Marsaxlokk

Marsaxlokk
Ix-Xatt, Porto Ercole
Local council
From top: Harbour, Delimara Lighthouse, Delimara coastline, Parish Church, street market, Fort San Lucian
From top: Harbour, Delimara Lighthouse, Delimara coastline, Parish Church, street market, Fort San Lucian
Flag of Marsaxlokk
Flag
Coat of arms of Marsaxlokk
Coat of arms
Motto: 
Portus Herculis
Coordinates: 35°50′30″N 14°32′41″E / 35.84167°N 14.54472°E / 35.84167; 14.54472
Country Malta
RegionSouth Eastern Region
DistrictSouth Eastern District
BordersBirżebbuġa, Għaxaq, Marsaskala, Żejtun
Government
 • MayorSteven Grech (PL)
Area
 • Total4.7 km2 (1.8 sq mi)
Population
 (Jan. 2019)
 • Total3,660
 • Density780/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Xlukkajr (m), Xlukkajra (f), Xlukkajri (pl)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
MXK
Dialing code356
ISO 3166 codeMT-28
Patron saintOur Lady of Pompeii
Day of festa5th Sunday in July or 1st Sunday in August
Websiteen.marsaxlokklc.com
The colourful traditional Maltese fishing boats, the luzzu, one of the symbols of Malta. The painted eye on each side of the prow is an old custom believed to protect the boats from evil. Marsaxlokk is especially known for the many luzzus in its harbour. In the background can be seen the parish church of Marsaxlokk dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary - The Madonna of Pompeii.

Marsaxlokk (Maltese pronunciation: [marsaʃˈlɔk]) is a small, traditional fishing village in the South Eastern Region of Malta. It has a harbour, and is a tourist attraction known for its views, fishing and history. As of March 2014, the village had a population of 3,534.[1] The village is also known for the Marsaxlokk Market, which is mainly a large fish market which takes place along the seafront on Sundays, and a tourist market during all other days of the week. Inhabited and well-known since antiquity, Marsaxlokk was used as a port by Phoenicians, Carthaginians and also has the remains of a Roman-era harbour.[2] Originally a part of the city of Żejtun, the fishing village became a separate parish in the late nineteenth century.

Traditional luzzi and other larger and more modern vessels line the sheltered inner harbour. The village is also popular among locals and tourists alike for its walks around the coast and harbour,[3] its restaurants, as well as for its swimming zones.[4] Marsaxlokk Bay also includes a container freeport towards Birżebbuġa, a power station complex towards Delimara,[5] and a small ship-repair facility for fishermen.[6]

Marsaxlokk is sometimes referred to as Portus Herculis, due to the association of Marsaxlokk Bay with the Roman and Punic remains at Tas-Silġ.[7]

  1. ^ "Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014". Government of Malta. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 21 June 2015.
  2. ^ Ċini, George (2 June 2006). "Part of Marsaxlokk harbour mapped for first time". Times of Malta. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Malta goes rural - Marsaxlokk to Marsascala walk". visitmalta.com. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Marsaxlokk: Malta's fishing village". Malta Uncovered. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  5. ^ "About us - Delimara Power Station". Enemalta.com. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  6. ^ "Marsamxett Harbour - Repair Facilities". Noonsite.com. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  7. ^ "About the locality". localgovernment.gov.mt. Retrieved 6 November 2018.