a civilian, who was walking in the street at the time. Around 20 other individuals were injured.<ref name=":1" /> Various items related to the crash, including part of the Vulcan, can be seen at the [[Żabbar Sanctuary Museum]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cini |first=George |date=9 September 2003 |title=Museum reopened displaying spellbinding collection of artefacts |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/museum-reopened-displaying-spellbinding-collection-of-artefacts.141616 |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=[[Times of Malta]]}}</ref> Some parts of this wing are now in custody of Charlene, who was present and vividly remembers this incident.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}
==Culture==
=== Devotion to Our Lady of Grace ===
The city is very devout, particularly to [[Our Lady of Grace]], to whom the city Sanctuary is dedicated. A vast number of paintings and other artefacts can be found in the [[Żabbar Sanctuary Museum|Sanctuary Museum]], most of which have 'VFGA' in some way or other imprinted on them. This is the [[Latin]] abbreviation for ''Votum Fecit, Gratiam Accipit'', meaning that a grace has been asked for and it had been granted due to intercession by the ''Madonna tal-Grazzja'' (Our Lady of Grace). The paintings are about marine subjects and give large detail about ships of the [[Knights Hospitaller|Knights of Malta]] era. The [[Mattia Preti]] painting is found in the town's museum.
===The Sanctuary===
[[File:Żabbar Church.jpg|thumb|[[Parish Church of Our Lady of Graces, Żabbar|Parish Church of Our Lady of Grace, Żabbar]] ]]
The building of the [[Parish Church of Our Lady of Graces, Żabbar|Church of Our Lady of Graces]] was started in 1641 at the instigation of the Parish Priest Don Francesco Piscopo and was completed around 1718 according to the commemoration plaque of the Consecration by Bishop [[Vincenzo Labini]] in 1784. A Maltese proverb says "a church is never finished", which is another way of stating that the people in a particular parish are never satisfied with their own church and, depending on their means, are forever the ambition that the church in one's village be better and bigger than the church in the next parish. The good people of Ħaż-Żabbar are no exception. Largely from the private funds of the Parish Priest Andrea Buhagiar, in addition to money collected from the people of Ħaż-Żabbar, work on embellishing the church was started in 1738. The Maltese architect Giovanni Bonavia redesigned the façade and two belltowers were erected; in addition the church was paved in marble and provided with a crypt. The main painting of the Madonna and Child is a work by the painter [[Alessio Erardi]].
===Feasts===
Ħaż-Żabbar hosts a village feast on the first Sunday after 8 September, which features a [[motorcycle]] and [[bicycle]] pilgrimage each starting from [[Mosta]] and [[Rabat]] respectively. This is done because [[Our Lady of Grace]] is the patron of cyclists. Strong competition exists between the village's two band clubs, [[Società Filarmonica Maria Mater Gratiæ]] and Għaqda Madonna Tal-Grazzja Banda San Mikiel.
Another feast celebrated in Ħaż-Żabbar includes [[St. Michael the Archangel]] on the third Sunday after 8 September. This feast includes a solemn mass at the Zabbar Sanctuary. During the evening a brass band march is held in the town centre. The band accompanies the statue of St. Michael the Archangel. The most sensational moment during this march is when the statue of St. Michael the Archangel passes in front of the monumental statue of Our Lady of Graces, the patron of Żabbar.
A procession of [[Our Lady of the Rosary]] is also held on 7 October.
Ħadd in-Nies or [[People's Sunday]] is celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent. An afternoon pilgrimage accompanied by the titular statue, having a different starting point each year, is led by the Archbishop of Malta and ends at the Our Lady of Grace Sanctuary where a pontifical mass is celebrated. Among the celebrations for this feast one can mention the Classical Music Concerts held by the two local band clubs in the Notre Dame Hall.
