MALTA - BIRZEBBUGA ~ PRETTY.....PRETTY.....PRETTY-BAY

KAMPIJIET U SULDATI ~ by John Zammitt

2012-01-01T15:08:00.000-08:00

This caption was written and added by John Zammitt

I have always been a Leader - here I am seen second from left at the back row with "my soldiers" when I was 12 years old. The "camp" as we used to call it was a walled
place with 8 rooms inside the wall built by myself and the other boys and we used to play soldiers.
The place was at St. Rita Street at Birzebbuga.

At that time Malta was a British Colony and Birzebbuga was a British Base consisting of HMS Falcon Royal Naval Base and Hal-Far Royal Air Force Base.

(Photo from John Zammitt)

Calamity Jane

2011-09-19T03:15:00.000-07:00

THE BILLIARDS CLUB -- EX ST. PETERS FOOTBALL CLUB

2011-06-03T00:49:00.000-07:00

Enter the renovated Club * HERE *

* IL - MUZEW TAS SUBIEN c1940s *

2011-04-18T03:25:00.000-07:00

The Muzew building as it stands today June 2010. It seems the old building is not safe and presently it is closed and barricaded.

Photo shows the intersection of St Paul's Street and St Michael's Street. The old Muzew building can be seen in the photo taken June 2010.

Going back to the late 1930s and during 1940s when all the Birzebbuga boys attended Religious classes at the Muzew in St Paul's Street.
Dun Gorg Preca used to make special visits in the evenings and every young boy and teenagers used to be present to hear him tell us stories and other Religious matters. He always used to give us a few lollies / confectionery on arrival. I sure remember those days.

Qajjenza and nearby localities

2011-04-07T03:04:00.000-07:00

A very good aerial picture showing all of Qajjenza. Part of Marsaxlokk, also Zejtun in the background. A small part of Birzebbuga and the Enemalta ex Shell Co. pier. A nice view of the bay with some sail boats.

Click on picture to enlarge.

THE BRINCAT BARBER SHOP AT PRETTY BAY

2011-02-07T01:00:00.000-08:00

I have already posted this photo here a good while ago but I'll show it again and below you can see two views of the interior of this well known barber shop that has been run by the Brincat family of Birzebbuga for the past 75 years. Still in operation today 2011 and hardly changed over such a long period of time.

Took these two photos of the interior of this barber shop during my visit in July 2010 by permission of Mr Brincat. As one can see, it looks just about exactly as it was in 1950. The small shop holds so much history and can tell many thousands of stories about the village and its people.

The display cases on the wall have been replaced / updated, Where the waiting chairs are shown today, there used to be one long bench, if my memory is correct and I don't remember a large electric fan in the shop during the 1940s.

WHO IS THIS YOUNG MAN AT BIRZEBBUGA?

2011-01-17T18:05:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago a friend of mine at Birzebbuga sent me these two small photos. He asked me if I knew the young man. I do not. Does anyone recognize this young man? Photo taken c1960s, I think,
Please leave reply in Guestbook. Thanks.

CHURCH STREET BIRZEBBUGA

2011-01-15T19:13:00.000-08:00

Church Street looking down towards Addolorata Street. The old Church of Our Lady of Sorrows was in use from about 1913 to about 1938. This photo was taken about half way down the street.

On the left hand side of the Church was the Nuns Home c1938. Shown here at right of picture. My parents lived two doors down, the house where the large balcony is shown centre of picture and exactly where the STOP sign is located. We lived there from 1934 to 1938.

THE LIDO THEATRE / CINEMA AT BIRZEBBUGA

2010-12-24T15:43:00.000-08:00

Many of you may still remember the LIDO CINEMA in St Edwards Street / Triq San Edwardu in Birzebbuga. The building of this Theatre began towards the end of WW2, about 1945. At that time the only other Cinema was the BELLE ISLE Cinema which was situated further up at the top end in Edwards Street. The LIDO was a much larger then the BELLE ISLE and one can say it was a proper modern Cinema.
On every Saturday and Sunday it used to be packed with Cinema goers and one needed to book early to secure seats especially on Sunday evenings. I believe it was operating till about 1980. Today in 2010 the place is locked up and deserted. Maybe one day it may come back to its glorious past which was a place for entertainment to the locals at Birzebbuga. (Photo taken July 2010)

The very last show that I remember seeing at the LIDO Cinema was a 1949 Hollywood Western film called " Calamity Jane and Sam Bass " This western featured Yvonne De Carlo - Lloyd Bridges and Howard Duff and it was shown on Sunday evening in July 1950. A few months before I left Malta.

THE OLD " WARSPITE " VALLETTA - KALAFRANA BUS

2010-11-03T21:17:00.000-07:00

Bus No. 3289 Valletta -- Kalafrana and Valletta - Birzebbuga route bus that for many years carried many thousands of locals up and down from Birzebbuga to Castilja and Putirjal bus terminus. It was in daily use during WW2 and survived the bombing.

TANKS STREET -- TRIQ IT - TANKIJIET

2010-10-08T22:17:00.000-07:00

This is a section of Tanks Street Birzebbuga, As you know this street is one of the longest straight roads at Birzebbuga. In this photo taken from the beach end of the street you are looking up towards Birzebbuga Road.

In this photo, you are looking towards the Bay. Photo taken July 2010.

