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L-Isla hija l-iżgħar fost it-Tliet Ibliet tal-Cottonera. Għandha daqs ta’ 823 metri fit-tul u 320 metri wisa’ u għandha forma ta’ peninsula. L-Isla qiegħda bejn Galley Port (jew id-Daħla tat-Tarzna) li jinsab fuq in-naħa ta’ Bormla u il-id-Daħla tal-Franċiżi. Minħabba l-fatt li fit-tarf nett ta’ din il-Peninsula li tagħti għal Port il-Kbir għandha forma ta’ ponta, bdiet tiġi imsejħa “Il-Ponta”.
Madanakollu l-isem ta’ Isla ġej mil-kelma taljana L’Isola li tfisser gżira minħabba l-istruttura ġeografika tagħha li qegħda maqgħtuha miż-żewġ għoljiet: L-Għolja tal-Mitħna u L-Għolja ta’ San Ġiljan.
Senglea is the smallest of the Three Cities in the Cottonera, a promontory of 823 meters in length by 320 metres at its widest point. This less than a mile long and fairly new peninsula is situated between Galley Port (or Dockyard Creek) on the Cospicua side and the French Creek. Its sharp projection at the far end into the Grand Harbour is colloquially known as il-Ponta.
However the popular name for this city derived from Italian L’Isola (L-Isla) meaning an island, which basically indicates its geographic structure, nearly cut off by two hills Mill Hill and St.Julians’s Hill.
L-Istorja tal-Lokalita
Għalkemm l-Isla hija peninsula u mhux gżira, l-isem ta’ l-Isla ġej mill-kelma ‘Isola’ li bit-taljan tfisser gżira. L-oriġini tal-belt ta' l-Isla tmur lura fi żmien it-tmexxija ta' Malta mill-Kavallieri ta' San Ġwann. Fi żmien il-Gran Mastru Fra Philippo Villers del’Isle Adam kienu ġew miżrugħa numru ta’ pjanti tas-siġar taż-żebbuġ sabiex l-art tkun tajba biex tintuża’ għal kaċċa.
Il-Gran Mastru Spanjol Fra Juan d’Homedes kien ġie affaxxinat mis-sbuħija ta’ dan il-masġar u fil-fatt il-Casa Magistrale tiegħu kienet tinsab ġewwa dan il-masġar. Huwa wkoll kien ħa l-inizjattiva li jdawwar din il-peninsula bi swar. Infatti fis-sena 1550 il-Gran Mastru Juan D'Homedes qabbad lill-arkitett Pedro Pardo biex jibni forti (iktar tard magħrufa bħala Forti San Mikiel) fejn illum hemm id-daħla ta' l-Isla. L-għan ta' dan il-forti kien biex jindokra u jgħasses id-daħliet ta’madwar il-Port il-Kbir.
Aktar tard fis-sena 1553 taħt it-tmexxija tal-Gran Mastru Claude de la Sengle, din il-belt bdiet tieħu sura ta' belt u bdew jimbarraw is-swar li llum idawwru din il-belt, filwaqt li wkoll bdew jinbnew anke xi ftit abitazzjonijiet.
Matul l-Assedju ta' l-1565, il-Gran Mastru Jean Parisot de la Vallette flimkien mal-Kavallieri u l-Maltin iddefendew l-attakk Ottoman fuq dawn il-gżejjer. Din il-belt kellha s-sehem tagħha f'din id-difiża.
F'dan l-Assedju l-belt ta' l-Isla kellha sehem importanti u ewlieni f'din id-difiża. Minkejja l-attakki ħorox u ripetuti mill-marmalja Torka, din il-belt irreżistiet bil-qawwa kollha u b'kuraġġ liema bħalu. Tant hu hekk li wara t-tmiem ta' dan l-Assedju, il-Gran Mastru La Vallette żejjen lil din il-belt bit-titlu ta' qatt mirbuħa "Civitas Invicta". Din ir-rebħa ġiet iddikjarata nhar it-8 ta’ Settembru, il-ġurnata tal-festa tat-twelid t’Ommna Marija, li hija wkoll il-patruna ta’ l-Isla.
Matul it-tmexxija tal-Kavallieri f'Malta, din il-belt kompliet żiedet fl-importanza tagħha u għal żmien twil kienet meqjusa bħala t-tieni l-aktar belt importanti wara l-belt Kapitali Valletta. Ma' kienux ftit dawk il-Kavallieri li bnew djarhom f'din il-belt ta' l-Isla. Dan wassal biex f'din il-belt kien hawn livell ta' ħajja għoli meta mqabbel ma' postijiet oħra fil-gżejjer Maltin.
Fis-sena 1596, il-baħrin lokali ikkontribwixxu sabiex iwaqqfu knisja u kunvent iddedikati lill-Ommna Marija, liema knisja u kunvent iħarsu lejn il-Port il-Kbir. Il-Gvernatur Mayor Sir Henry F. Bouverie ħa f’idejh dan il-kunvent sabiex ikun jista’ jservi ta’sptar matul il-pesta tal-1837.
Wara li l-Kavallieri ġew imkeċċija minn Malta mal-wasla ta' Napulju Bonaparti, din il-belt reġgħet sfat għal darb'oħra fi stat ta' assedju. F'dan iż-żmien il-belt ta' l-Isla kienet tifforma parti mill-Muniċipalita’ magħmula mill-ibliet ta' madwar il-port li kienu mdawwra bis-swar.
Matul iż-żminijiet imqallba taħt il-ħakma tal-Franċiżi fl-1798 u fis-snin ta' transizzjoni fil-perjodu bikri tal-ħakma Ingliża, l-abitanti ta' l-Isla kellhom sehem kbir u ewlieni fil-formazzjoni ta' era ġdida għal Malta.
Numru ta’ Sengleani kienu ġew akkużati li kkommettew tradiment fil-konfront tal-Franċiżi u b’konsegwenza ta’ dan kienu sparawlhom. Is-suldati Maltin li kienu stazzjonati ġewwa Corradino Heights, ibbumbardjaw lill-kontiġenti Franċiżi li kienu ġewwa l-Isla. Dan kien irrisulta f’devastazzjoni ta’ sebgħin dar ġewwa l-Isla. Il-Franċiżi ma tantx damu hawn Malta u kien ġew imġiegħla jitilqu mill-Ingliżi fl-1800.
Matul il-ħakma Ingliża fuq Malta, il-forza Navali Ingliża ħadet taħt it-tmexxija tagħha it-Tarzna li kienu bnew il-Kavallieri fuq naħa waħda ta' l-Isla. Matul iż-żminijiet, l-Ingliżi komplew żviluppaw din it-Tarzna in-naħa l-oħra ta' l-Isla.
Dan fiħ innifsu kien ta' benefiċċju għall-ġid ta' l-Isla. Iżda fl-aħħar mill-aħħar dan wassal biex fl-aħħar Gwerra Dinija waslet għall-qerda tal-belt ta' l-Isla, billi din it-tarzna kienet il-mira ewlenija ta' l-għadu biex jeqridha. Għalkemm il-gżejjer Maltin kienu taħt attakk kontinwu, bejn Ġunju 1940 sa Awissu ta' l-1943, dan iż-żmien kien l-aktar li din il-belt ġarrbet ħsarat u sofriet miżerji kbar peress li din il-belt ġiet kważi meqruda u r-residenti kellhom jitilqu mid-djar tagħhom.
