Editing Senglea

{{EngvarB|date = April 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                    = Senglea
| native_name             = L-Isla
| native_name_lang        = mt
| official_name           = 
| other_name              = Città Invicta, Civitas Invicta
| settlement_type         = City and [[Local councils of Malta|local council]]
| image_skyline           = Senglea montage.jpg
| image_caption           = From top: Skyline, typical street, [[Our Lady of Victories Parish Church|Parish Church]], Gardjola, [[Fortifications of Senglea|Land Front]]
| image_flag              = Flag of Isla.svg
| image_shield            = Isla_coa.svg
| etymology               = 
| nickname                = 
| motto                   = ''Civitas Invicta'' (Belt Qatt Mirbuħa)<br><small>(Unconquered City)</small>
| pushpin_map                     = Malta#Mediterranean
| pushpin_relief                  = 1
| map_caption             = 
| coordinates             = {{coord|35|53|16|N|14|31|1|E|type:city_region:MT|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes   = 
| subdivision_type        = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name        = {{flag|Malta}}
| subdivision_type1       = [[Regions of Malta|Region]]
| subdivision_name1       = [[Port Region, Malta|Port Region]]
| subdivision_type2       = [[Districts of Malta|District]]
| subdivision_name2       = [[Districts of Malta#Southern Harbour District|Southern Harbour District]]
| established_title       = 
| established_date        = 
| founder                 = 
| parts_type              = Borders
| parts_style             = para
| p1                      = [[Cospicua]]
| leader_title            = [[List of mayors of places in Malta|Mayor]]
| leader_name             = Clive Pulis
| leader_party            = [[Labour Party (Malta)|PL]]
| unit_pref               = Metric
| area_total_km2          = 0.2
| area_note               = 
| area_footnotes          = 
| elevation_m             = 
| elevation_footnotes     = 
| population_total        = 2720
| population_as_of        = Jan. 2019
| population_footnotes    = 
| population_density_km2  = auto
| population_note         = 
| population_demonym      = Senglean (m), Sengleana (f), Sengleani (pl)<br>Isolan (m), Isolana (f), Isolani (pl)
| timezone1               = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset1             = +1
| timezone1_DST           = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST         = +2
| postal_code_type        = [[Postal codes in Malta|Postal code]]
| postal_code             = ISL
| area_code_type          = [[List of country calling codes|Dialing code]]
| area_code               = 356
| iso_code                = MT-20
| blank_name_sec1         = [[Religion in Malta#Patron Saints|Patron saint]]
| blank_info_sec1         = [[Nativity of Mary|Marija Bambina]]<br>[[Redeemer (Christianity)|Christ the Redeemer]]
| blank1_name_sec1        = [[Public holidays in Malta#Traditional Feasts|Day of festa]]
| blank1_info_sec1        = [[Victory Day (Malta)|8 September]]<br>Third Sunday of June
| website                 = {{Official website|http://www.islalocalcouncil.com/}}
| footnotes               = 
}}

'''Senglea''' ({{langx|mt|L-Isla}} {{IPA|mt|ˈlɪslɐ|}}), also known by its title '''Città Invicta''' (or '''Civitas Invicta'''), is a [[Fortifications of Senglea|fortified]] [[city]] in the [[Port Region, Malta|Port Region]] of [[Malta]]. It is one of the [[Three Cities (Malta)|Three Cities]] in the [[Grand Harbour]] area, the other two being [[Cospicua]] and [[Vittoriosa]], and has a population of approximately 2,720 people. The city's title Città Invicta (lit. invincible city) was given because it managed to resist the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] invasion at the [[Great Siege of Malta]] in 1565. The name Senglea comes from the [[Grand Master (order)|Grand Master]] who built it [[Claude de la Sengle]] and gave the city a part of his name. While Senglea is the 52nd most populated locality on the island, due to its incredibly small land area, it is the 2nd most densely populated locality after [[Sliema]].

In Senglea, locals speak the [[Cottonera Dialect|Cottonera dialect]].

Senglea was part of a town named Birmula. When the order of St John came to Malta they planned to build 3 cities from this land. It started from Senglea, then Vittoriosa and Cospicua. The rest of the land was named Cottonera and it was surrounded with the Cottonera lines.

==History ==
[[File:Calvert Jones, The Dockyard at Senglea, Malta 1846.jpg|thumb|left|Dockyard at Senglea in 1846, [[calotype]] by [[Calvert Jones]]]]
[[File:Victory Street Senglea 1880.jpg|thumb|left|Victory St in Senglea, 1880]]
During the time of the Knights of St. John, Senglea was also used as a [[hunting]] area, and was known as ''L'Isola di San Giuliano''.