=== Parish Choir ===
The Notre Dame Choir is associated with the Parish Church and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces. The main purpose of the choir is to take part in the liturgy of the main religious events in the parish.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=L-Arċidjoċesi ta' Malta |title=Parroċċa ta' Ħaż-Żabbar |url=https://parrocci.knisja.mt/parrocca/haz-zabbar/ |access-date=27 April 2022}}</ref> The choir also presents concerts throughout the year such as during Lent and the Christmas period.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kor Notre Dame |date=25 December 2021 |title=Kunċert tal-Milied mill-Kor Notre Dame |website=[[Facebook]] |url=https://www.facebook.com/100513394802150/photos/a.100551161465040/464298595090293/ |access-date=27 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kor Notre Dame |date=2 April 2022 |title=Stabat Mater Dolorosa |website=[[Facebook]] |url=https://www.facebook.com/100513394802150/photos/a.100551161465040/525334022320083/ |access-date=27 April 2022}}</ref>
===Band Clubs===
There are two band clubs in Żabbar.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Band Name
!English Translation
!Founded (year)
!Colour
!Nicknames
|-
|[[Società Filarmonica Maria Mater Gratiæ]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Società Filarmonica Maria Mater Gratiæ |date=n.d. |title=Ġrajjietna |url=https://mmg.mt/grajjietna/ |access-date=20 April 2022 |language=Maltese}}</ref>
|Maria Mater Gratiae Philharmonic Society
|1883
|Blue
|''Tal-Baqra''
|-
|Għaqda Madonna tal-Grazzja - Banda San Mikiel <ref>{{Cite web |last=Għaqda Madonna tal-Grazzja - Banda San Mikiel |title=Storja |url=https://www.zabbar.org.mt/copy-of-kummissjoni-zg-azag-bajdisti |access-date=20 April 2022 |language=Maltese}}</ref>
|Our Lady of Graces Club - St. Michael Band
|1883
|Green
|''Tal-Bajda''
|}
===Holy Week===
Società Filarmonica Maria Mater Gratiæ organises an annual Holy Week exhibition held inside the club where it is situated. The exhibition, which is named Pesah, consists of a life sized last supper, various models of the passion of the Christ, pictures made out of coloured semolina, a fretwork exhibition and other symbols which transform the whole building in an exhibition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Soċjetà Filarmonika Maria Mater Gratiæ |title=Festa Madonna tal-Grazzja 2017 |url=https://www.yumpu.com/xx/document/read/59405379/mmg-programm-festa-2017-for-online-publication |access-date=20 April 2022 |language=Maltese}}</ref>
Għaqda Madonna Tal-Grazzja Banda San Mikiel organises an annual Holy Week exhibition. This exhibition, held inside the World War 2 Shelter in the square where the Għaqda Madonna Tal-Grazzja Banda San Mikiel club is situated, includes life size figures depicting the Passion of Christ.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Għaqda Madonna Tal-Grazzja, Banda San Mikiel |title=Attivitajiet tal-Ġimgħa l-Kbira |url=https://www.zabbar.org.mt/copy-of-kids-party-1 |access-date=20 April 2022 |language=Maltese}}</ref>
===Attractions===
*[[Żabbar Sanctuary Museum]]
*[[Hompesch Gate]]
*Mediatrix Place (War Memorial, Hompesch Monument and Mgr. Joseph Zarb Monument)
*Sanctuary Street, named The Most Beautiful Street In Malta in 2020<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 December 2020 |title=WATCH: Żabbar's Sanctuary Street Officially Named The Most Beautiful Street In Malta |url=https://bay.com.mt/watch-zabbars-sanctuary-street-officially-named-the-most-beautiful-street-in-malta/#:~:text=Sanctuary%20Road%2C%20which%20leads%20to,that%20leads%20to%20a%20church! |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=89.7 [[Bay Radio (Malta)|Bay]]}}</ref>
*Saint James Square
*[[Fort Leonardo]]
*[[Il-Foss]] football ground
*San Klement Park<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Klement Park, Żabbar |url=https://parksmalta.com/portfolio/san-klement-park-zabbar/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126141326/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://parksmalta.com/portfolio/san-klement-park-zabbar/ |archive-date=26 November 2022 |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=Parks Malta}}</ref>
=== Memorial monuments ===
{{For|a list of niches, churches, towers, and other monuments listed on the [[National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands]]|List of monuments in Żabbar}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+List of [[memorial]] monuments in Żabbar
!Monument
!Location
!Photo
|-
|[[Agatha Barbara]] Memorial
|Sanctuary Street
|[[File:Sudika_Zabbar_Agatha_Barbara_statue.jpg|frameless|247x247px]]