L-isfreġu li din il-belt sofriet matul il-gwerra issa ġie rranġat u din il-belt reġgħet bdiet tagħti kontribut lejn l-avvanż u l-iżvilupp tal-gżejjer Maltin.
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Il-Gran Mastru Juan D’Homedes
Il-Kavallier Aragoniż, Juan D’Homedes ġiet elett Gran Mastru nhar l-20 t’Ottubru 1536. Dan il-Gran Mastru l-ġdid kien raġel ta’ karattru sod u ġellied qalbieni li sfortunatament tilef għajn waħda waqt l-Assedju l-Kbir ta’ Rodi. Fl-1551, flotta ta’ 90 xini u 50 galljotta b’10,000 raġel fuqha taħt il-kmandant furban Dragut, salpaw lejn Malta sabiex jieħdu din il-gżira taħt idejhom. L-Ordni ma kienetx ippreparata għal dan l-attakk tal-flotta imma D’Homedes ma tilef l-ebda ħin milli jiddisponi l-armata għall-aħjar vantaġġi. Il-biċċa l-kbira tal-flotta ankraw ġewwa San Pawl il-Baħar filwaqt li l-bqija tal-flotta daħlu fil-Port ta’ l-Imġarr, Għawdex. L-Għawdxin kienu imġiegħla iċedu u 6,000 abitant Għawdxi kienu ittieħdu bħala skjavi, filwaqt li l-invażuri serqu l-Kastelli u l-villaġġi tal-madwar.
L-Ordni kienet avżata li Malta segħtet tkun il-mira tat-Torok. Il-Gran Mastru Juan D’Homedes ippjana li jtejjeb id-difiża tal-gżira billi jkabbar il-Forti Sant Iermu u l-bini tal-Forti San Mikiel (Isla) kif ukoll is-swar tal-Birgu.
Il-Gran Mastru D’Homedes miet fl-eta ta’ 80 sena fis-6 ta’ Settembru 1553 u ġie midfun fil-kantina ta’ Sant’Anġlu.
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Gran Mastru Claude de La Sengle
Claude de La Sengle kien nobbli Franċiż, Grand Hospitaller ta’ l-Ordni u Ambaxxatur fil-Qorti tal-Papa Julju III u wara kien ġie elett Gran Mastru fl-1553. La Sengle ordna li jinbena sur b’saħtu fil-ponta ta’Isla. Sabiex tonora l-fundatur u l-benefattur tagħha, il-belt ta’l-Isla ħadet isimha minn dan il-Gran Mastru - Senglea . Biex jitħaffef ix-xogħol tal-ġebel, il-ġebel beda jittieħed mill-kanali li kien hemm imħaffrin il-barra mis-swar. Il-Gran Mastru La sengle qabbad lill-inġinier Taljan Nicolo Bellavanti sabiex jieħu ħsieb ix-xogħol ta’ rinfurzar tal-fortifikazzjonijiet.
Fl-1555 uragan laqat il-Gzejjer Maltin u ħafna djar u propjetajiet ġew meqruda. L-Iskwadrun tax-Xwieni ġie devastat, 4 mix-xwieni inqalbu, għerqu u ikkawżaw il-mewt ta’ 600 raġel. Din kienet daqqa ta’ ħarta għall-Malta minħabba li issa kienu spiċċaw bla xwieni f’każ li jinqala l-bżonn ta’ difiża. L-Ordni ta’ San Ġwann ma kienetx f’posizzjoni li jġibu xwieni ġodda minnħabba problemi finanzjarji. La Sengle ikkontribwixxa flus minn butu sabiex jinbena xini ġdid bl-isem ta’ San Claudio. Sab ukoll xi għajnuna mingħand Papa Pawlu IV, Ir-Re Filippu II ta’ Spanja, Il-Pirjol ta’ Franza Francois De Loriane u il-Pirjol ta’ St.Gilves.
Claude de La Sengle kellu relazzjoni tajba ma’ Franza u Spanja, li dawn kien allejati ma’ xulxin u għedewwa ta’ Sqallija u kellhom ukoll kontroll fuq il-Mediterran tal-Punent. Il-Viċi Re ta’ Sqallija, Giovanni De Vaga talab lill-Ordni ta’ San Ġwann sabiex jieħdu Mehdia li tinsab l-Afrika f’idejhom, iżda dawn irrifjutaw u minħabba f’hekk, il-Viċi Re waqqaf l-esportazzjoni ta’ qamħ f’Malta. Minħabba din il-qagħda kritika, intalbet l-għajnuna ta’ l-inginier Palermitan Vincenzo Vogo sabiex ikun jista’ jimmodernizza l-imtieħen filwaqt li l-Papa kien intervjena billi ipprovda l-qamħ skond id-domanda li kien hawn.
Il-Pirjol ta’ Franza De Loraine kien qarib tar-Re ta’ Franza u għalhekk beda joħloq pressjoni fuq La Sengle sabiex itih f’idejh il-kmand tal-flotta. Biex iżomm ir-relazzjonijiet tajbin li kellu ma’ Franza, La sengle ta lil De Loraine il-kmand ta’ l-Iskawdrun tal-flotta. Din ma kienetx għażla għaqlija fil-konfront tat-Taljani u l-Kavallieri Spanjoli minħabba l-fatt li De Loraine ma kellux esperjenza navali. Fl-1557 l-Iskwadrun tal-Flotta taħt il-kmand ta’ De Loraine ġew melgħuba u umiljati mill-flotta Torka. Din kienet daqqa ta’ ħarta kbira għall- Maltin kif ukoll ta’ mistħija għall-Gran Mastru.
Wara dan l-avveniment, La Sengle beda jħossu għajjien u ma jiflaħx u biex isabbar lilu nnifsu beda jmur jikkaċċja ġewwa l-Busket.Claude de La Sengle miet fit-18 ta’Awwissu fl-1557. Wara l-mewta tiegħu, l-Ordni wirtet it-teżori kollha li kellu li kienu jinkludu wkoll 80,000 skud. Il-katavru tiegħu jinsab midfun fil-kantina ta’ Sant’Anġlu filwaqt li qalbu tpoġġiet fil-Knisja Karmelitana ta’ l-Annunzjata ġewwa l-Buskett fir-Rabat.