BIRZEBBUGA VIEW OF 1948

2010-09-26T04:19:00.000-07:00

A scene of many years ago. Birzebbuga 1948 with Pretty Bay beach as it used to be before the sand that is seen today which covers all the part of the bay as it is today. The old WW2 gunpost opposite the Smiling Prince Bar (today Labour Party Club) can clearly be seen. No TV antennas in sight. Click on photo to enlarge.

L'ARBLU TA WIED IL - BUNI ~ THE POLE AT WIED IL - BUNI

2010-09-17T23:16:00.000-07:00

That's what all the locals used to call it, 'L'Arblu ta Wied il - Buni'/ the pole at Wied il - Buni.
It was situated about directly in line with Triq San Frangisku Saveriu / St Francis Xavier Street.
As you can see from the photo.
It was approx 40 feet up from the waters edge and on the left hand side of it there was a tiny inlet, always with sparkling clean seawater that used to be called 'IL - Lembijja "
It was a favourite swimming spot for young children.
The Pole was also a challenging structure for young boys and men to climb up on the steel frame.

During WW2 when all of Wied il - Buni was occupied by the Military and totally out of bounds to civilians the area where the Pole was located was used by English servicemen for nude swimming.

When the Military moved out from Wied il - Buni c1944 the area by the Pole was always a favourite spot for beach goers.
The square concrete block at the base of the Pole was an ideal spot to sit down.
The Pole is now gone but a small section of the concrete base can still be seen.

BY THE SIDE OF THE WATER-POLO PITCH

2010-09-14T16:54:00.000-07:00

A pretty picture taken from the side of the water-polo pitch. Part of Pretty Bay in the background. Photo taken July 2010 on a lovely summer day. Click on photo to enlarge.

THE WW2 ARMY GUNPOST AT WIED IL - BUNI

2010-09-12T23:39:00.000-07:00

This is a very rare photo showing part of the WW2 Army gunpost at the entrance to Wied il - Buni. The concrete gunpost was built c1939. It was manned by the English Army, the Devonshire Regiment. It was very close to the bus terminus and Kalafrana Road. Close by there was a searchlight post right on the edge of the seashore. A short distance away was an Army BOFORS gun. One evening, the BOFORS gun received a direct hit and 5 Maltese gunners were killed. Photo taken 1949.

THE NEW LANDMARK AT PRETTY BAY

2010-09-09T15:08:00.000-07:00

Due to be completed by end of 2010. This is the new six storey building that is replacing the previous South End Guest House and previous to that the old Claridge Hotel that was built during the early 1930s. Photo taken July 2010.

St Francis Xavier Str - Triq San Frangisku Saveriu - Birzebbuga

2010-09-05T19:00:00.000-07:00

This is Triq San Frangisku Saveriu, Photo taken from the Wied il Buni side of St Patrick Str or as it was always called 'it Triq ta - Kalafrana'. During WW2 c1941 at approx 10pm while an Air Raid was on, two bombs were dropped by Italian bombers and landed on the houses shown on the right hand side of the photo. Four houses were destroyed and other houses on the opposite side were very badly damaged. No civilians were injured as everyone was in the Air Raid shelter that was at the top end of St Philips Str. Another bomb dropped by the same Italian aircraft landed a direct hit on an anti aircraft gun at the entrance to Wied il - Buni. Five Maltese Army gunners tragically lost their lives. Photo taken June 2010.

ST GEORGES BAY. ~ THE NEW COLOURFUL ROUNDABOUT

2010-08-30T02:03:00.000-07:00

The newly built roundabout at St Georges Bay. A lovely creation by the Local Council. Constructed during June / July 2010. An excellent design to match with the name of BIRZEBBUGA.

For more photos of St Georges Bay ~ Click *HERE*

THE OLD " TANKREDI BRINCAT " SHOP.

2010-08-24T21:54:00.000-07:00

Situated in New Street off Pretty Bay main road and Zurrieq Road. This little shop is surely one of the most known shops at Birzebbuga. Been open since the early 1940s and still operated by the same family in 2010.

TOP END OF ADDOLORATA STREET

2010-08-24T21:41:00.000-07:00

The top end of Addolorata Street where it crosses St Michael Street. Photo taken June 2010. A very tidy looking street. My parents lived in this street from 1935 to June 1940. Our house was on the right hand side about four houses from the top end. In the background are the ex Shell Company fuel storage tanks, now Enemalta Depot.

The old red Mail Box at Pretty Bay

2010-08-24T21:14:00.000-07:00

The old red mail box that many years ago, going back to c1930, was used by all the locals at Birzebbuga is today in 2010 broken and deserted. Most likely vandalized and abandoned. A pity it was not preserved and displayed as an item of history.

How the red Mail Box once looked.

A view of the very well known corner at Pretty Bay, shows where the Mail Box used to be.

BIRZEBBUGA BOY SCOUTS 1944

2010-01-04T16:07:00.000-08:00

A group of Birzebbuga Boy Scouts camping at Ghadira Bay 1944.

Not all names remembered

Rear row from left: Rover Scout Cikku Azzopardi and Fava - next three names unknown.

Centre row from left: William Coxhead - no name - Joe Fenech - Paul Bonavia 'tal - landier'

Front row from left: Johnny Coxhead - Cilia - Sunny Vella 'tat-Titu' - Cilia - Abdilla 'tas Surgent'. The Cilia brothers lived in main road Pretty Bay.

If someone can remember the names of the others in this group, please contact me.

The Group Scoutmaster was Pawlu Ciantar and Assistant Scout Master was Johnny Mamo 'tal hajjat' of Pretty Bay.

