Bidnija
|
Il-Bidnija Ir-Raħal tal-Bidnija |
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|---|---|
| Village | |
| Il-Bidnija | |
Bidnija Church
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|
 Il-Bidnija
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| Coordinates: 35°55′37″N 14°23′54″E / 35.92694°N 14.39833°ECoordinates: 35°55′37″N 14°23′54″E / 35.92694°N 14.39833°E | |
| Country |
 Malta
|
| Island | Malta Island |
| Suburb of |
 Mosta
|
| Borders | Mġarr, Mosta, St. Paul's Bay |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.4 km2 (2.5 sq mi) |
| Population (2nd smallest village) | |
| • Total | 308 |
| • Density | 48/km2 (120/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Tal-Bidnija |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal codes | MST / SPB |
| Dialing code | 356 |
| Patron saint | Sacred Family |
| Day of festa | 3rd Sunday of July |
Bidnija is a rural hamlet between Mosta, St. Paul's Bay and Mġarr. It is located in the northern region of Malta and is home to roughly 308 people per 2008, the second least populated habitable zone on the Maltese islands after Mdina (306 people). It is located between two main valleys; Qannotta Valley and Pwales Valley, extending into other small valleys surrounding the area. It is largely a rural village surrounded by fields mainly belong to the inhabitants, although over the years other Maltese and foreigners have settled in the area generally for its countryside views.
At present, Bidnija is administed by the local councils of Mosta and St. Paul's Bay. It is home to some horse riding facilities, a clay pigeon shooting club and a Maltese cuisine restaurant specialising in traditional rabbit stew. Bidnija's small church is dedicated to the Holy Family and a its feast day is celebrated in July.
Bidnija is situated in the northern central part of Malta which through the ages was a very good position and an active part in Malta.
Bidnija took its name from the 'Bidni olive trees' grove that is found in this village and can date back to 5,000 years. The Antique Olive Grove at Bidnija enjoys Protected area status. These olives are of importance to olive-oil's productivity. Archaeologists and Researchers also believe some Roman remains (e.g. Roman villas; tombs) can be found nearby, as Bidnija makes part of the rural surroundings of Rabat (Mdina), which served as a City in those ages, and also is not far from Salina coast which was a Roman harbour in the past.
Apart from this, one can notice the cart ruts that are found in the surroundings of Bidnija. This proves that Bidnija was already active from thousands of years ago.
Along the years, the farmers of the locality built their own farmhouses in Bidnija which nowadays are owned through inheritance by their descendants who still live in the village. It was during this period that the inhabitants which in population were about 25 families, showed their wish to build a church to serve for their spiritual needs. The works on the church's building started in 1920.
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Wikipedia