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Dati Importanti fl-Istorja ta’ l-Isla u Malta
| 1311 |
Il-pedament tal-Knisja ta’ San Ġiljan fl-erja li kienet tiġi użata bħala post għal kaċċa faċċata tal-Birgu, magħrufa bhala Isola. Huwa magħruf li dan kien l-ewwel bini ġewwa din il-belt li imbagħad kienet ingħatat l-isem Senglea. |
| 1552 |
Fit-8 ta’ Mejju 1552, beda ix-xogħol fuq il-pedament tal-Forti San Mikiel . Ix-xogħol imbaghad kien tlesta s-sena ta’ wara fl-1533 taħt it-tmexxija tal-Gran Mastru Juan d’Homedes fuq il-pjanta tal-Perit Pedro Pardo. |
| 1550 |
Il-Bini tal-belt imdawra bis-swar. L-erja li kienet magħrufa bħala Isola di San Giuliano jew Isola di San Michele, ġiet mogħtija l-istatus ta’ belt mill-Gran Mastru Claude de la Sengle li wara ġiet imsemmija għalih – “Senglea”. Il-belt ta’ l-Isla issa bdiet tikber u tieħu s-sura tagħha. |
| 1565 |
Matul l-Assedju l-Kbir, l-Isla kienet involuta bil-kbir fl-assalt pero qatt ma ntrebħet. B’riżultat ta’ dan, il-Gran Mastru Jean Parisot de La Valette ta t-titlu lill-Belt ta’ l-Isla bħala “Civitas Invicta” (il-belt qatt mirbuħa). |
| 1581 |
L-Isla saret Paroċċa, iddedikata għan-Nativita’ ta’ Ommna Marija. |
| 1618 |
Is-sena meta waslet l-istatwa t’Ommna Marija magħrufa bħala l-Bambina. L-istatwa tal-Bambina ġiet mogħtija lill-kommunita’ Sengleana. |
| 1676 |
L-Isla bħal bqija tal-bliet u rħula Maltin ġiet milqgħuta mill-marda qerrieda tal-pesta. Permezz ta’ din il-marda, mietu numru sostanzjali ta’ abitanti ġewwa din il-belt. |
| 1794 |
Nicola u Madalena (nee’ Cornelio) ħallew il-propjetajiet u il-wirt kollu tagħhom taħt l-amministrazzjoni tal-Konfraternita tal-Kurċifiss sabiex wara mewthom, djarhom jiġu mibdula bħala Ospizio għan-nies fil-bżonn speċjalment għall-anzjani. Izjed tard dan l-Ospizio sar Dar għall-Anzjani. |
| 1798 |
L-Isla ħadet sehem b’mod attiv fil-battalja kontra l-Franċiżi li dawn kienu ġew imkeċċija mill-Ingliżi u mill-Maltin fl-1800. |
| 1813 |
L-Isla ġiet meħlusa mill-marda tal-pesta li reġgħet laqtet il-gżejjer Maltin. Bħala sinjal ta’ gratitudni ta’ dan il-ħelsien mill-pesta, ġiet mibnija statwa ta’ Ommna Marija u mpoġġija fil-qalba ta’ din il-belt. |
| 1835
- 1839 |
Permezz ta’ l-isforzi u l-pressjoni li għamel Gorg Mitrovich, li saħansitra kien mar personalment Londra għal petizzjoni u ppreżenta l-każ ta’ Malta bil-kitba, tejjeb id-drittijiet u l-liberta’ tal-Maltin taħt l-Ingliżi bil-kuntatti li kellu mal-House of Commons. Mitrovich kien ipprotesta kontra l-Kunsill tal-Gvern li kien imwaqqaf biex jagħti l-pariri lill-gvernatur fl-1835. Skond Mitrovich, il-kunsill ma kienx jirrifletti r-rappreżentanza tal-Maltin għaliex il-membri tal-Kunsill kienu jiġu magħżula mil-gvernatur innifsu. Riżultat tal-pressjoni li kien qiegħed jagħmel,l-Ingliżi bgħatu Kummissjoni Rjali fl-1836 sabiex jistudjaw is-sitwazzjoni u jirrapurtaw lura s-soluzzjonijiet mill-aktar fis. Wieħed jista’ jgħid li dan kien l-ewwel pass għal awtonomija wara d-Dichiarazione dei Diritti ta’ l-1800. Fuq l-inizzjattiva tas-senglean Gorg Mitrovich, Malta ingħatat il-Liberta’ tal-Kitba fil-Gazzetta fl-1839 wara r-rapport li kien ħareġ mill-Kummissjoni Rjali. Wara dan l-iżvilupp l-ewwel gazzetti lokali ta’ kuljum ġew ippublikati. |
| 1921 |
L-istatwa tal-Madonna tal-Vittorja (il-Bambina) ġiet ikkurunata mis-Sengleani b’kuruna tad-deheb u ħaġar prezzjuż nhar l-4 ta’ Settembru 1921. Iżjed qabel il-parroċċa ta’l-Isla ġiet mogħtija it-titlu ta’ Bażilika mill-Papa Benedittu XV. Is-Senglean Mons Ignazio Panzavecchia ġie maħtur bħala l-ewwel Prim Ministru Malti fil-kostituzzjoni awtonoma fl-1921. Madanakollu minħabba l-posizzjoni ekklesjastika tiegħu, ħalla l-għola posizzjoni fil-Gvern. Warajh kien ġie maħtur Prim Ministru Joseph Howard. |
| 1939
- 1945 |
Matul it-Tieni Gwerra Dinija, l-Isla ġarbet bosta bumbardamenti ħorox li dawn għamlu ħerba mill-biċċa l-kbira tal-belt. Ġew ikkawżati wkoll bosta mwiet. Il-belt kollha u l-bliet ta’ l-inħawi ġew evakwati. Żewġ dati importanti għall-istorja ta’l-Isla matul il-gwerra kienu is-16 ta’ Jannar 1941 u 20 ta’ Ġunju 1943. Dak inhar tas-16 ta’ Jannar 1941 kien sar bumbardament qawwi mill-Luftwaffe fuq l-HMS Illustrious ġewwa Kordin li kien ħalla ħafna ħsara u mwiet filwaqt li nhar l-20 ta’ Ġunju 1943 ir-Re Ġorġ VI żar din il-belt u faħħarha għal qlubija tagħha. |
| 1987 |
Id-dar ta’l-anzjani Sant’Anna reġgħet ġiet miftuħa wara li kien sar xogħol ta’ tibdil fl-istuttura. Din id-dar li nbniet fuq hekk imsejjaħ Ospizio, issa kienet qegħda tikkomoda madwar 30 anzjan. |
| 1990 |
Il-Papa Ġwanni Pawlu II għamel iż-żjara tiegħu ġewwa l-Isla nhar is-26 ta’ Mejju. Dan huwa moment storiku ieħor għall-Isla. |
| 1991 |
F’nhar il-50 anniversarju mis-16 ta’ Jannar 1941, ġie nawgurat monument bħala tifkira għas-sengleani li mietu matul il-gwerra. |
| 1994 |
Nhar id-19 ta'Marzu 1994 saret l-ewwel elezzjoni għall-Kunsill Lokali. L-ewwel Sindku ta' l-Isla kien Sur.Stephen Perici. Sussegwentament inżammu elezzjonijiet għal Kunsill Lokali fis-6 ta'Marzu 1996, 13 ta' Marzu 1999, fid-9 ta' Marzu 2002, fit-12 ta' Marzu 2005, fit-8 ta' Marzu 2008 u fl-10 ta' Marzu 2012. Is-Sindku preżenti huwa is-Sur Justin John Camilleri. |
| 1998 |
Ġie iċċelebrat għall-ewwel darba “Jum l-Isla”. Din id-data ġiet magħżula biex jitfakkar it-tqegħid ta’ l-ewwel ġebla tal-Forti San Mikiel u kienet ingħatat it-titlu ta’belt. |
| 2008 |
Nhar l-Erbgħa, id-19 ta’ Novembru, matul ċerimonja uffiċjali fis-sede tal-Kumitat tar-Reġjuni (KtR), tħabbru r-riżultati tar-Regional Champions Awards 2008 tar-rivista Regional Review, li saru bil-kooperazzjoni tal-Kumitat tar-Reġjuni.
