If you’ve ever roamed Malta’s southwestern area, you’re likely to have come across the peaceful town of Siġġiewi, known for its winding streets, magnificent parish church and scenic surroundings. But behind its quiet beauty is a lesser-known story that tells us an interesting fact: Siġġiewi wasn’t always just one village.
In fact, what we now call Siġġiewi (or Città Ferdinand) was originally made up of four distinct hamlets – Ħal Xluq, Ħal Kbir, Ħal Niklusi and Ħal Qdieri – each with its own unique character and history.
Ħal Xluq sits near the border between Siġġiewi and Qrendi, and even boasts its own quaint chapel dedicated to Saint Mary.
Ħal Kbir lies between the open countryside and the scenic coastal area of Għar Lapsi. Its jewel is the elegant Chapel of Our Lady of Divine Providence, known locally as ‘Tal-Providenza’. This beautifully preserved 18th-century structure was originally dedicated to the Flight to Egypt, and remains a beautiful wayside chapel to this day.
Ħal Niklusi, located just north of Siġġiewi’s iconic parish church, likely owes its name to St Nicholas, to whom the main church is dedicated. Though small, this area played a big part in shaping the community’s identity. Information on this hamlet and even more so on Ħal Qdieri is sadly quite limited.
Over time, these rural hamlets and others like them – which at the time had mere tens of inhabitants – slowly merged. Together, they laid the foundation for what would eventually become Siġġiewi.
Today, while you won’t find Ħal Xluq, Ħal Kbir, Ħal Niklusi or Ħal Qdieri on modern maps, their memory lives on – in local stories, weathered property deeds, and even the occasional street name.
So next time you’re enjoying a quiet moment in the Siġġiewi square, wandering through the countryside, or taking part in a village festa, remember – you’re standing on the crossroads of four villages and centuries of Maltese history.
Do you know of any more hamlets like these?