Landmarks in the history of Marsa

Abstract

The aim of this short article is to show how Marsa, a small and sparsely inhabited area, developed into a populated urban district. Throughout the centuries there were various attempts to develop Marsa most of which failed, and it is not till this century that the long hoped for condition has come about. The name Marsa is of Arabic origin and means an anchorage, i.e., a place where ships can safely lie at anchor. The same name is to be found, in prefix, in many other Mediterranean places which at one time were dominated by the Arabs. It is common in the toponomy of Malta where we find that places such as Marsaxlokk, Marsamxett, Marsascala, etc., are close to the sea. In early times Marsa comprised the inner basin of the Grand Harbour and in the days of sailing ships this part of the Harbour must have been a true place of refuge from bad weather. Today the area has extended inland to considerable size and comprises the low land lying between Hamrun, Qormi, Luqa and Paula.