B’għaxar kategoriji differenti, dawn il-premji għandhom l-għan li jidentifikaw u jservu ta’ vetrina għall-aħjar eżempji ta’ innovazzjoni u l-aqwa prattiki reġjonali madwar ir-reġjuni kollha tal-UE filwaqt li jinxteħet dawl fuq proġetti li jistgħu jkunu ta’ eżempju għar-reġjuni l-oħrajn.
Il-Kunsill Lokali ta’ l-Isla rebaħ il-premju prestiġjuż magħruf bħala European Regional Champions Awards 2008 fil-kategorija għad-Djalogu Interkulturali. |
| 2009 |
Il-Kunsill Lokali Isla bil-kollaborazzjoni mas-Segretarjat Parlamentari għad-Djalogu Pubbliku u Informazzjoni organizza Festival Marittimu nhar il-Ħadd 17 ta’ Mejju f’ Xatt Juan B. Azopardo mill-Maċina sa’ l-Ponta ta’ l-Isla. L-attrazzjonijiet ewlenin kienu jinkludu esebizzjoni mill-iSwadra Marittima tal-Forzi Armati ta’ Malta, il-funzjoni tal-Maċina b’repplika tal-krejn li kien jintuża’ biex ineħħi l-arbli minn fuq il-bastimenti, diorama ta’ l-HM Naval Base, Xprunara, Tarzna Tradizzjonali Maltija, Purcissjoni bl-iStatwa ta’ Marija Bambina sabiex jitfakkar il-8 ta’ Settembru 1943. |
| 2010 |
L-Isla terbaħ l-unur tal-Premju EDEN 2010 ( Destinazzjoni Ewropea ta’ Eċċellenza) fit-Turiżmu Akwatiku.
Għar-raba’ sena l-Awtorita’ Maltija ghat-Turizmu ipparteċipat fil-programm Destinazzjoni Ewropea ta’ Eċċellenza (EDEN). Dan il-progett ko-finanzjat mill-Unjoni Ewropea ġie żviluppat mill-Kummissjoni Ewropea bl-għan li jippromwovi mudelli ta’ turiżmu sostenibbli madwar l-Ewropa.
It-tema maghzula kienet it-turizmu akwatiku bl-Isla tikkompeti ma’ bliet kostali ohra li implimentaw turiżmu akwatiku sostenibbli – proġetti relatati fl-aħħar 3 snin, bl-Isla l-unur. Il-Kunsill Lokali Isla ippreżenta l-Festival Marittimu Senglea bħala l-proġett ewlieni tagħhom. Dan l-avveniment, li ġie imtella’ f’ Mejju tas-sena l-oħra iffoka fuq l-infurzar ta’ l-identita’ Sengleana bħala Marittima u titqajjem kuxjenza fuq l-irbit storiku marittimu.
Ċerimonja ta’ l-għoti tal- premju ġiet imtella’ mill-Awtorita’ Maltija għat-Turiżmu inżammet ġewwa Ġnien il-Gardjola nhar is-27 ta’ Mejju 2010.
Il-Kummisjoni Ewropea żammet ċerimonja uffiċċjali ġewwa Brussel fis-27 ta’ Settembru 2010 fejn il-Viċi President ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea is-Sur Antonio Tajani ippreżenta il-premju. Kellna wkoll l-opportunita’ li nieħdu sehem fl-esebizzjoni ta’ l-EDEN flimkien ma’ l-24 destinazzjoni t’ Eċċellenza għas-sena 2010 fl-okkazzjoni tal-Ġurnata Ewropea iddedikata lit-Turiżmu. |
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History of Locality:
Senglea was referred to as Isola meaning an island even though it is a peninsula. The majority of its perimeter is surrounded by sea except the narrow fragment adjacent to the City of Cospicua. The local topography supplemented by the beauty of nature made Isola the favourite recreational site amongst the Knights of the Order of St. John. During his reign as Grand Master Fra Philipo Villers de l'Isle Adam planted large quantities of olive trees to make this stretch of land an ideal hunting ground. The Spanish Grand Master Fra Juan d'Homedes was fascinated by the pulchritude of the grove and as a matter of fact Casa Magistrale, the Grand Master's resort was built here. He also initiated a programmeto fortify the peninsula. The activity of the Order's Arsenal and fleet generated employment for many workers who were seeking accommodation in this region.
In 1553 the French Grand Master Fra Claude de La Sengle transformed this promontory into a fortified city which still bears his name, “Senglea”. In order to facilitate access the city was built on a grid plan, this arrangement proved very practical and was later adopted for the construction of the Capital City of Valletta. Families were encouraged by the Grand Master to dwell in Senglea by offering land and houses at nominal prices. The Fort dominating the city entrance was named St. Michael as it was commissioned on the 8thMay 1552, the Archangel's feast day. Sheer bastion, the palaces of the Captains of the Galleys and the store which housed the chain used to block the Galley Port during the Great Siege are existing structures coupled with the Order's naval activities.
During the 1565 Siege Senglea was ravaged by furious attacks launched by the Muslims who failed to conquer the city. Hence this city was bestowed with the title of “Invincible City”. Victory was declared on 8th September, the feast day of the Nativity of Our Lady, the city's Patron Saint.
In 1596 the local mariners contributed for the erection of the Church and Convent overlooking Grand Harbour dedicated to Our Lady of Safe Haven. Governor Mayor Sir Henry F. Bouverie took over the convent to serve as a hospital during the 1837 plague.
The French Occupation of 1798 brought misery and hardships on the Maltese including the inhabitants of Senglea. A number of Sengleans were accused of committing treason against France and were consequently shot. Maltese soldiers positioned on Corradino Heights bombarded French contingents stationed in Senglea, this resulted in the destruction of seventy houses in the locality. The French Control was short lived and they were forced to leave Malta in 1800.
The British took over and gradually influenced the inhabitants' way of living. The British Admirality confiscated the site and wharves underneath Senglea bastions facing Corradino Heights to be converted into a Naval Dockyard. In order to suit Admiralty requirements, the configuration of the said bastions was altered. Established local shipyards and shipbuilders had to move to the new port at Marsa. At that time the shipbuilding industry was undergoing a period of transition, consequently the majority of these yards became redundant. The ship yards of the Sengleans Gregorio Mirabitur and Lorenzo and Salvatore German and many others provided for the local economy. The Senglean sculptor Vincenzo Bonnici built one hundred and fifty ship figureheads in his workshops in Victory Street, Senglea.