|-
|Giuseppe Agius Muscat Memorial
|Sanctuary Street
|[[File:Giuseppe Agius Muscat.jpg|frameless|225x225px]]
|-
|Mgr. Joseph Zarb Memorial
|Mediatrix Place
|[[File:Żabbar Zarb.jpg|frameless|225x225px]]
|-
|World War II Monument
|Mediatrix Place
|[[File:War_Monument_in_Zabbar.JPG|frameless|200x200px]]
|-
|[[Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim|Grand Master Ferdinand von Hompesch]] Monument
|Mediatrix Place
|[[File:Hompesch_monument.jpg|frameless|225x225px]]
|-
|Fredu Abela "il-Bamboċċu" Memorial
|Żabbar Bandli (Playground)
|[[File:Monument for Fredu Abela L-Bamboċċu in Żabbar.jpg|frameless|254x254px]]
|-
|Toni Caligari Memorial
|Triq il-Kbira
|[[File:Żabbar bank monument.jpg|frameless|225x225px]]
|}
==Other churches==
[[File:Chapel_Of_St._Mary_Zabbar.jpg|thumb|[[Santa Marija Chapel]]]]
* '''Annunciation Church''': This chapel is situated in Main Street between the Labour Party and St.Patrick F.C. Clubs. It is dedicated to the [[Annunciation]].
* '''[[Santa Marija Chapel]]''': Dedicated to the [[Assumption of Mary]], this chapel is found in one of the oldest quarters of Ħaż-Żabbar. A painting on the altar shows Mary being transported into Heaven with her body and soul united. A very nice statue of [[Our Lady of Sorrows]] is found in this chapel.
*'''Holy Cross Church''': This church was inaugurated in 1993 to serve the growing community in the most modern part of Ħaż-Żabbar. The area where the Holy Cross Church is situated is known as ''Sant' Andrija'' (''St. Andrew's'')
* '''Maria Bambina Centre''': This is used for the teaching of Catechism and Mass on certain days of the week.
* '''Saint Andrew''': Built in the 15th century, this chapel stands next to Santa Domenica Church. Nowadays it is used, together with Santa Domenica Church, as the headquarters of the local scout group.
*'''Santa Domenica Church''': This was rebuilt in 1954 after being damaged during World War 2. Together with Saint Andrew's Church, Santa Domenica Church is nowadays used as part of the local scout group's headquarters.
*'''Our Lady of Mercy''': This chapel is located in the town's cemetery. It is used for funeral services and for mass.
*'''Our Lady of the Pillar''': This is a very small church. In 1585 Ġuzeppi Testaferrata donated money and helped to organise the feast dedicated to Our Lady. Currently the chapel is not being used.
==Local Council==
The current{{When|date=October 2023}} local council members were elected during the [[2019 Maltese local elections|local council election of 2019]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Vassallo |first=Alvin |date=30 May 2019 |title=Jorge Grech elected Mayor of Zabbar |work=TVM News |url=https://tvmnews.mt/en/news/jorge-grech-elected-mayor-of-zabbar/ |access-date=20 April 2022}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Current Żabbar Local Council Members <ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Local Government Division |date=n.d. |title=Mayor and Councillors |url=https://localgovernment.gov.mt/en/lc/Zabbar/Pages/The-Local-Council/Mayor-and-Councillors.aspx |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=localgovernment.gov.mt}}</ref>
!Name
!Role
!Political party
|-
|Jorge Grech
|Mayor
|[[Labour Party (Malta)|Partit Laburista]]
|-
|Bernice Farrugia
|Deputy Mayor
|Partit Laburista
|-
|Mark Grech
|Councillor
|Partit Laburista
|-
|Joseph Buttigieg
|Councillor
|[[Nationalist Party (Malta)|Partit Nazzjonalista]]
|-
|Ghislaine Bongailas
|Councillor
|Partit Laburista
|-
|Angelo Scicluna
|Councillor
|Partit Laburista
|-
|Joseph Vella
|Councillor
|Partit Laburista
|-
|Louiselle Camilleri
|Councillor
|Partit Laburista
|-
|Anna Calleja
|Councillor
|Partit Nazzjonalista
|-
|Joseph Agius
|Councillor
|Partit Laburista
|-
|Patrick Barbara
|Councillor
|Partit Laburista
|}
==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Malta}}
Żabbar is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Twinning|url=https://localgovernment.gov.mt/en/lc/Zabbar/Pages/Services/Twinning.aspx|website=localgovernment.gov.mt|publisher=Government of Malta|access-date=18 September 2019}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Villabate]], Italy (since September 1997)
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Eschborn]], Germany
The Council was officially invited to [[Villabate]] when Dr. Fina, as a ''Comissario Straordinario'', was responsible for the running of the day-to-day business. The invitation was the result of an annual reciprocal activity with regard to the ''Onorificenza Cittadino Del Anno''. This commitment is now being honoured on a reciprocal basis.