THE FESTIVE SEASON

2009-12-16T23:51:00.000-08:00

* WISHING EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY SUCCESSFUL NEW YEAR *

Main road at Pretty Bay

2009-12-09T22:10:00.000-08:00

Main road at Pretty Bay looking towards the bus terminus end and St Phillips Street.

BIRZEBBUGA SCHOOL

2009-11-25T01:24:00.000-08:00

The sandy beach at Pretty Bay

2009-10-28T23:11:00.000-07:00

Birzebbuga - Church Street

2009-10-14T21:49:00.000-07:00

A photo of Church Str Birzebbuga. My parents lived there during 1934 - 1936. Only one house away from the Maria Addolorata Church which at that time was still used as the main village Church. Shortly after the new St Peters Church became the main Parish Church. Opposite our house was a small triangular square and the street on the right hand side was Addolorata street that ended up at Tanks street. The Degabriele family / Mikiel and Kelina operated the local bakery which was always a very busy shop.
Our house was on the 1st floor and the Roberts family lived below us on the ground floor. A bunch of local kids used to play football in the small square.
Click on photo to enlarge.

Floodwater and local kids having fun.

2009-10-09T22:17:00.000-07:00

A group of young kids having fun in the rainwater that always flooded parts of Birzebbuga / St Georges Bay main road.
This is an old photo taken many years ago. Sent by Joseph Camilleri (ex Birzebbuga) now of Sydney NSW Australia.

Birzebbuga of many years ago

2009-09-04T17:36:00.000-07:00

Upper photo. This location is most likely near Borg in Nadur by the old Chapel.

Lower photo taken in the 1950s showing part of Pretty Bay. The old WW2 gunpost can still be seen opposite the Smiling Prince Bar.
Photos sent by Joseph Camilleri of NSW Australia.

The above two photos were taken by Kenneth Incorvaja Oct 2009. Shows the same location near Borg in Nadur by the old Chapel.

Photos sent by Kenneth Incorvaja of Malta GC.

A group of men from Birzebbuga at Kalafrana

2009-08-05T15:12:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken about 1951. Most of the men are from Birzebbuga and worked at the R. N. base Kalafrana Power station. My father No 13 was the foreman. I knew most of them. I have numbered them so hoping anyone who remembers the ones that are unnamed can send me the names and I'll update the photo. Click on photo to enlarge.

As far as I know No 8 Simiana and No 17 Vella are still alive. No 6 Borg and No 16 were men from Sliema. Both of them were motor mechanics at Gasan Ford at the Gzira workshops during 1947-48. No 6 Joe Borg, I met him in 1996 when I visited Malta. He has passed away RIP. Everyone at Birzebbuga knew No 4 Cikku Frankalanza ' is sagristan ' at the Parish Church. No 15 is Johnny Vella (not sure) I think he was the Cubmaster of the Birzebbuga Scout Group during c1946.
No 11 is Victor Borg-Falzon used to live near the bakery of ' tal fattu', his son used to play with the St Peters FC during the 1950s. No 3 is Guzeppi Vella his family used to operate the butcher shop a short distance up from the Police Station.
No 12, I think this man was Karmnu Casha from Bir id Deheb or Tarxien. No 17 is Guzi Vella, I last met him during 1999 when I visited Malta. He lives in Addolorata Str. Anyone knows Guzi, please pass on my best wishes.

The Toni Brincat barber shop at Pretty Bay

2009-07-24T21:17:00.000-07:00

A view of the shop 2008 -- Photo by Laetitia Agius
The location as seen in 1900.

This little shop on the main road at Pretty Bay must be rated with other places of history that belong to the town of Birzebbuga. It was operating in the early 1930s and most likely even before that period of time.
Used to be called ' il hanut ta Toni l' barbier '. That was Toni Brincat.
What is special about this little shop is that during the years of WW2 it stayed open every day even during the peak of the German blitz on Kalafrana RAF base and Hal Far airfield. Of course there must have been other places that stayed open during the days of WW2 but what stands out in my memory is that a small group of Birzebbuga men who had absolutely no fear of the bombs that rained on and around the village, they used to gather every day near the shop and while the air raids were on and bombs were being dropped by the German bombers this small group of men never went down in the air raid shelters. Luckily no bombs fell close by that location. The bar / coffee shop next door was a handy place for them to enjoy a glass of tea or coffee.

St Peter

2009-07-21T22:50:00.000-07:00

Visit Site *Here*

H.M.S BRECONSHIRE at BIRZEBBUGA -- March 1942 -- 1954

2009-06-03T00:15:00.000-07:00

March 26th 1942. HMS Breconshire badly damaged and on fire is towed into Marsaxlokk Bay.
THE STORY & PICTURES OF HMS BRECONSHIRE * HERE *

Map showing Marsaxlokk Bay and the position where the ship sank after being attacked by German dive bombers on the 27th March 1942.

The ship was refloated during 1954 and towed to Italy where it was eventually scrapped.

HMS BRECONSHIRE as it looked just before WW2 started.
THE STORY & PICTURES OF HMS BRECONSHIRE * HERE *

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STORY & HISTORY OF THE SHIP * HERE *

THE SMALL SHIPS AT BIRZEBBUGA BAY - The locals called them ' tal - bagi '

2009-05-19T19:43:00.000-07:00

Many old timers at Birzebbuga may remember these R.N. vessels that were always part of the harbour scene at Marsaxlokk Bay - Birzebbuga Bay. The locals used to call them (in Maltese) ' tal - bagi '.