During World War II the city was shattered by enemy air bombardments and was reduced to a mere shell, many lives and possessions were lost. The Imposing Basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Victories was destroyed during brutal air strikes such as those on HMS lllustrious berthed in French Creek on 16 of January 1941. Air raids were a daily occurrence and the exodus of many Sengleans was inevitable. King George VI visited the devastated City in 1943 and perceived the catastrophe. On September the 8th, 1943 Italy surrendered to the allies, a naval messenger delivered this news to the Parish Priest while the procession with the statue of Our Lady of Victory reached the Marina. Once again the city of Senglea established itself invincible.
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 Grand Master Juan D'Homedes
The Aragonese Knight Juan D'Homedes was elected Grand Master on 20th October 1536. The new Grand Master was a man of strong character and fought bravely for the Order, unfortunately he lost an eye in the Great Siege of Rhodes. In 1551 a fleet of ninety galleys and fifty galiots with ten thousand men on board under the command of corsair Dragut sailed towards Malta to conquer the Island. The Order was not prepared to meet this force and D'Homedes lost no time in disposing the army to the best advantage. Although outnumbered the Knights managed to keep the Turkish warships away from Grand Harbour. Consequently the majority of the Turkish Fleet anchored at St. Paul's Bay and the rest manoeuvred into Mgarr Harbour, Gozo. The Gozitans were forced to surrender and six thousand inhabitants were taken as slaves and the invaders pillaged the Castle and the nearby villages. In 1552 there were rumours of another invasion from the Turks. Instead the Turkish Army attacked Tripoli and took it over.
The Order was aware that Malta would be the next target. Grand Master Juan D'Homedes planned to improve the defence of the island by enlarging Fort St. Elmo, building Fort St. Michael at Isola, and strengthening the bastions at Borgo. This feared attack did not take place thus the Knights afforded to send an expedition to the States of Barbary that resulted in a total failure.
Grand Master D'Homedes died at the age of eighty on 6th September 1553 and was buried in the vault of St. Angelo.
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 Grand Master Claude De La Sengle
Claude de La Sengle a French noble and Grand Hospitaller of the Order and Ambassador at the Court of Pope Julius III was elected Grand Master in 1553. La Sengle ordered the building of a strong bastion to be built at Isola Point within which a new city began to take shape. To honour her founder and benefactor, this city bears the Grand Master's name – “Senglea”. The building stone was taken from the ditches dug outside the bastions to ensure a speedy operation. This Grand Master commissioned the Italian engineer Nicolo Bellavanti to supervise work in connection with the strengthening of the fortifications.
In 1555 a hurricane struck the Maltese Islands and many houses and properties were damaged. The Galley Squadron in the Harbour was devastated, four galleys capsized and sunk causing the death of six hundred men. This was a great blow for Malta as no warships were available to defend in case of an eventuality. The Order of St John was not in a position to replace the lost warships mainly due to financial constraints. La Sengle contributed from his personal finances for the construction of a new galley which he named San Claudio. Assistance came from Pope Paul IV, King Philip II of Spain, the Grand Prior of France Francois De Loriane and the Grand Prior of St. Gilves.
Claude de La Sengle maintained good relations with France and Spain as these two nations were at loggerheads with each other and were rivals for the supremacy of Sicily and the control of the Western Mediterranean. The Viceroy of Sicily, Giovanni De Vaga demanded the Order of St. John to conquer Mehdia in Africa, which demand was later rejected. In retaliation the Viceroy stopped the exportation of wheat to Malta. To mitigate this unpleasant situation, the assistance of the Palermitan engineer Vincenzo Vogo was sought to modernize the windmills, meanwhile the Pope intervened and sent enough wheat to meet demands.
The Prior of France De Loraine, a relative of the king of France, made pressure on La Sengle to hand him the command of the fleet. To sustain good relations with France La Sengle assigned De Loraine Captain of the Galley Squadron. This was an unwise decision opposed by the Italian and Spanish Knights, knowing that De Loraine lacked naval experience. In 1557 the Galley Squadron under the command of De Loriane was defeated and humiliated by the Turkish Fleet. This was a great blow for Malta and an embarrasment for the Grand Master.
After this incident La Sengle became ill and weak and tried to comfort himself by hunting at Boschetto. The Grand Master respected his subjects and never enacted any kind of injustice or hardship on the Maltese. Claude de La Sengle passed away on 18th August 1557. The Order inherited all his treasures including 80,000 scudi. His Corpse was laid in the vault of St. Angelo and his heart was deposited in the Carmelite Church of the Annunciation near Boschetto at Rabat.
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Important
Dates and Landmarks in Senglea's and Malta's History.
| 1311 |
Foundation of the Church dedicated to St.Julian in an area predominantly used as hunting ground opposite to Birgu, known as Isola. This is known to be the first building on what was to become Senglea. |
| 1552 |
On the 8th of May 1552 the foundation stone of Fort St.Michael was laid. The works on the Fort were concluded a year later in 1553 under the Leadership of Grand Master Juan D’Homedes and after the design of Architect Pedro Pardo. |
| 1550 |
Construction of the Walled Town of Senglea. The area previously known as Isola di San Giuliano or Isola di San Michele, was given the status of a city by Grand Master Claude de la Sengle, and named after him, Senglea. The City of Senglea now begins to take shape. |
| 1565 |
During the Great Siege Senglea was deeply involved in the conflict and remained unconquered. As a result of its invincibility and gallantry, the city of Senglea was bestowed by Grand Master Jean Parisot de La Valette with the title of Civitas Invicta (the Unconquered City). |
| 1581 |
Senglea becomes a Parish, dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady. |
| 1618 |
Estimated date of arrival and donation of the statue of Our Lady, later to become popularly known as Il-Bambina. |
| 1676 |
Senglea severely hit by the plague that ravaged the Maltese Islands. A substantial number of local inhabitants died in this plague. |
| 1794 |
Nicola and Madalena Dingli (nee’Cornelio)’s last will left their property and possessions under the administration of the Confraternity of the Crucifix, so that after their death their home could be transformed into an Ospizio (home) for the needy, especially the elderly. This Ospizio was later transformed into a home for the elderly. |
| 1798 |
Senglea played an active role in the blockade against the French who were ousted by the British and Maltese in 1800. |
| 1813 |
Senglea was spared from the devastation of yet another plague. As a sign of gratitude for this deliverance, a statue of Our Lady was erected in the heart of the city and still stands to this day. |
| 1835
- 1839 |
Through the efforts and pressure of Senglean Gorg Mitrovich, who even went personally to London to petition and present Malta’s case in writing, and by the contacts he had in the House of Commons through the Liberals, improved freedoms and rights for the Maltese under the British. Mitrovich protested against the Council of Government that was set up to advise the Governor in 1835. According to Mitrovich the council did not reflect the representation of the Maltese as chosen by the Maltese themselves, since the members on the Council were appointed by the Governor himself. As a result of Mitrovich’s pressure the British sent over a Royal Commission in 1836 to study the situation and report back on possible solutions. One could say that this was the first concrete step towards self government following the “Dichiarazione dei Diritti” earlier on in the 1800’s. Through the personal initiative of Senglean Gorg Mitrovich, Malta was granted the Freedom of the Press in 1839, following the report compiled by the local daily papers was published. |
| 1921 |
The statue of Our Lady of Victories (the Bambina) was crowned with a golden crown full of precious jewels by the Sengleans, on the 4th of September 1921. Earlier on the Parish Church was bestowed with the title of Basilica by Pope Benedict XV. Mons. Ignazio Panzavecchia, a Senglean was elected as the first Prime Minister of Malta in the first self Government constitution in 1921. However because of his ecclesiastical status, he declined to hold the highest position in Government. Joseph Howard was appointed Prime Minister following Mons Panzavecchia’s refusal. |
| 1939
- 1945 |
During the Second World War Senglea suffered severe bombing which devastated most of the city and caused many deaths. The entire city and neighbouring areas were evacuated.