The Council also has a Partnership Agreement with two other European towns, [[Montgeron]] in France and [[Póvoa de Varzim]] in Portugal. The Partnership Agreement was signed in July 2001 during the International Youth Summer Camp organised by Ħaż-Żabbar.
==Sports==
Ħaż-Żabbar's main [[football (soccer)|football]] [[team]] is [[St. Patrick F.C.|Zabbar St. Patrick FC.]], including St. Patrick's Nursery FC. There are two amateur football teams in the town, and these are Ħaż-Żabbar Crystal Blues and Ħaż-Żabbar Athletics. Other sports clubs include Ħaż-Żabbar Shooting Club, Ħaż-Żabbar Boċċi Club, St Peters Boċċi Club, Ħaż-Żabbar Subbuteo Club, Zabbar Chievo Futsal Club, The Basketball Club, and Ħaż-Żabbar Amateur Racing Club.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zabbar: Sports |url=https://localgovernment.gov.mt/en/lc/Zabbar/Pages/Locality/Sports.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806042001/https://localgovernment.gov.mt/en/lc/Zabbar/Pages/Locality/Sports.aspx |archive-date=6 August 2022 |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=localgovernment.gov.mt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 September 2003 |title=Zabbar international tournament |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/zabbar-international-tournament.141371 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126140230/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/zabbar-international-tournament.141371 |archive-date=26 November 2022 |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=[[Times of Malta]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Zabbar: Associations |url=https://localgovernment.gov.mt/en/lc/Zabbar/Pages/Locality/Associations.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806041955/https://localgovernment.gov.mt/en/lc/Zabbar/Pages/Locality/Associations.aspx |archive-date=6 August 2022 |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=localgovernment.gov.mt}}</ref>
==Personalities==
'''President of Malta:''' [[Agatha Barbara]] (d.2002)<ref name=":2" />
'''Bishop:''' Mons. Paolo Darmanin
'''Politicians:''' Dr Giuseppe Agius Muscat (d. 1951), Renato Agius Muscat (d. 2011), Dr Francis Agius, Espedito Catania (d. 1985), Dr Helena Dalli, Dr Josie Muscat, Alfred Portelli, Leli Tabone (d. 1980)
'''Former Parish Priest:''' Mons. Joseph Zarb (d. 1985)
'''Writers:''' Karmenu Bonavia (d.2017),<ref>{{Cite book |title=Karmenu Bonavia u Kitbietu. L-Ewwel Volum: Ħaż-Żabbar, Il-Madonna tal-Grazzja u s-Santwarju |publisher=Mużew tas-Santwarju |year=2019 |isbn=978-99957-1-457-4 |location=Ħaż-Żabbar |pages=xi |language=mt}}</ref> Karmenu Ellul Galea (d. 2007), Dr Carmel Mallia, Prof. Daniel Massa,<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Relji |first=Teodor |date=9 September 2016 |title=14 Reasons Why You Need To Visit Zabbar This Weekend |url=https://lovinmalta.com/malta/14-reasons-why-you-need-to-visit-zabbar-now/ |access-date=30 June 2022 |website=Lovin Malta}}</ref> Achille Mizzi (poet),<ref name=":6" /> Alfred Palma,<ref name=":6" /> George Peresso,<ref name=":6" /> P. Mattew Sultana (d. 1986)
'''Educationist:''' Dr Frans Chetcuti (d. 1983)
'''Footballer:''' Clayton Failla (national team; ex St Patrick's FC)<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 June 2022 |title=General Information about the player Clayton Failla |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/29539/Clayton_Failla.html |access-date=30 June 2022 |website=National Football Teams}}</ref>
'''TV Presenters:''' [[Quinton Scerri]] ([[Television Malta|TVM]])
'''Newscasters:''' Keith Demicoli (TVM),<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Baldacchino |first=Anthony |title=Nikxfu: Ma Min Iżommu Dawn Il-Personalitajiet Żabbarin! |url=https://www.gwida.mt/mt/nikxfu-ma-min-izommu-dawn-il-personalitajiet-zabbarin |access-date=24 July 2022 |website=Gwida.mt |language=Maltese}}</ref> Fabian Demicoli ([[NET (Maltese TV channel)|NET]])<ref name=":7" />