The names of these vessels were 'HMS Bardolf' -- 'HMS Barcroft' and 'HMS Moorstone'. These small ship were always seen at work in Malta's harbours. We always had them at Birzebbuga Bay during the 1930s, during WW2, the 1940s and even after that period.

The crews of these ships used to do work / maintenance on bouys. Lifting bouys and cleaning them and painting them. They changed bouys and installed new ones for the hundreds of ships that berthed at Malta's Grand Harbour and Marsaxlokk Bay.
They were always part of the Birzebbuga harbour scene.

Back in the 1940, about the last years of WW2, I used to have a little boat and I used to row out in the Bay at Birzebbuga to these ships at the end of their working day when they used to come in very close to the Birzebbuga shores and drop anchor for the night.

I got to know one of the crew. He always wanted a copy of the Times of Malta. So we made a deal. I give him the newspaper and he used to give me some food, like bread and biscuits and some fruit. During 1943 - 1944 food was still scarce and rationed so the food he gave me I used to take it home.

This went om for many months. Every day at about 5pm I used the jump into my little boat and taking with me a copy of the Times of Malta and row over to the BARDOLF. It was good fun for me and I was always on time by the side of the ship.

I believe the Bardolf and the Barcroft both surived the War, although I do think that one of them was hit by a bomb in Grand Harbour. They were put up for sale by the Admiralty in 1961.

The HMS Moorstone was hit by a bomb near the Suez Canal and sank. It was later brought up from the sea and towed to Gibraltar. It was repaired and later sold.

The little RN ships that were part of Malta and Birzebbuga for many years.

The WW2 Gunpost and the Rock

2009-05-05T00:21:00.000-07:00

One of the many WW2 gunposts / pillboxes that are still in existance scattered all over Malta. This one is very well camouflaged with rubble stones cemented all over. In the background is the well known rock called Filfla which was used by the military as a target for practice shelling for many years.

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VIEW OLDER POSTS *HERE*

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A GIANT CALLS AT BIRZEBBUGA

2009-05-04T02:46:00.000-07:00

The CMA CGM Andromeda became the longest vessel to enter a Maltese harbour when it berthed at Malta Freeport last week.

The huge container ship was guided in by Chief Pilot J.Mifsud and Pilot Anthony Chetcuti. The vessel was assisted by three Tug Malta tugs, Pawlina, Wenzina and Mari.

The Andromeda is brand new, having been built by Hyundai Heavy Industries and delivered in March. It has a gross tonnage of 131,332 tons and is 363.6 metres long (the length of four football grounds). The ship has a beam of 45.6m and a draft of 15.5m (max). Its height from keel to the top of the mast is 70 metres.

Photo: Pilot A.Chetcuti.

JOE'S BAR AT PRETTY BAY BIRZEBBUGA c1958

2009-05-01T00:38:00.000-07:00

A photo of JOE's BAR at Pretty Bay Birzebbuga. The popular Bar was situated on the corner of New Street and next door to Tony Brincat's barber shop. Above these two shops was the billiards Club, today the St Peters FC Club. Back during the 1940s and 1950s the Club was operated by Joe's brother Carmelo / Karmnu. The photo of JOE's BAR was taken c1958 by Bill Gutsky an American serviceman who was stationed at Hal Far. Today Bill Gusky lives in Florida USA. He sent me the photo.

Marsaxlokk Bay / Kalafrana Freeport

2009-04-29T15:59:00.001-07:00

Kalafrana as seen from across the Bay in 1942.
Kalafrana Freeport as it looks today from about the same location at Birzebbuga.

Pretty Bay before the sand took over

2009-04-25T00:12:00.000-07:00

Photo of Pretty Bay beach taken c1956 before the sand filled up a huge area of sea area that come up right up to the roadway.

The Old Kalafrana - Birzebbuga Bus

2009-04-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

The old 'red - white and blue ' colours of the Kalafrana - Birzebbuga line buses. Best looking buses on the Island.

Part of old Birzebbuga and Qajjenza

2009-04-17T19:21:00.000-07:00

A distant view of part of old Birzebbuga and Qajjenza. Photo taken from Kalafrana R.A.F base c1935. In the top left hand corner one can see the chimney of the Shell Company fuel Depot. Not many buildings existed at Qajjenza in those years but the old Dowdall family Hotel can be seen in the background.

Kalafrana R.A.F. Base c1922

2009-04-12T22:53:00.000-07:00

A very old picture of the RAF Base at Kalafrana (now The Freeport Ship Container Terminal) The RAF Base was was started about 1917 as a seaplane base. By 1922 when this photo was taken there wasn't much buildings were in place. Just this aircraft hanger and small workshops for aircraft maintenance..

The Birzebbuga Freeport Administration Building

2009-04-12T22:47:00.000-07:00

The Administration Offices of the Freeport.

Its not the Eiffel Tower but a landmark at Pretty Bay

2009-04-08T21:04:00.000-07:00

Sunrise at Birzebbuga

2009-03-28T17:10:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Pretty Bay ~ Birzebbuga by the sea

2009-03-23T01:08:00.000-07:00

Two lovely views of Birzebbuga. -- Photos sent by George Vella "ta L'Isla".

Sunrise at Birzebbuga

2009-01-28T18:59:00.000-08:00

A very peaceful scene. Early morning at Birzebbuga with the sun rising over Delimara. You can see the Enemalta (ex Shell Co) oil tanker pier. Also Fort St Lucian in the background.

