Lija

Entering Lija

Belveder Tower

Lija (or Ħal Lija) is a small village located approximately in the centre of Malta with 2,779 inhabitants residing in it (Nov 2005). At Lija one finds a marvellous baroque parish church and not less than seven other small chapels. The parish church is dedicated to Our Saviour and is currently undergoing an extensive restoration project in order to save priceless art work and Calì paintings that are found surrounding the church's roofs. Lija became a parish back in the year 1594, after the small community detached itself from neighbouring village, Birkirkara.

Lija is mostly known for its fireworks displays that attract thousands of locals and tourists during the festa period held in the first week of August. These displays are very renowned around the island.

At Lija there is also the Citrus festival, that is held each year.

In Lija one finds several old houses of character and large citrus gardens. One of the main attraction of this village is the unique Belveder tower. Another attraction is the massive Villa Francia that is currently undergoing major restoration works. The official University Residence of the University of Malta is also situated in this village.

Lija Athletic F.C. is the name of this village's football club. This club has been promoted to Malta's Premier (highest) Division for three times in its history. Considering the small size of the village and the resource and financial limitations, this was deemed to be a huge success by local sport enthusiasts. Lija Athletic, with the collaboration of the Local Council inaugurated a new synthetic pitch on July 6th (Jum Ħal Lija or Lija Day). This pitch is situated in the village's primary school grounds.

British author Anthony Burgess, whose works include A Clockwork Orange, resided in Lija for three years (1968-1970), thus rendering Malta one of the milestones of his legendary travels.

At Lija there is also the villa where politician Mabel Strickland, daughter of Lord Gerald Strickland who founded the Strickland Party, lived.

93.3 Central FM Malta

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93.3 Central FM Radio

The village of Lija also benefits from a community radio, 93.3 Central FM, a station which transmits all over the three villages and surrounding areas. Transmitting on 93.3MHz, Central FM is a non-commercial station which serves the Lija, Attard, Balzan and the surrounding community.

The station is especially popular in the area mostly due to its informative reference through ongoing community news updates concerning the three villages and entertaining content.

The station motto is ‘Transmitting from the centre of the island’ as the station serves the central localities of the island of Malta.

Band Clubs

• St. Pius X Band and Society Club (Is-Soċjetà Mużikali Banda San Piju X)
• il-hara ma wicc il madonna band club

Zones in Lija

• Ħal Mann (Mann Town)
• Ta' Bajdun
• Ta' Seguna (Seguna's Village)
• Tad-Daħla (Entrance Village)
• Tad-Daqqaq (Cotton Worker's Village)
• Tal-Mirakli (Miracles' Village)
• Wied Lija (Lija Valley)

Lija Main Roads

• Triq Annibale Preca
• Triq Carmelo Farrugia
• Triq il-Forn
• Triq il-Kbira (Main Street)
• Triq il-Mosta (Mosta Road)
• Triq Robert Mifsud Bonnici
• Triq Sant' Andrija
• Triq Sant' Antnin (St Anthony Street)
• Triq Sir Ugo Mifsud
• Vjal it-Trasfigurazzjoni (Transfiguration Avenue)

External links

• Lija Local Council
• Lija Parish
• St. Pius X Band Club
• St. Andrew's Social Club
• St. Michael's Fireworks Factory
• 06th August - Titular Feast
• Lija Athletic Football Club
• Lija Tennis Club
• Old Motors Club, Lija
• 93.3 Central FM Radio