Two of the most important dates during the war, of particular interest to Senglea were the 16th of January 1941, the heavy bombardment by the Luftwaffe on HMS Illustrious at Corradino, as a result of which Senglea was severely damaged and several casualties and deaths were registered, and June 20th 1943, when King George VI visited the devastated city and praised its gallantry. |
| 1987 |
The reopening, after a total refurbishment, of St. Anne's Home for the Elderly. The new home built on the former site now accommodates 30 old people. |
| 1990 |
Pope John Paul II visits Senglea on the 26th of May 1990. This was a historical moment in the already rich history of the city. |
| 1991 |
On the 50th Anniversary of the ill fated day in Senglea's history, that is the 16th of January 1941, a monument was unveiled to commemorate the local war dead. |
| 1994 |
The first Local Council of the City of Senglea was constituted following an election held on March 19th 1994. The first Mayor of Senglea was Mr Stephen Perici. Subsequent Council Elections were held on the 6th of March 1996, the 13th of March 1999, 9th March 2002, 12th March 2005, 8th March 2008 and 10th March 2012. The present Mayor is Justin John Camilleri. |
| 1998 |
Senglea
day commemorated for the first time on the
8th of May, (the date was chosen to commemorate
the foundation stone of Fort St. Michael,
considered the first step to the formation
of Senglea walled city. |
| 2008 |
Results for the Regional Review Magazine’s European Regional Champions Awards 2008, held in association with the Committee of the Regions (CoR), were announced Wednesday 19 November during an official ceremony in the CoR.
With ten different categories, the awards aim to identify and showcase the very best in regional innovation and best practices throughout EU regions, highlighting projects that can serve as examples to other regions.
The Isla Local Council won the prestigious European Regional Champions Awards 2008 under the category for Intercultural Dialogue. |
| 2009 |
The Isla Local Council in collaboration with the Parliamentary Secretariat for Public Dialogue and Information held the Senglea Maritime Festival. The cultural event took place on the Promenade from Macina Bastion to Senglea Point on Sunday May 17th. The main highlights included AFM Maritime Squadron, Sheer Legs traditionally known as “Il-Macina”, HM Naval Base, The last serving “Xprunara”, Traditional Maltese Boat Yard, Armistice 8 September 1943. |
| 2010 |
Isla wins the honour of the 2010 EDEN Award (European Destinations of Excellence) for Aquatic Tourism.
For the 4th year the Malta Tourism Authority has participated in the European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) project. This EU co-funded, which was developed by the European Commission aims at promoting sustainable tourism models across Europe.
This year’s theme – Aquatic Tourism targeted coastal localities which have implemented a sustainable aquatic tourism – related project during the last 3 years, with Isla winning the honour. Isla Local Council presented the Senglea Maritime Festival as their main project. The full-day event, which was held in May of last year aimed at reinforcing Isla’s identity as a maritime city and raise awareness about its historical marine ties.
An award ceremony held by the Malta Tourism Authority was held at the Gardjola Gardens on 27th May 2010.
An officially EDEN award ceremony was held by the European Commission in Brussels on 27th September 2010 where the Vice President of the European Commission Mr. Antonio Tajani presented the award. Also we had the opportunity to take part in the EDEN exhibition held on the European Tourism Day together with the other24 EDEN destinations for 2010. |
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Santwarju
Marija Bambina
 Fl-1581, ġewwa l-Isla inbniet knisja ddedikata lit-Twelid t’Ommna Marija bħala monument tar-rebħa tal-Kristjaniżmu fuq l-Islam fl-1565. Fl-istess sena din il-knisja saret Parroċċa u fit-8 ta’ Settembru 1595 beda x-xogħol sabiex tiġi mkabbra. Fl-1743 kien ġiet uffiċċjalment ikkonsagrata u fl-1783 ġiet pproklamata Collegiate Insigni, filwaqt li fl-1921 ġiet onorata bit-titlu ta’ Bażilika mill-Papa Benedittu XV. Fl-1750 ġiet mibnija kappella żgħira ddedikata lill-Purifikazzjoni t’Ommna Marija li kienet annessa mal-bażilika wara li din ġiet imwaqqa’ fit-Tieni Gwerra Dinija bl-attakki fuq il-bastiment HMS Illustrious. Huwa mifhum li din l-istatwa ġiet b’mod straordinarju – mill-baħar. Ġara li darba fost l-oħrajn, żewġ ċittadini mil-Isla kienu qegħdin ibaħħru l-oċejan Adrijatiku meta lemħu pulena tifflowtja f’wiċċ l-ilma. Dawn iż-żewġ ċittadini talbu lill-kaptan sabiex iħallihom jieħdu magħhom din il-pulena ġewwa l-paroċċa tagħhom, li għalihom din il-pulena kienet xbieha t’Ommna Marija. Leġġenda oħra dwar l-istatwa tal-‘Bambina’ kienet li din l-istatwa kienet miġjuba fuq vapur li minħabba maltemp kbir li sab, żbarka ruħu fuq din il-gżira u minn fuqha qatt ma reġa’ baħħar lura lejn id-destinazzjoni li kellu jmur fiha. ’Il fejn kienet id-destinazzjoni ta’ l-istatwa qatt ma kien sar magħruf. Matul is-sekli, bħala riżultat ta’ devozzjoni, din l-istatwa ġiet imżejna bil-ħaġar prezzjuż u inkurunata fl-4 ta’ Settembru 1921..
Il-Bażilika kienet saritilha ħsarat kbar matul it-Tieni Gwerra Dinija u ma setgħatx tiffunzjona bħala parroċċa. Reġgħet ġiet mibnija fl-1950. Ix-xogħol fuq il-knisja l-ġdida ġie komplut fl-1957 meta kienet reġgħet ġiet ikkonsagrata mill-ġdid.
Ġesu Redentur
Din l-istatwa ta’ Ġesu’ Redentur hija waħda mit-tmien statwi li jirrappreżentaw l-istazzjonijiet tal-passjoni ta’ Sidna Ġesu’ Kristu li jinsabu fil-Parroċċa ta’ l-Isla.