In 1311 St. Julian's church or chapel was founded in Isola. This was the first building to be constructed on what later became Senglea. On 8 May 1552 the foundation stone of Fort St. Michael was laid. Work on the fort, which was designed by Architect Pedro Pardo, was completed in 1553. Construction of walled town Senglea took place during the following decade. The area, which had until the 1550s been known as Isola di San Giuliano or Isola di San Michele, was given city status by Grand Master [[Claude De La Sengle]] and was named after him.<ref name=Council>{{cite web|url=http://www.islalocalcouncil.com/historicalinfo.htm|title=Historical information|publisher=Senglea Local Council|access-date=21 July 2011}}</ref>

Senglea played an important role in the [[Great Siege of Malta]] in 1565 and remained unconquered. The city was given the title ''Civitas Invicta'' (meaning "Unconquered City") by Grand Master [[Jean Parisot de Valette]]. In 1581 Senglea became a Parish dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady. The donation of the statue of Our Lady, popularly known as "Il-Bambina", is estimated to have occurred in 1618. Thousands of inhabitants of the city were killed in [[1675–76 Malta plague epidemic|a plague epidemic in 1676]].<ref name=Council />

In 1798, Senglea was involved in the [[French occupation of Malta|blockade against French forces]], who were ousted from Malta in 1800.<ref name=Council /> The city narrowly escaped being hit by [[1813–14 Malta plague epidemic|another plague in 1813]]; a statue of Our Lady was erected in the city's centre as a sign of gratitude.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statue of the Madonna and Child|url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Chapels%20and%20Niches/00691.pdf|website=[[National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829224855/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Chapels%20and%20Niches/00691.pdf|archive-date=29 August 2017|date=27 August 2012}}</ref>

The [[Basilica of the Nativity of Mary, Senglea|parish church]] was bestowed with the title of Basilica by [[Pope Benedict XV]] in 1921. Senglean-born Ignazio Panzavecchia was elected as the first [[Prime Minister of Malta]] in the first Self Government Constitution in the same year. Because of his ecclesiastical status he decided not to take up the position. Following Panzavecchia's refusal [[Joseph Howard (Prime Minister)|Joseph Howard]] was appointed as Prime Minister.<ref name=Council />

During the [[Second World War]] Senglea suffered heavy bombardments which devastated most of the city and killed many of its citizens. On 16 January 1941 a blitz by the [[Luftwaffe]] on [[HMS Illustrious (87)|HMS ''Illustrious'']], docked at the nearby Corradino, caused 21 fatalities and destroyed most of the city's buildings including the Basilica.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110213/letters/young-senglea-priest-among-victims-of-illustrious-blitz.349974|last=Mangion|first=Fabian|title=Young Senglea priest among victims of Illustrious blitz|work=[[The Times of Malta]]|date=13 February 2011}}</ref> [[King George VI]] visited the devastated city on 20 June 1943.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G7ogAAAAMAAJ&q=senglea+king+george+1943|last=Douglas-Hamilton|first=James|title=The air battle for Malta: the diaries of a fighter pilot|publisher=[[Mainstream Publishing]]|year=1981|page=112|isbn=0-906391-20-2}}</ref>

The newly built Basilica was consecrated by Archbishop Sir [[Mikiel Gonzi]] on 24 August 1957. The following day the Basilica resumed its normal functions after almost 16 years and the statue of Marija Bambina was placed inside its new "temple" amongst huge celebrations.

[[Pope John Paul II]] visited Senglea in May 1990. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Luftwaffe bombing of the city, a monument which honours the local victims of both World Wars was unveiled besides the Basilica on 5 September 1991. The first Local Council of Senglea was formed after an election on 3 March 1994. The first mayor of the city was Stephen Perici.<ref name=Council />

The [[Italy|Italian]] city of [[Cassino]] became a [[Town twinning|twin city]] with Senglea in 2003.<ref name=Cassino>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20020826/local/senglea-and-montecassino.168349|last=Abela|first=Joseph|title=Senglea and Montecassino|work=The Times of Malta|date=26 August 2002}}</ref> In 2010 Senglea won a [[European Destinations of Excellence]] award for aquatic tourism.<ref name=Council />

==Culture==
Senglea is particularly famous for the statue of [[Jesus Christ]] the Redeemer (''Ir-Redentur tal-Isla''), located in the [[Oratory (worship)|oratory]] of the [[basilica]] which is dedicated to the birth of the [[Blessed Virgin Mary|Virgin Mary]] (''Marija Bambina'').<ref name=Council />

