|
Mission Statement
Our Staff
Our School
Development Plan
Publications
Activities
Our School Council
Kids' Corner
General Information
Contact Us |
General Information
Opening Hours
|
Winter |
Summer |
|
8.30am to 2.30pm |
8.15am to 12.00 |
Who was Annibale
Preca?
 Annibale
Preca was born at Lija in 1830. From the very beginning, he
saw the importance of Maltese as a language to communicate with as
well as a language to master. For many years, Annibale Preca
was Head of Mosta Primary School and it was here that he encouraged
the teaching of Maltese to the pupils. He is the author of
several story books for children as well as adults.
Annibale Preca mastered many foreign languages including Italian,
French, Arabic, Hebrew and Greek. At Lija, there is also a
street named after him. It is only right that Lija Primary
School is named after such an educator!
Lija old and New
Lija has
its origins in prehistory as is evident from the Megalithic tombs
unearthed by Din l-Art Helwa in 1967, however the present village
derives from the elevation to parochial status in the late 16th
century. Residents amount to over three thousand .
All Three Villages of Attard, Balzan and Lija, lay within the parish
boundaries of Birkirkara. In 1594, Lija gained autonomy some 19
years after the erection of Attard to an independent parish form
Birkirkara. Within Lija’s parameters as parish, the settlements of
Hal-Bordi and Hal Mann were annexed from Attard as a result of
petitions from the residents of the said villages. The present
Parish Church was begun in 1694,designed by the resident architect
Ganni Barbara and was further embellished by the patronage of Count
Frangisku Preziosi, who contributed to the construction of the twin
bell towers and the Obelisk features on the church parvis.
Like Attard and Balzan, Lija contains numerous large country
residences, many of which have seen a variety of historical events.
Villa Preziosi was used by the French troops before they the
village. In 1837, a time when primary education was introduced in
Malta, Lija was among the first to have its own school being
situated in one of the large houses adjacent to San Anton Gardens.
Villa Gourgion Depiro situated on the right hand side facing the
church was on three occasions the meeting place for the National
Assembly whilst drafting the 1921 constitution.
The Belveder, a
beautiful piece of architecture and a landmark in Transfiguration
Avenue used be part of the garden of Villa Gourgion. To-day the
Belveder is the the hands of the Lija Local Council and forms part
of the heritage in Lija.
Present Day
The main entrance into Lija is through Transfiguration Avenue which
is lined on both sides with Oleander trees leading first to the
Belveder or It Torri as it is more commonly known and then onto the
Church square and church dedicated to our Saviour. The avenue itself
was ploughed through the grounds of Villa Gourgion (then the
residence of Marquis Depiro) to provide direct access to the parish
church. Lija has a character of narrow winding streets most of which
only allow passage of cars in one direction. Pretty alleys adorn the
Urban Conservation area.
As is the case with Attard and Balzan, the large gardens and
orchards which had given the village its motto – Suavi Fructu Rubeo-
“with tasty fruit I blossom” or better explained in Maltese “Bi
frott Helu Inhammar” have given way to sometimes characterless
housing units. Lija has an urban conservation area which will ensure
that development within this area, or development which affects the
views into or out of this area, will have to fit in and improve upon
the existing character. Any building works undertaken have to retain
the high standard of design, retaining features of historical and
traditional importance, such as carved stone, timber balconies and
iron railings.
Lija is best know for its oranges and citrus fruit, for its
beautiful feast held on the 6th of August and for its famous
pyrotechnics. Lija is said to have the best firework display on the
island and have won 1st place in Monaco in 1987. It is also know as
a rather quiet place but for the incessant din of modern traffic
which at present tends to use Lija as a by pass.
For more information about Lija,
visit the website for
Lija Local Council.
Top of Page |