M’hemm l-ebda informazzjoni dwar minn fejn ġejja din l-istatwa jew min kien għamilha. Li huwa żgur li din l-istatwa ġejja minn żmien il-bidu tas-Seklu Tmintax.
Sa’ mill-bidu nett, is-Sengleani kienu devoti lejn Ġesu’ Redentur, li iżjed tard dan sar ċentru ta’ devozzjoni wkoll għal-kumplament tal-poplu Malti.
Matul it-tieni deċenju tas-Seklu Tmintax, il-Konfraternita tas-Salib Imqaddes waqfet kolleġjata fil-knisja sabiex jinbena oratorju anness mal-parroċċa għal visti u devozzjonijiet għal Ġesu’ Redentur.
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Knisja ta'
San Ġiljan
Il-Knisja ta’ San Ġiljan hija possibilment l-ewwel bini li nbena fuq din il-peninsula fl-1311. Din kienet reġgħet ġiet mibnija fl-1539 fuq l-istess pedamenti u disżinn minn Fra Diego de Malfreire li kien ġej mill-Langue of Castile u l-Portugall. Fl-1712 kienet reġgħet ġiet mibnija għal darb’oħra din id-darba fuq id-disinn ta’ Lorenzo Gafa. San Ġiljan huwa l-patrun tal-kaċċaturi u hi minħabba din ir-raġuni li din il-knisja hija ddedikata għalih għal fatt li originarjament l-Isla kienet użata mill-Kavallieri bħala art biex jikkaċċjaw minn fuqha.
| 1539 |
Kavallier
Fra Diego Perez De Malfreise ħa ħsieb
li minn flusu jwaqqa u jibni mill-ġdid
il-knisja fuq disinn u pjanti tiegħu stess. |
 |
| 1565 |
Matul
l-Assedju l-Kbir din il-kappella serviet
bħala Knisja għal servizzi reliġjużi u
pridki, post ta' faraġ u ta' refuġju għall-popolazzjoni
lokali li kienet qed tiġi ssedjata, għall-kavallieri
u għas-suldati. |
| 1693 |
L-agħar terrimot ta' storja jolqot lill-Malta,
din il-knisja iġġarrab ħsarat kbar. |
| 1699 |
Ġie
deċiż li l-knisja ta' San Ġiljan titwaqqa'
għal kollox minħabba li ma' kinitx fi
stat tajjeb. |
| 1712 |
Tlesta
għal kollox il-bini mill-ġdid tal-knisja
fuq il-pjanta ta' l-arkitett Lorenzo Gafa'. |
| 1941 |
Fl-aħħar
gwerra dinjija il-bini ta' madwar il-knisja
ta' San Ġiljan waqa' kollu. Il-knisja
nnifisha baqgħet sħiħa, sofriet blast
tal-bombi biss. |
| 2001 |
Sar
restawr estensiv tal-knisja minn ġewwa. |
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Kunvent
San Filippu fl-Isla
Bejn l-1596 u l-1610, baħrin lokali ikkontribixxew għal bini ta’ knisja fuq l-Għolja tal-Mitħna iddedikata lill-San Filippu kif ukoll għal Ommna Marija tal-Visitaturi magħrufa wkoll bħala Ommna Marija ta’ Portu Salvu. L-isem Portu Salvu ġej mill-isem ta’ Porto Salvo li tfisser “safe harbour” jew “haven”. Il-Knisja kellha rwol importanti fl-iżvilupp tal-belt ta’ l-Isla u fl-organizzazzjoni tas-seafarers fl-1598 bil-ġurisdizzjoni tal-knisja. Il-Komunita’ (Oratorju) ta’ San Filippu Neri li kienet stabbilita fl-1662, ħa f’idejh dan il kunvent bħala l-monasteru tagħhom.
Dawn reġgħu bnewh fl-1664. Fl-1781, il-Kunvent imbagħad ġie mogħti lill-komunita’ tal-Ġiżwiti imma dan imbagħad ġie meħud mil-gvernatur Ingliż Sir Henry Bouverie fl-1837 sabiex iservi bħala sptar għall-vittmi ta’l-epidemija tal-kolera. Wara l-knisja reġgħet waqgħet f’idejn il-Ġiżwiti li damu fil-ħidma pastorali tagħhom sa’ Settembru 2008. F’Ottubru ta’ l-istess sena ġew is-Salesjani biex jibdew il-ħidma tagħhom fl-Isla.
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Sehem
l-Isla fir-Regatta
Kitba tas-Sur Joseph Serracino
It-tradizzjoni
tat-tiġrijiet tad-dgħajjes fil-portijiet tagħna
hija marbuta stroikament ma' l-Isla. Fil-fatt
nafu b'żewġ tiġrijiet popolari li huma intimament
marbutin marbutin l-Isla u li t-tnejn ġew organizzati
mill-barklori u s-sajjieda Sengleani.
Ħafna
storiċi huma tal-fehma li l-ewwel tiġrija tad-dgħajjes
li saret fil-portijiet tagħna kienet dik tal-Portu
Salvu li taf il-bidu tagħha għall-ħabta ta' l-1639.
Din it-tiġrija kienet issir fit-2 ta' Lulju, f'Jum
il-festa tal-Viżitazzjoni ta' Marija Santissima
wara nofsinhar, u kellha rabta kbira mal-knisja
tal-Portu Salvu ta' l-Isla, magħrufa aktar fost
is-Sengleani bħala l-Knisja ta' San Filippu.
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It-Tiġrija
tal-Portu Salvu
Il-korsa
ta' din it-tiġrija kienet itwal minn dik tal-Vitorja
u t-tluq tagħha kien isir mill-bokka tal-Port
il-Kbir sal Ponta ta' l-Isla. Il-prokuraturi ta'
l-imsemmija knisja kienu jassistu għal din it-tiġrija
qrib it-Torri d'Orsi (fejn illum hemm ir-Rikażli)
u s-sinjal tat-tluq kien isir b'tir ta' masklu.
Għal din it-tiġrija popolari, l-imħallfin u l-fizzjali
tal-qorti kienu imorru in forma l-Ponta ta' l-Isla
biex minn hemm jaraw it-tiġrija u wara jqassmu
l-palji tal-ħarir lir-rebbieħa ta' kull kategorija
fost il-briju kbir tan-nies miġbura. Interessanti
ħu l-fatt, li din it-tiġrija kienet tiġbed ukoll
l-attenzjoni tal-Gran Mastru li ta' kull sena
kien jaqsam bil-gondla għall-Isla, u wara t-tiġrija
kien jistieden lill-uffiċjali u lill-ministri
tiegħu għar-riċeviment f'Casa Magistrale.
Meta
f'nofs is-seklu 18 din it-tiġrija waqfet għal
xi snin minħabba l-għadd kbir ta' bastimenti Maltin
sorġuti fil-Port, xi whud bdew jaħsbu li din it-tradizzjoni
antika kienet se tispiċċa għal kollox, iżda meta
reġgħhet bdiet issir, in-nies tħeġġet mill-ġdid
u f'qasir żmien reġgħet kisbet dik il-popolarita'
kbira li kienet tgawdi qabel fost in-nies tal-Port
il-Kbir. Jingħad li din it-tiġrija ġiet fi tmiemha
fl-aħħar snin tas-seklu 19.
