Baħrija

Baħrija

Il-Baħrija
Baħrija Il-Baħrija
Administrative Committee
	Kumitat Amministrattiv tal-Baħrija
	Baħrija Parish Church of St Martin of Tours
	Baħrija
	Coordinates: 35°53′41″N 14°20′54″E / 35.89472°N 14.34833°E
Country	Malta
Island	Malta Island
Suburb of	Rabat, Malta
Demonym	Tal-Baħrija
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	RBT
Dialing code	356
Patron saint	Saint Martin (nearest Sunday to 11 November)
Day of festa	Sunday near November 11

Baħrija is a village in Rabat, Malta, with a low population density. The name Baħrija means moth in Maltese. It is also known in English as Baħria, of which the Counts Moscati had owned the fiefdom that was granted by the Grand Master of Malta.

Overview

Two churches are present in Baħrija, an old one (which was re-inaugurated on Saturday 19 October 2013), and the newer church, built in 1984, which is dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours and is currently in use.

The main feast in Baħrija is that of Saint Martin of Tours, which is celebrated annually on 11 November. This feast is associated with an old tradition where a bagful of an assortment of nuts, sweets and fresh fruit is given to young children on the day.

Another tradition present exclusively in Baħrija is the annual fair which is held on the Sunday before the feast, where assortments of goods are given away in a number of lotteries.

Baħrija is also famous for its rabbit-cooking restaurants.

Bahrija is one of the highest places in Malta, therefore the weather here is cooler than at lower elevations (it is also exposed to the cold northern winds coming over the sea). Most of the north of Malta is visible from this village, but the south west of Gozo (including Xlendi) is also visible, and on clear still nights, a line of streetlights is visible on the horizon to the north, where Sicily is.

Although Bahrija has little rich soil, much of its land is used for agriculture, mostly growing grape vines and other common fruit that can withstand the harsh heat of the summer and the lack of soil.

Bahrija is a good place to search for walks. For a cliff climb, there is the Fomm ir-Rih walk, or for Maltese heritage, the Victoria Lines start at Kuncizzjoni.