Should the southern port city be known as the formal-sounding Senglea or the more popular and colloquial Isla?

A proposal by the Senglea local council to formally change the name to Senglea has sparked a great deal of public discussion

Fr Robin Camilleri, the Archpriest of the town, believes it should be known as Senglea. While people can (and no doubt will) still refer to it as L-Isla, he is working with the council to ensure that Senglea is the sole name used across official documents, information, and publications.

Both names are rooted deep in Maltese history.

The area was once known as Isola di San Giuliano, named after a small chapel in the area that was dedicated to St Julian, the patron saint of hunting.

While the area is clearly not an island, the late Maltese historian Godfrey Wettinger has suggested that the old Maltese definition for “island” had retained the sense of the Arabiv “jazeerah” which means both “peninsula” and “island”.

Isola later became L-Isla. 

The Knights of St John, who recognised its strategic position and vulnerability to Ottoman invasions, eventually fortified the area and named it Senglea, after Grand Master Claude de la Sengle. After the Great Siege of Malta, it was also given the honorary title of Città Invicta – the Unconquered City.

Fr Camilleri argued that, just as Valletta was named after Grand Master Jean Parisot de La Valette (de la Sengle’s successor) and retained its official name, Senglea should also preserve its official name.

“The Unconquered City has a history that deserves respect and accuracy,” he said. “Senglea is a name of honour, courage and loyalty – and it is a name that should continue to shine on every foundation and in every heart.”

Do you think the town should change its name?