<gallery>
File:Redentur4.JPG|The Redeemer
File:SengleaBasilica.jpg|Senglea Basilica
File:B3.jpg|Marija Bambina
File:Richard Ellis, Isla.png|Parish feast in Isla in the 1910s, by [[Richard Ellis (Maltese photographer)|Richard Ellis]]
</gallery>

Senglea also has a statue dedicated to [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary, mother of Jesus]], which is often referred to as ''Il-Madonna tan-Nofs'', literally meaning "Our Lady of the Centre". It was originally erected in the city centre during the time of the plague, as gratitude, for being the only town not contaminated.<ref name=Council />

The local band club is currently named "Socjeta' Filarmonika La Vincitrice".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=47&Action=1&NewsId=77032&currentPage=8|title=President and Mrs Abela end official visit in Senglea|publisher=DI-VE|date=3 October 2010}}</ref> The city's semi-professional football team [[Senglea Athletic F.C.|Senglea Athletic]] was formed in 1934 to replace the defunct Senglea United side.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090402/sport/the-fore-runners-of-senglea-athletic.251289|last=Baldacchino|first=Carmel|title=The fore-runners of Senglea Athletic|work=The Times of Malta|date=2 April 2009}}</ref>

==Population==
With an area of just over half a square mile, Senglea is Malta's smallest locality. It is also its most densely populated.  Around the start of the 20th century, Senglea had more than 8200 people, making it the most densely populated town in Europe. At the time, Senglea, as well as [[Cospicua]], were the centre of Malta's [[elite]] and intelligentsia. The Second World War rapidly altered its social structure as many left to take refuge in outlying towns and countryside, never to return. In recent years, rehabilitation of the Cottonera Waterfront as a yacht marina has spurred a lot of interest from foreign expatriates and businessmen.{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}} A March 2011 estimate put its population at 2,964.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mjha.gov.mt/MediaCenter/PDFs/1_Population%20Statistics.pdf |title=Population statistics |work=Malta Government Gazette |publisher=mjha.gov.mt |date=9 August 2011}}</ref> Its population stood at 2,821 as of March 2013,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lc.gov.mt/mediacenter/PDFs/1_Population%2031-3-13.pdf | title=Estimated Population by Locality | date=31 March 2013 | work=Malta Government Gazette | issue=19,094 | access-date=23 January 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714184236/http://www.lc.gov.mt/mediacenter/PDFs/1_Population%2031-3-13.pdf | archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> and this decreased to 2,784 in March 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014|url=https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810|publisher=[[Government of Malta]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810|archive-date=21 June 2015|date=16 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Transport==
Senglea is linked to the capital city of [[Valletta]] by a network of bus services. Prior to their introduction in the early 20th century, the cities were connected by boat services. In July 2011, following the introduction of a new bus network by [[Arriva]], boats between the two locations were restarted in response to complaints that bus journeys were too slow.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110714/local/Back-to-the-future-for-Arriva-.375391|last=Carabott|first=Sarah|title=Back to the future for Arriva?|work=[[The Times of Malta]]|date=14 July 2011}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Francesco Zahra]] (1710–1773), painter who worked on many churches in Malta<ref name=Prominent>{{cite web|url=http://www.islalocalcouncil.com/promseng.htm|title=Prominent Sengleans|publisher=Senglea Local Council|access-date=21 July 2011}}</ref>
*[[Juan Bautista Azopardo]] (1772–1848), founder of the Argentinian Navy in 1810<ref name=Prominent />
*[[Giorgio Mitrovich]] (1795–1885), politician and activist who successfully campaigned for improved freedoms and rights for Maltese people in the 1830s<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mangion |first1=Fabian |title=Recalling a brave, sincere patriot forgotten by Malta |url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150308/life-features/Recalling-a-brave-sincere-patriot-forgotten-by-Malta.559170 |work=[[Times of Malta]] |date=8 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325231446/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150308/life-features/Recalling-a-brave-sincere-patriot-forgotten-by-Malta.559170 |url-status=live |archive-date=25 March 2015}}</ref>
*[[Louis Shickluna]] (1808–1880), shipbuilder whose shipyards in [[Canada]] constructed over 140 ships between 1838 and 1880<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080616/local/louis-shickluna-a-successful-senglean-shipbuilder.212808|last=Abela|first=Joseph|title=Louis Shickluna - A successful Senglean shipbuilder|work=The Times of Malta|date=16 June 2008}}</ref>
*[[Andrea De Bono]] (1821–1871), explorer of both the [[River Nile]] and the [[Sobat River]] in Africa<ref name=Prominent />
*Ignazio Panzavecchia (1855–1925), priest and politician who declined the position of Prime Minister of Malta in 1921 after his party won a majority<ref name=Council />
*Mauro Inguanez (1887–1955), priest at the Benedictine Abbey of [[Cassino]], now a twin city of Senglea, and later librarian at the Valletta-based Royal Library<ref name=Cassino />
*John F. Marks (1894–1954), man of remarkable political foresight and intellectual initiative who was founder of Dar tal-Haddiema in Senglea. Active member of Labour Party Council instrumental in matters pertaining to the Constitution such as social, educational, industrial and legislative.  Prepared the text for Dr. Boffa to propose Bills in Legislative Assembly for Workers Rights and the replacement of Italian with Maltese and English languages in courts and civil service. Leading promoter in the party ensuring that May Day was created in Malta in 1926.
*Gigi Gauci (1911–2003), politician and founder member of the [[Malta Labour Party]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.maltatoday.com.mt/2003/06/08/l8.html|title=Gigi passes away as Labour party salutes|work=[[Malta Today]]|date=8 June 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701164044/http://archive.maltatoday.com.mt/2003/06/08/l8.html|archive-date=1 July 2012}}</ref>
*[[Charles Clews]] (1919–2009), actor and comedian<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/news2.asp?artid=101292|last=Azzopardi|first=Marika|title=Charles Clews – Comedian Extraordinaire|work=[[The Malta Independent]]|date=7 February 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315084144/http://www.independent.com.mt/news2.asp?artid=101292|archive-date=15 March 2012}}</ref>
*Anthony Perici (1920–2010), politician, first full-time Mayor of [[Twinsburg, Ohio]]<ref name=tb>{{cite news|first=Andrew|last=Schunk|title=Anthony Perici, city's first full-time mayor, dies|url=http://www.twinsburgbulletin.com/news/article/4808933|work=[[Twinsburg Bulletin]]|date=15 April 2010|access-date=18 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717120317/http://www.twinsburgbulletin.com/news/article/4808933|archive-date=17 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Charles Thake]] (1927–2018), actor