The WW2 Army gunpost at Pretty Bay

2009-01-17T15:08:00.000-08:00

This WW2 gunpost at Pretty Bay was directly opposite the Smiling Prince Hotel / Bar. It was built during 1938 and was operational in 1939, It was manned by the English Army - the Devonshire Regiment. At the rear of the gunpost, right on the edge of the road there was a searchlight post.

The 'Villa l ' Hamra' ~ 'Cherries' at Pretty Bay

2008-11-28T22:53:00.000-08:00

The Villa as it looked c1900.

The Villa l'Hamra now Cherries as it looks in 2008. (Photo above and below taken by Laetitia Agius of Birzebbuga)

" The Villa " That's what it's been called by the locals at Birzebbuga for over one hundred years. A very prominent building situated in the heart of Pretty Bay Birzebbuga. Today, in 2008 and going back a few years its been called 'The Cherries'.
It's a fairly large property facing the beach in the most prominent part of Birzebbuga. I cannot write about all the history of the place cause I can only go back to the mid 1930s. When WW2 started in June 1940 the British Army occupied the Villa. It was used as Headquarters for the Devonshire Regiment, the West Kent Regiment and the Hampshire Regiment. During those days c1941, military cars belonging to officers of these regiments used to be lined up, parked outside the main entrance. Some Maltese civilians used to work there with the military.

Going back before the Marsaxlokk Bay breakwater was built, the small sandy beach that used to be created during the summer months used to disappear during the winter months as the sand used to be pushed out into the bay. When the sea was rough the large waves that used to batter the wall at the edge of the roadway used to end up hitting the entrance door and the wall of the Villa. The locals who had to walk past the Villa during a sea storm had to make a quick dash so not to get wet with the sea spray. It's a much different scene today with no more waves hitting the road and the sandy beach staying there during the winter months.
Today the Villa / Cherries is owned by the Mifsud family. Marlon Mifsud has contacted me, saying his father has owned the Villa for the past eighteen years.

Maybe he can tell us some more history about the Villa at Pretty Bay.

Ic - cumnijja tat - tankijiet / The smoke stack at the Shell fuel depot.

2008-11-08T19:20:00.000-08:00

This photo was taken during WW2, early 1942 by Flt Sgt Thomas Barker RAF.

A local police officer standing duty on the Shell oil tankers Pier. The Shell chimney can be seen in the background at left of picture.

Not many people living today at Birzebbuga would remember the old smoke chimney / ic - cumnijja that was situated at the Shell oil fuel depot at Birzebbuga. Today called Enemalta Fuel Depot. Many years ago we used to call it '' ic - cumnijja tat - tankijiet ''.
It was inside the Depot, situated at the end of Triq it - Tankijiet and Sacred Heart Promenade and in line with the Shell Pier as can be seen in the lower picture.
I used to live very close to this chimney during the 1930s / early 1940s. It was very close to the small area that used to be called '' il - Gzira ''.
Close to the chimney there used to be a large uncultivated field that the local soccer team players used to do their training and practise.

Wartime Pictures of Birzebbuga - 1943

2008-10-10T18:42:00.000-07:00

These photos of Birzebbuga were taken during early 1943 by the late Flt. Sgt Thomas Barker B.E.M. RAF who was stationed at Hal Far and Birzebbuga. Thomas Barker was born 1915 and died 2002. These photos were sent to me by his son Lawrence M. Barker of UK. Mr Barker has a very comprehensive story about his life in England and during his wartime years in Malta. The Website is at :
http://www.my-malta.com/interesting/barker/thomasbarker01.html

A very interesting story and many pictures.
In the photos one see some warships in Marsaxlokk Bay. In the background is Kalafrana R.A.F. and R.N. Base. In the 2nd and 4th photo one can see part of the side of the Breconshire the ship that was part of a convoy which reached Malta in 1942. The Breconshire was hit by bombs before it reached Malta but was able to limp into Marsaxlokk Bay. On the 2nd day after she arrived the German bombers attacked again and the ship while on fire went down in the Bay not far from the shores of Delimara.

View MY-MALTA.COM * HERE *

Thanks to Lawrence M. Barker for the Photos.

A view from up near the Church bells - Dec 1992

2008-09-23T23:56:00.000-07:00

A view of Birzebbuga from up near the Church bells. A long climb of about 100+ steps to get near the church bells. This photo was taken on a Thursday Dec 1992. In the upper picture one can see the two roads that lead dowm to St Georges Bay. The old narrow road on the left and the new road that today carries most of the traffic in and out of the town.
The lower picture one can see the weekly market stalls where sellers provide a large range of goods and food every Thursday morning. Nowadays the market has been relocated to a better location. One can see part of Marsaxlokk Bay. Delimara in the background and part of the Freeport.

* Wied il - Buni ~ Birzebbuga *

2008-09-02T20:25:00.000-07:00

Wied il - Buni Birzebbuga. Some years ago it was just a ditch, partly looked after and the rest neglected and used as a dumping place. Finally the people of Birzebbuga and the Local Council people decided to clean up the place. The old ditch was filled up and the ground levelled. After that, work was carried out to renovate and beautify the place. Today it's the number one spot for the locals, the visitors and tourists to spend their time of relaxation by the seaside.

Read the story of Wied il - Buni * Enter Here *

2008-08-15T17:32:00.000-07:00

* The EDEN THEATRE at Birzebbuga - c1940 *

2008-07-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

A street view of the Theatre door c1940

How the location looks today - July 2008.

~ Photo by Adrian

Read the story of what took place in 1943.