Bosta
mill-familji Sengleani li kienu joqogħdu fl-inħawi
tal-Ponta u li kienu jiffrekwentaw il-knisja ta'
San Filippu kienu onoraw dan it-titlu (Portu Salvu)
billi waqqfu monument żgħir tal-ġebel b'kwadru
bix-xbieha tal-Madonna tal-Portu Salvu taħt il-mina
(Sully Port) li tagħti għal Triq is-Sirena u li
minnha taqbad it-taraġ biex tinżel il-Ponta.
Jingħad
li sa qabel l-Ewwel Gwerra Dinjija (1914 - 1918)
din ix-xbieha tal-Madonna dejjem kienet tkun imżejna
bil-fjuri, u x-xemgħa qatt ma naqset minn quddiemha
lejl u nhar. Skond ix-xjuħ tagħna, sat-Tieni Gwerra
Dinjija (1939-1945) f'jum il-festa tal-Portu Salvu,
din in-niċċa kienet għadha tiżżejjen bid-damask
u madwarha kienu jqegħdu l-qsari tal-fjuri.
Iżda
l-akbar festi li jfakkru x-xjuh tagħna jeħduna
lura sa qabel il-Gwerra l-Kbira, meta n-niċċa
u l-mina kienu jiżżejnu bid-damask, u l-pjazzetta
f'ras Triq is-Sirena kienu jżejnuha bl-antinjoli,
u filgħaxija kien isir il-ħruq tas-suffarelli
u l-mixgħela tal-fjakkoli fuq is-swar tal-Gardjola
u s-swar li jdawru dawn l-inħawi. Jiftakru wkoll
li f'jum il-festa wara nofs in-nhar kienet issir
il-Gostra wara t-trunċieri u l-Arblu ta' Mejju,
l-Ponta, biex imbagħad filgħaxija, fuq artal imżejjen
bil-fjuri għall-okkażjoni fil-pjazza ta' quddiem
il-Ġnien tal-Gardjola, kienet tingħata l-Barka
Sagramentali. Jingħad ukoll, li xi benefatturi
kienu jġibu l-Banda ta' Indri biex tferraħ u tallegra
lin-nies li kienet tattendi bi ħġarha.
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It-Tiġrija
tal-Vitorja
Fl-ewwel
snin tal-ħakma Ingliża f'Malta kienu jsiru bosta
tiġrijiet tad-dgħajjes fil-Portijiet tagħna. Peress
li ħafna minn dawn it-tiġrijiet kienu jsiru fuq
bażi parrokjali xi whud minnhom saru ftit drabi
biss, waqt li oħrajn li kienu aktar popolari kellhom
ħajja itwal. Fit-8 ta' Settembru 1822, il-ħabrieka
Sengleani organizzaw għall-ewwel darba t-Tiġrija
tal-Vitorja kienet organizzata bħala parti mill-festi
esterni titulari tagħhom. Mid-dehra din it-tiġrija
kienet organizzata aħjar mit-tiġrijiet l-oħra,
għaliex fiha, barra li setgħu jieħdu sehem dgħajjes
minn lokalitajiet oħrajn tal-Port, barra l-Plaju
ts-soltu, ir-rebbieħa kienu se jingħataw premju
ta' flus ukoll.
F'din
it-tiġrija kienu jsiru erba' korsi, tal-Ferilli
(Dgħajjes tas-Sajd) b'erbat imqadef, Dgħajjes
tal-Pass b'żewġt imqadef u b'erbat imqadef u tal-Kajjikki
(tax-xogħol) b'erbat imqadef. Mal-qalba tas-seklu
20, bdiet issir il-korsa tad-Dgħajjes tal-Midalji
li oriġinalment kienu Dgħajjes tal-Pass u bdew
jissejjħu hekk għaliex minflok premju ta' flus
kienu jinagħtaw Midalji tal-Fidda. Bejn wieħed
u ieħor fl-istess żmien ġew introdotti wkoll il-Kajjikki
Fancy - Kajjiki ħfief b'erbat imqadef li ħadu
post it-tqal.
M'hemmx
l-iċken dubju li l-Isla dejjem ipparteċipat fiż-żewġ
tiġrijiet tad-dgħajjes bl-aħjar ekwipaġġi li kellha,
u li dejjem kienet fost il-protagonisti fejn jidħlu
r-rebħ ta' paljijiet. Mal-qalba tas-seklu 20,
l-Isla kienet qawwa kbira fil-korsi l-kbar. B'danakollu
kienet tissemma l-aktar għall-korsi tal-Ferrilli
u tal-Kajjikki Fancy fejn it-taqtiegħa għar-rebħ
tal-palju fiż-żewġ kategoriji dejjem kienet ma'
Marsamxett li f'dik l-epoka kien jiddomina kull
Regatta.
L-Isla
kienet avversarju aħrax ta' bormla u l-Birgu fid-Dgħajjes
tal-Midalji u f' ta' bl-Erbgħa - żewġ distretti
maghrufin ħafna għall-ekwipaġġi ta' ħila li kellhom
u avversarji kbar ta' Marsamxett f'dawn il-kategoriji.
Bejn
iż-żewġ Gwerer Dinjija, il-qaddiefa Sengleani
rebħu xi paljijiet ta' l-ewwel iżda qatt ma' rnexxielhom
jiddominaw xi kategorija għal bosta snin bħal
ma għamlu l-Bormlizi u l-Vittoriosani.
Iżda
r-rebħ tal-paljijiet fil-korsi tal-Ferrilli, Midalji
u Kajjikki Fancy kienu ta' awgurju sabiħ biex
is-Sengleani jkomplu jarmaw tajjeb l-opri tagħhom
bl-aħjar ekwipaġġi li kellhom u jissieltu għal
kull palju sa' l-aħħar qadfa. Din id-determinazzjoni
għenithom biex fl-1937 u fl-1938, l-aħħar żewġ
edizzjonijiet ta' qbel il-Gwerra trebbaħhom il-korsa
bl-Erbgħa - korsa li kienu ilhom ma' jirbħuha
mill-1904.
Wara
l-gwerra, id-distrett Senglean kien il-protagonist
ewlieni ta' bosta edizzjonijiet. Mill-1951 sa
l-1966, l-ekwipaġġi Sengleani rebħu 7 darbiet
l-Aggregate Shield u waqqfu rekord fil-kors tad-Dgħajjes
tal-Midalji ta' 7 rebħiet konsekuttivi (1951-1957).
L-istess suċċess reġgħu kisbuh bejn l-1989 sa
l-2002, meta matulhom il-qaddiefa Sengleani mhux
biss iddominaw dawn it-tigrijiet iżda rnexxielhom
ukoll jirbħu disa' darbiet l-Aggregate Shield,
u fl-1992 iwaqqfu rekord gdid bir-rebħ tal-ħames
paljijiet ta' l-ewwel. [back
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