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Malta}}

Senglea is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Twinning|url=https://localgovernment.gov.mt/en/lc/Senglea/Pages/Services/Twinning.aspx|website=localgovernment.gov.mt|publisher=Government of Malta|access-date=18 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Zarasai|url=http://www.visitlithuania.net/lithuania/54-cities/253-zarasai|website=visitlithuania.net|publisher=Visit Lithuania Travel Agency|access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Cassino]], Italy
*{{flagicon|LTU}} [[Zarasai]], Lithuania

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="165" heights="130">
File:Malta 11 Great Harbour.jpg|A view of Senglea from the Grand Harbour
File:Senglea Point.JPG|Senglea Point
File:Fort St. Michael at Malta (sunset).jpg|View of Senglea from the [[Upper Barrakka Gardens]]
File:Gardjola Garden, Senglea.jpg|Gardjola Garden<ref>{{cite news|date=16 December 2017|last=Serracino|first=Joseph|title=Dawra kulturali mal-Port il-Kbir|newspaper=Orizzont|page=23|url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/51888/1/Orizzont_Dawra%20kulturali%20mal-port%20il-kbir%20%281%29.pdf}}</ref>
File:Gardjola (The Spur) seen from the harbour.jpg|The Gardjola, Senglea
File:Senglea Basilica Interior.jpg|Inside Senglea's Basilica
File:Il-Malta2.JPG|Senglea Feast - Il-Malta
File:Festa2.JPG|Senglea Feast - Marija Bambina
File:Regatta2008.JPG|The Regatta, Senglea's most popular sport
File:Senglea - panoramic view towards Valetta, Malta - 2016.jpg|Panoramic view at sunset from Senglea towards Valletta
File:View of Senglea.jpg|View of Senglea from Valletta
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.islalocalcouncil.com/ Official website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061109130756/http://www.senglea.net/ Senglea Basilica]
*[http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/tourism/eden/themes-destinations/countries/malta/isla Awarded "EDEN - European Destinations of Excellence" non traditional tourist destination 2010]

{{Local councils of Malta and Gozo}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Senglea| ]]
[[Category:Local councils of Malta]]
[[Category:Mediterranean port cities and towns in Malta]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 1550s]]