Enter the Theatre *Here*

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You are invited to post a comment *Here*

Very small - but Very Pretty

2008-07-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

This lovely little sandy beach is situated at St Georges Bay just before your enter Birzebbuga. The No 11 bus coming down from Valleta would drop you right next to it.

It's a very clean beach. Well maintained by the Local Council. A car park is available on the opposite side of the roadway. Public convenience is also by the road.

The LIDO Theatre and the floods of c1960

2008-07-14T01:43:00.000-07:00

Upper picture. The LIDO Theatre surrounded by flood water. The LIDO Theatre was built just after the end of WW2. At that period the locality was an open paddock that was prone to flooding when rain water came down from the valley at side of Zurrieq Road. There was no made road by the side of the Theatre in the early days c1950. It was pretty rough going finding your way to go to the pictures, still it was a great addition for evening entertainment at a time when the locals needed it badly after the war years.

The lower picture taken at the same period shows more floodwater in the main road leading to St Georges Bay.

On the way to St George's Bay & Qajjenza

2008-07-07T00:41:00.000-07:00

This is the road that takes you to St George's Bay and onward to Qajjenza. That is if you are walking along the seashore. In the foreground at the left of the photo you can see a wall that seperates the Enemalta Fuel Storage (ex Shell Company Depot) from the roadway. Many years ago the locals used to call this location 'wara t'tankijiet' which in English meant 'at the rear of the of the tanks'. The tanks were the huge fuel storage tanks, about eight of them that Shell Company built above ground during the 1920s.

In the background is the suburb of Qajjenza. One can see all the new buildings, houses and holiday apartments that have been built since 1970. Nowadays these buildings cover a very large area and still growing at a fast rate.

This new locality is becoming a very much sought after place for new home buyers and a favourite spot for tourists who seek modern accomodation close to the seashore.

It is only a ten minute walk to the central part of Pretty Bay Birzrbbuga and about a fifteen minute walk to the historic cave of Ghar Dalam.

The Old Claridge Hotel and the two villas

2008-06-20T23:07:00.000-07:00

Above you see two photos of the same location at Birzebbuga.
The upper photo was taken sometime during 1950s. Most likely about 1955. At left is the old Claridge Hotel which was built sometime in the 1920s.
During WW2 it was taken over by the RAF and was used as a Mess / Cooking House for the airmen.
About late 1944 it was handed back to its owners. I can recall that sometime in 1945 there was a big wedding held upstairs. The reception was held in the evening and the hotel was all lt up. It was a wonderful scene by the calm sea of Pretty Bay.

In the photo you can see that next to the Claridge Hotel a building is being demolished. This was a large very old villa. Sometime about 1950 it was being used (temporarily) as a School.

In the upper photo which was taken in 2006, you can see that all the three old buildings had gone a new holiday apartments were built in their place.
The Old Claridge Hotel was knocked down about 1972. The Southend Guesthouse was built in its place. During 2007 the holiday apartments / Southend Guesthouse was knocked down and presently, today in 2008 a new building is being erected.

Have a good look at the two photos and note the great transformation that has taken place at Birzebbuga over the past 40 yrs.

Rebuilding the Old Caridge and the South End Guesthouse Site. (photo by Adrain at Birzy - July08)

Someone building a boat

2008-06-01T00:59:00.000-07:00

This is Birzebbuga c1960. The location is close by the old Claridge Hotel which existed during period 1930 to 1970. In the top left hand corner of the picture one can see the steel wrought iron gate that led to the lower corridor of the Hotel facing the beach front.
One can see the small concrete jetty that was so popular with swimmers who raced to it and made a high leaping jump in the sea. The water was very shallow by the jetty and it was very risky diving head first into the sea but everyone took the risk.

At top centre of the picture in the background one can see the Police Station which was next door to the Bayview Bar. No sandy beach can be seen in this photo. Unlike today in 2008 the sandy beach extends out into the bay by about 100 metres.

Tells you where you are and next destination

2008-05-27T04:12:00.000-07:00

Finding your way.

The old Smiling Prince Hotel / Bar

2008-04-27T02:26:00.000-07:00

The premises seen here on the left hand side which is situated on the corner is today the Malta Labour Party Club. This place has quite a long history. Going back to the early 1930s it was named The Smiling Prince Hotel. The Scicluna family owned and operated the Hotel. It was later operated as a Bar and was a favourite spot for most English Royal Navy and Royal Air Force servicemen to meet and enjoy a drink and a chat. It remained open right throughout the years of WW2.
Sometime about 1939 the Maltese Government installed a Redifusion set / speakers right at the doorway of this Hotel and the daily news service was broadcast and heard at about 7pm every evening. In those days very few people owned a wireless /radio so every evening a small crowd of local men used to gather outside the Hotel to listen to the daily News.

At some time during WW2 the place was also used by the English Military and just after WW2 ended it was used as a school for a brief period.

During the late 1930s and before WW2 started the Scicluna family had a small monkey that used to be kept on the balcony tied by a long light chain. The monkey used to ran across the front edge of the balcony and people used to throw peanuts up onto the balcony for the monkey.
Over the years the front doorway / entrance to the Bar was altered. On the other corner, again going back to the mid 1930s was the Central Bar which was owned and operated by the Dalli Family. The man who ran the Bar was Gillian Dalli and his wife Vanda also ran the Bar when Gillian passed away. They used to make delicious ice cream on the premises. The place was also used by the St Peters Football Club for a short period.
The street that seperates the two Bars is Addolorata Street / Our Lady of Sorrows Street that ends up at Tanks Street.