'''Musicians:''' Mro Wiġi Bongailas (d. 1985), Fredu Abela "il-Bamboċċu" ([[Għana (folk music)|Għana]] musician, d. 2003),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zammit |first=Frederick |date=9 November 2020 |title=17-il sena mill-mewt ta' Fredu Abela l-Bamboċċu |url=https://newsbook.com.mt/17-il-sena-mill-mewt-ta-fredu-abela-l-bamboccu/ |access-date=21 April 2022 |website=Newsbook |language=Maltese}}</ref> Mro John. J. Pace, Marvic Monreal (mezzo-soprano), Christian Arding (singer),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Music-News.com |title=Music News Malta interview L Ghanja tal Poplu finalist 'Christian Arding' |url=https://www.music-news.com/news/UK/77203/Read |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=}}</ref> Mike Spiteri (singer),<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 September 2004 |title=Photographic exhibition |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/photographic-exhibition.112953 |access-date=24 July 2022 |website=[[Times of Malta]]}}</ref> Joseph Cetchuti (violinist)<ref name=":7" />
'''Artists:''' William Azzopardi (watercolourist),<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 November 2002 |title=Watercolours exhibition |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/watercolours-exhibition.163418 |access-date=30 June 2022 |website=[[Times of Malta]]}}</ref> Mario Portelli (illustrator), James Vella Clark (landscape, abstract),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anastasi |first=Rebecca |date=n.d. |title=James Vella Clark: "make it a point to get in touch with us locals" |url=https://www.guidememalta.com/en/james-vella-clark-make-it-a-point-to-get-in-touch-with-us-locals |access-date=30 June 2022 |website=GuideMeMalta.com}}</ref> Dylan Agius (tattoo artist)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Muscat |first=Cristian |date=14 July 2020 |title=Jgħix l-Avvetura u Jirbaħha |url=https://talk.mt/jghix-l-avventura-u-jirbahha/ |access-date=20 April 2022 |language=Maltese}}</ref>
==Radio stations==
* Radju MMG FM (97.5 FM). Ħaż-Żabbar
* TRN Radio. Owned by Tony Cilia in Ħaż-Żabbar<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radio.toncil.net/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=12 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312224718/http://radio.toncil.net/ |archive-date=12 March 2014}}</ref>
=== Shut down stations ===
* Radju Hompesch (90 FM). Owned by Gordon Caruana in Ħaż-Żabbar.
On the 27th of February 2022, a post was made on the Radju Hompesch [[Facebook]] page. The post announced that the radio has shut down its operations after 20 years of broadcasting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 February 2022 |title=Radju Hompesch: February 27, 2022 |url=https://www.facebook.com/242309092469793/photos/a.4433226280044699/5180265818674071 |access-date=20 April 2022 |publisher=Radju Hompesch}}</ref>
== Żabbar in postage stamps ==
=== 1993 ===
The system of [[Local councils of Malta|local councils in Malta]] was set up in 1993.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Local Government Division |date=n.d. |title=About Local Government |url=https://localgovernmentcms.gov.mt/en/lca/Pages/About-Local-Government.aspx |access-date=27 April 2022 |website=}}</ref> This was commemorated by a set of 4 postage stamps depicting the coats of arms of the local councils.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=MaltaPost |author-link=MaltaPost |title=Local Councils 1993 - Miniature Sheet |url=https://www.maltaphilately.com/en/products/product/s9308l05?returnurl=%2fen%2fproducts%2fliststampcatalogue%2fpage%2f2%3fiy%3d1993 |access-date=27 April 2022 |website=maltaphilately.com}}</ref> The Żabbar coat of arms can be seen in the top right stamp.
