Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq

Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq
Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq
Administrative Committee
	Kumitat Amministrattiv ta' Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq
	View of Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq
	Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq
	Coordinates: 35°56′20″N 14°27′13″E / 35.938787°N 14.453725°E
Country	Malta
Island	Malta Island
Suburb of	Naxxar
Population
• Total	1,250
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	NXR
Dialing code	356
Day of festa	Our Lady of Angels
Website	Official website

Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq is an urban village in Malta situated between the limits of Madliena, Magħtab, Għargħur and Pembroke. The area is situated at the mouth of the island's longest valley called 'Wied il-Kbir'. The name Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq in Maltese can be translated to 'sea of pebbles' in English. It has a population of approximately 1,250 people.

History and facilities

Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq is named after a long stretch of rocky coast characterised by a large number of pebbles and sharp rocks. The area was used as a camping site by British forces during the British colonial period of the islands.

Two century-old chapels are found in the area, one of which has been abandoned. A modern central parish church and Franciscan retreat house are also located in the village. Opposite Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq is a marine entertainment centre which also has a dolphin show. Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq also contains a small number of bars and restaurants and a boy scout camping site.

The village was for much of the late twentieth century home to the White Rocks tourist complex. However, by the early 21st century this had fallen into disrepair and was no longer used. A proposal to convert the complex into a sports complex was announced by the Maltese government in 2010, but little progress had been made by June 2011.^[1]

When Local Councils were established, the central government decided that the village should form part of the Local Council of Naxxar. However, the parish district of the town falls under the neighbouring Għargħur Local Council. In the last 15 years the land development increased by threefold and Maltese people continue to purchase and develop property in the area.

Malta's sound mirror

The only sound mirror built outside of the UK is found near Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq at Magħtab. These buildings were sound early warning radar systems built before World War II.^[2]