The square most beautiful : the pjazza in Xagħra between historic identity and modernity

Abstract

The Pjazza in Malta has Arabic origins in the Misraħ, but it was only during the seventeenth century, when the reign of the Order of St John brought stability, well-being and connectivity with European development in art and architecture that the Pjazza took its well known form: the centre of village activity, the theatre where local, political and social networks and hierarchies are displayed, and the space of community gatherings. Whilst some piazzas where planned, many others, especially in villages evolved organically. Xagħra’s Pjazza is one of the latter, formed by two crossing roads. It is also one of the remaining examples of piazzas still struggling to maintain their centrality despite twenty-first century development.