Mġarr

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Mġarr, formerly known as Mgiarro, is a small town northwest of the mainland of Malta. Mgarr is a typical rural village situated in an isolated region, southwest of Mosta. It is surrounded with rich farmland and vineyards. Many of its 2,200 inhabitants are farmers or are engaged in some sort of agricultural activity.

Mġarr's history is that of a farming community, which some of the Mdina patrican families had owned, such as the Vassallo family. Mgiarro was granted by the King of Sicily to the Inguanez family, and over time they sold it to the Falsone family. Over time, land was split up and given to all descendants.

Mġarr today has grown quite large, though still considered a country town with fresh clean air away from the major industrial towns of Malta.

Mgarr's rustic environs embrace several rustic spots like Bingemma, Wardija, Fomm ir-Rih and Gnejna Bay.

Mgarr has two important prehistoric sites: Ta' Hagrat, which is still in a good state of preservation, stands in a field near the village centre; Ta' Skorba, excavated in 1963, lies just outside the village. The two sites are described in detail in another section of this manual.

Mgarr is a favourite stopping place for people strolling in its countryside and for those travelling in cars to the nearby beaches.

Church

It was only in the beginning of the 20th century that Mġarr got its own parish and fully completed church. The church is one of the largest dome church in the world, after Mosta. The unique shape, that of an oval dome, is attributed to the extensive funds collected from the sale of locally produced eggs: more than 300,000 were sold in aid of the project.

The parish church of St. Mary (the Assumption) is a miniature copy of the Mosta Rotunda. Its building commenced in 1912 and its construction depended on free labour and on the generous contributions earned by the parishoners from the sale of farm products. Despite all efforts to expedite the work, the building was not completed before 1946.

The church stands on high ground and its elevated terrace offers a charming view of the fertile fields and of the neighbouring hillsides. Several old homesteads still exist in the narrow streets around the church. Modern buildings and a housing estate are new additions to the village.

Signor di Mugiarro

Today the title holder of Signor di Mgiarro is Principe Giuseppe Said.

Title: Signores di Mugiarro
Created: 1442
To: Antonio Inguanez, Barone di Ghariexem e Tabia, Signore di Saccaya e San Giorgio.
By: Kingdom of Sicily
Remainder: His descendants in perpetuity
Present holder: Principe Giuseppe Said, 18th Signore di Mugiarro
Descendants may style themselves: "dei Signors di Mugiarro"

References

1) Said Vassallo, C.M., Unpublished research papers.
2) Said Vassallo, C.M., [Charles Said-Vassallo's Research site] and [Maltese Nobility web site].
Text originally based on that of a website by Charles Said Vassallo, by permission.

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