Birzebbuga ~ A Religious gathering 1966

2008-04-14T15:11:00.000-07:00

The scene is directly in front of the Birzebbuga Parish Church of St Peter. One can see a small procession on the main road turning towards the church. That is 42 years ago. This area and the ground opposite the church have now been totally transformed and paved. New houses have been built in background on the main road.

Beautiful .... Peaceful.....Friendly location

2008-04-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

A sight to enjoy. Blue sky, blue water, lovely boats, the salty smell if the sea.

Enjoy it all with a cold beer and fresh crispy pastizzi.

The Birzebbuga Band Club

2008-03-19T16:59:00.000-07:00

The Birzebbuga Band Club is named St Peter of the Chains. It is situated right opposite the Parish Church and in the main road that leads you to St Georges Bay and onwards to Valletta. A very popular Club in this town.

An Aerial view of the Freeport at Marsaxlokk Bay - Adjoining Birzebbuga

2008-03-15T17:41:00.000-07:00

This is the Freeport Container Terminal in Marsaxlokk Bay on the side of Birzebbuga. A very modern and busy shipping Container on and off loading terminal. The site used to be called Kalafrana which started as an RAF Base in 1929 and became HMS Falcon Royal Navy Base in 1946. A huge transformation took place. Much ground area that you see in this photo was claimed from the sea. Took a few years to fill up the space with rocks and concrete. It operates non stop 24x7. The terminal is leased to overseas companies and provides work to many local tradesmen.

The Windmill / ir - Raddiena at Zurrieq Road Birzebbuga

2007-08-24T01:43:00.000-07:00

I can tell a long story about this location. First of all the windmill (called 'raddiena' in Maltese) is located in a very pretty vegetable farm that the Vella family owned for a very long time. I knew the family very well. During the last few months of 1940 while WW2 was on, my parents rented a house next to the Vella farm.
A very shallow creek runs through the farm and the soil is very fertile.

The finished job. A neat looking rubble wall. Most likely many hundred years old.

Another view of the 'raddiena'. Actually this is a wind driven devise drives a pump that pumps up bore water. I would say its been there since the 1920s. Still going strong.

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The " Tank Trap "

I'm sure not many people at Birzebbuga today do remember the "Tank Traps"
When you look at the above picture you notice that at the end of the rubble wall there is a slight curve. As you go past that curve you come in-line with the banana tree where the road is straight. This short section of road goes over a small creek. Going back to 1941 the 2nd year of WW2 in Malta the Island was being threatened by a German Army invasion. The British and the Maltese Armies were making preperations for such an attack. As Birzebbuga was a most likely area where an invasion by sea could take place, the military wanted to cut off all roads leading out of the village. The three main roads were Birzebbuga Road / it-telgha tal - Geru, the road that leads from Kalafrana Road to Hal Far and the road (shown in the picture) that lead out of Birzebbuga to Zurrieq. At each of these three roads the Military selected the narrowest section of the roadway and created/ built 3 Tank Traps.

They dug a large hole in the roadway very deep down in the limestone rock. These holes were about 20ft deep and the full width of the road. The hole was about 30 ft long and these holes were covered by thick wooden planks strong enough to allow heavy truck to drive over them.

The plan was that in the event of an invasion, the thick wooden planks would be removed and if the German tanks tried to drive out of Birzebbuga and towards Hal Far or Bir id - Deheb they would fall down in these traps and making the road unusable.

These "tank traps" were still to be seen after WW2 ended/ Eventually they were all filled up with rubble and the roadway rebuilt to normal.

End of the road for this tank. This is what happens when a tank falls in a tank trap. The ones in Malta were rectangular large holes dug deep in rock.

Workmen on the job of repairing the old rubble wall. In Maltese this type of wall is called 'hajt tas - sejjieh'.

The Birzebbuga Bus Terminus / IL - Venda tal - Karrozzi

2007-07-04T04:28:00.001-07:00

This photo was taken in 2002. One can only see six buses / coaches. Many years ago the Terminus used to be full of buses, as many as twelve or more. Lovely and well looked after buses in a tricolor of sky blue with a red and white stripe. Buses used to park in the square and in nearby streets. It was a totally diferent scene from today. The sign on the sides of the buses used to be VALLETTA - KALAFRANA but everyone knew them as Birzebbuga buses.

Not a 'lovely' Pretty Bay scene - its olden days

2007-06-28T17:12:00.000-07:00

Hard to tell what year this picture was taken. Has to be c1930 or a bit earlier. An old bus can be seen and some cars are parked in front of ''Cherries''.
I can easily see the vegie & fruit shop that was called ''ta Anni tal haxix '' meaning ''Anne's vegie shop''. next to it is the old ''shoemaker shop'' that belong to a man named Djonis.
There must have been very rough seas hitting the wall against the roadway as could be seen by the damage. Also one can see the ''fanal'', the kerosene burning lamp-post. These used to be lit up every evening and would be blacked-out within minutes.

Birzebbuga of old times ~ c1952

2007-06-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

An aerial view of Birzebbuga period c1952. Going by the shadows it seems this photo was taken early in the morning. At left the Claridge Hotel can be seen, the Government School by the corner of Zebra Street was still there, later replaced by the Sea Breeze Hotel. The place that was called 'The Villa' nowadays called 'Cherries'can be seen and many trees around the building. No TV antennas in sight as TV was still a few years away. Note, not a square inch of sand can be seen in the Bay. This is a lovely picture of Birzebbuga.

