In photos: Birżebbuġa in the 1880s, 1950s, and 1970s

A few weeks ago, we introduced Joe Scicluna, a local archivist with a collection of Maltese photos Joe has acquired over decades as a Forensic photographer. Joe generously allowed House.mt to share a sliver of the photos he has acquired.

Here’s some facts about Birżebbuġa we think are worth sharing

• Artifacts from Għar Dalam, a cave in Birżebbuġa, date back to the Neolithic Period some 7,400 years ago. The lowermost layers, more than 500,000 years old, contain the fossil bones of dwarf elephants, hippopotami, micro-mammals and birds. These findings has led experts believe that Malta was once connected to continental Europe.
• Borġ in-Nadur, a bronze age fortified settlement, reveal hints about the Neolithic people who lived in Malta, and then became extinct, in 1900BC
• Birżebbuġa is home to a number of other historical sites, such as the Ferretti Battery, Pinto Battery, and the Birżebbuġa entrenchments. There are 7 churches in Birżebbuġa.
• During the British period, Fort Benghisa, RAF Kalafrana and RAF Hal Far were built in Birżebbuġa.
• St George’s Bay is famous for its Cart Ruts that go across the small sandy bay.

Birżebbuġa in 1951 – Triq San Ġorġ between Triq Birżebbuġa and Dawret il-Qalb Imqaddsa

Birżebbuġa in 1880 – Going uphill towards Għar Dalam.

Birżebbuġa in 1910 – St George’s Bay

Birżebbuġa in 1910 – hotel Downdall at il-Qajjenza

Birżebbuġa in 1900 – Pretty Bay

Birżebbuġa in 1930’s – Kalafrana sea plane depot

Birzebbuga in 1940’s – Lido Cinema with Belle Isle skating ring on the left

Birżebbuġa in 1930’s – St George’s bay with Shell fuel Depot in the background

Birżebbuġa in 1950’s – Pretty Bay

Pretty Bay in 1929

Birżebbuġa aerial view in the 1970s

Do you have photos of Birżebbuġa you’d like us to share?

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