=== 1997 ===
In 1996, the Żabbar Local Council made a request to the Postmaster General to issue a set of stamps to commemorate 200 years of Żabbar having the tile of "Citta". In 1997, a set of 3 stamps depicting the 3 cities connected with Ferdinand von Hompesch (Żabbar, [[Siġġiewi]], and [[Żejtun]]) was issued. The Żabbar stamp depicts the Hompesch Gate.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=MaltaPost |author-link=MaltaPost |title=Maltese Cities 1797 - 1997 -48c Miniature Sheet |url=https://www.maltaphilately.com/en/products/product/pms9701?returnurl=%2fen%2fproducts%2fliststampcatalogue%2fpage%2f1%3fiy%3d1997 |access-date=27 April 2022 |website=maltaphilately.com}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=MaltaPost |author-link=MaltaPost |title=Maltese Cities 1797 - 1997 - 6c Hompesch Arch and Arms 9 Zabbar |url=https://www.maltaphilately.com/en/products/product/s9701l006?returnurl=%2fen%2fproducts%2fliststampcatalogue%2fpage%2f1%3fiy%3d1997 |access-date=27 April 2022 |website=maltaphilately.com}}</ref>
=== 1998 ===
Ferdinand von Hompesch himself was depicted on a postage stamp issued in 1998.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=MaltaPost |author-link=MaltaPost |title=Historic Commemorations 1998 - 6c |url=https://www.maltaphilately.com/en/products/product/s9802l006?returnurl=%2fen%2fproducts%2fliststampcatalogue%2fpage%2f1%3fiy%3d1998 |access-date=27 April 2022 |website=maltaphilately.com}}</ref>
=== 2019 ===
In 2019, the titular statue of Our Lady of Grace was depicted on a stamp that was part of the Maltese Festa series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MaltaPost |author-link=MaltaPost |title=€0.28c Maltese Festa 2019 Zabbar |url=https://www.maltaphilately.com/en/products/product/s1913028i?returnurl=%2fen%2fproducts%2fliststampcatalogue%2fpage%2f2%3fiy%3d2019 |access-date=11 July 2022 |website=maltaphilately.com}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
![[File:Local Councils Malta Postage Stamps.jpg|frameless|159x159px]]
![[File:Żabbar Malta Postage Stamp 01.jpg|frameless|259x259px]]
![[File:Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim Malta Postage Stamp.jpg|frameless|174x174px]]
|-
|1993 Local Councils Stamp Set<ref name=":3" />
|1997 Żabbar Postage Stamp<ref name=":4" />
|1998 Ferdinand von Hompesch Postage Stamp<ref name=":5" />
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align: center;"|All [[Postage stamps and postal history of Malta|stamps]] as exhibited at the [[Malta Postal Museum]]
|}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://parrocci.knisja.mt/parrocca/haz-zabbar/ Parroċċa Ħaż-Żabbar]
* [https://www.facebook.com/Kor-Notre-Dame-Zabbar-100513394802150 Kor Notre Dame; Facebook Page]
* [https://www.facebook.com/zabbar.sanctuary.museum.page Żabbar Sanctuary Museum; Facebook Page]
* [https://mmg.mt/ Società Filarmonica Maria Mater Gratiæ; Official Website]
* [https://www.zabbar.org.mt/ Għaqda Madonna Tal-Grazzja Banda San Mikiel; Official Website]
* [https://www.facebook.com/Radju-Hompesch-242309092469793 Radju Hompesch; Facebook Page]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091117142408/http://www.zak-zabbar.org/ Ħaż-Żabbar ŻAK]
{{Malta-LocalCouncils}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zabbar}}
[[Category:Żabbar| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Malta]]
[[Category:Local councils of Malta]]