BIRZEBBUGA ~ 1929

2007-06-03T20:44:00.001-07:00

This part of Birzebbuga sea-front as was in 1929. Most likely photo taken in winter. No beach lovers or boats in sight. At left of photo shows the corner of the main beach road and Addolorata Street. The CENTRAL BAR is on that corner. What is interesting is the two small buildings at the front by the sea edge. These could have been boat houses. I think I do remember one of them still standing during the late 1930s.

A Birzebbuga street going down to Pretty Bay..

2007-06-02T20:59:00.000-07:00

This location is the intersection of Birzebbuga Road and St Catherine's Street.

Laetitia's pictures ~ Summer of 2007

2007-06-01T21:31:00.000-07:00

St Phillips Street Birzebbuga.

2007-05-31T04:15:00.000-07:00

A street that I know very well. It has changed a great deal since 1955. During the 1940s and 1950s it was only 2 blocks long. St Francis Xavier Str divided the 2 blocks. During WW2 two bombs fell in St Francis Xavier Str. One of them right on the corner to St Phillips Str. About 5 houses were destroyed and another 5 badly damaged. Another bomb fell at the top end of St Francis Xavier Str opposite where the Spiteri family lived.

I just about knew every family that lived in St Phillips Street.
I remember these families: Vella, Micallef, Muscat, White, Zahra, Semini, Debrincat, Sacchett, Sultana, Bonnici, Gauci, Schembri, Gelarda the midwife, Baldacchino - ta-gogo family, Gatt family, Bugeja family, Camilleri family and others.

During the war there was a Goverment Air Raid shelter right at the top end of St Phillips Str opposite where the Vella 'ta L-Isla' family lived. All these families used to go down this shelter during the air raids and sleep together in the shelter.

The Street looks very bright and clean today and new families have settled there, along the extended street which now has about eight blocks.

Need help from Birzebbuga

2007-05-30T20:37:00.000-07:00

I am hoping Dina or Leatitia can help me. I am creating a page in another Site but shall also be shown here. The subject is:

"The old Bars of Birzebbuga "
This is about the Bars that existed from 1930 to approx 1960. I think I know most of them, like the name of the Bar and the person / family who operated the place. I already have a list. I can recall the location of two or three Bars but I have forgotten the names.
So I need someone from Birzebbuga to do some research for me. I would be very obliged for your help. I shall give more detail.

BIRZEBBUGA pre 1920 -

2007-05-29T20:23:00.000-07:00

Location ~ What used to be back in olden times.

1 and 2. This spot is on the corner of New Street. As you can notice it is only a ground floor building. During the 1930s and 1940 it was a 2 level building. On the corner was Joe's Bar and next door was the barber shop of Toni Brincat. Upstairs was the billiards club that had 2 balconies and it was the home of St Peters Football Club. It still is St Peters F.C. Club today 2007.
3. The large frontage place used to be called "il - Villa / the Villa". Belonged to some well to do people uptown. Was only occupied during the summer months. When WW2 started in early 1940 the place was taken over by the English Army and was used as an Army H.Q. for the West Kent Regiment and the Devonshire Regiment. Was handed back to its owners c1945.
4. This spot has always been the Birzebbuga Police Station. However during the war years the Police moved up to Zurrieq Road in part of a large building that was used as a winery. The nickname of the family that owned this winery was ' ta - Tira '. The Police moved back to the main road c1945.
5. This house / villa at this location was also used as a summer residence. During the 1990s it became a branch of the Mid-Med Bank.
6. This large house / villa was also a summer residence. we used to call it " id - dar tas Sur Wig ".
7. I can see a person, a human being by the tree. Seems he / she has the whole place to himself / herself as no other person is in sight.

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The floods of 1952

2007-05-28T22:51:00.000-07:00

This is Birzebbuga main road of Pretty Bay in 1952. I was in Australia and these pics were sent to me. The Birzebbuga bus is No 1771 and behind the bus is the bus terminus and St Phillips Street. In the 2nd house door from the right lived the Genovese family. They were our friends. That block of houses are now gone.

In the lower picture, the car belonged to the Vella family, nickname "tat-Titu" who lived in Zebra Str. The flood water always very bad in Zebra Str must have pushed the car right to the low wall of the street. Maybe Dina and Laetitia parents do remember this event.

Old times fun days at Birzebbuga beach.

2007-05-18T15:45:00.000-07:00

This location is near the old Claridge Hotel, presently (2008) a new building is being built. The small concrete jetty was a favourite spot for young and old and for those who could not swim it was the right spot to dangle your feet in the seawater.

Pretty Bay showing off its new sandy beach. 2003

2007-02-14T20:10:00.000-08:00

A totally different scene in 2003. Pretty Bay just looking pretty.

2007-02-14T20:06:00.000-08:00

Pretty Bay Birzebbuga as it was c1955

2007-02-14T20:01:00.000-08:00

As you can see, not much sandy beach. Today the locals say "it was better the way it was then"

A Birzebbuga Line Bus in the old colours of pre 1970

2007-01-18T14:20:00.000-08:00

These were the Birzebbuga buses but the route-line was named 'VALLETTA - KALAFRANA'
At certain times of the day the bus coming down from Valleta used to end its trip at Kalafrana Royal Navy Base and at Hal Far RAF Airport and Workshops.

I'M ON THE JOB

2007-01-11T01:57:00.000-08:00

Call again anytime ~ Your'e most welcome.

A bird's eye view of Birzebbuga.

2007-01-08T22:19:00.000-08:00

A recent aerial view of the town of Birzebbuga. This pic is only showing the central part of Birzebbuga.