Swatar

Swatar, colloquially known as Is-Swatar and Tas-Swatar, is a hamlet in Malta situated in Birkirkara and in Msida. In 2015 it had a population of over 5,100 people, with around 1,600 families. Swatar has its own separate parish since 8 November 2006, by an official decree issued by the Bishop of Malta Monsignor Paul Cremona.Scerri, John (undated)
"Swatar"
Malta-Canada.

Swatar is located on a hill. It is in the proximity to Mater Dei Hospital and the University of Malta which are found in an area in Msida known as ''Tal-Qroqq''. Swatar is also found next to ''Tal-Qattus'' and ''Ta' Paris'' areas in Birkirkara. The hamlet has been consisting of mainly farmlands until most of the 20th century.Unknown (8 November 2008)
"Swatar today becomes St Ġorġ Preca parish"
Times of Malta, Retrieved February 11, 2016.

Some buildings, such as farmhouses, were built during the rule of the Order of St. John. Most of the buildings today were built sometimes after World War II and consist of modern neighborhoods. Some significant economic activity takes place on the side of ''Birkirkara Bypass''.

History

Swatar has been an agricultural land since the Arab period in Malta when it was not considered as a reference area on its own. During the Order of St. John the area remained largely uninhabited but the areas in the surroundings were both agricultural and hunting zones. The area started to be populated mostly after World War II when several families started to settle out of the cities. The Government of Malta has given financial advantages to acquire and build land in the 1970s and 1980s for families who moved to live there; with similar schemes around Malta.Unknown (8 November 2008)
"Swatar today becomes St Ġorġ Preca parish"
Times of Malta; retrieved February 11, 2016.

Swatar has had its own spiritual service, by the Roman Catholic Church, since 1989, and became a separate parish in 2008. The current parish priest is Fr Robert Grech. The patron of the church is Saint George Preca, a Maltese.

The area has its own social gathering groups such as the Society of Christian Doctrine (M.U.S.E.U.M), the Żgħażagħ Azzjoni Kattolika (ŻAK) and a relative new pastoral center.

The pastoral center includes the parish church, a community gathering garden, a car park and a farmhouse. The farmhouse host three main community gathering being; the Adoration Chapel, the house of the parish priest and the gathering place of the ŻAK. The farmhouse is a vernacular building and is one of the oldest buildings in Swatar. It has gone under different adaptive reuse and structural changes. The carpark is not for general public use.

There is a public garden, named ''Swatar Garden'', which is situated at Balliju Guttenberg Street. The garden is equipped with European standard facilities such as; a 5-a-side football ground, energy efficient lightning and safety and security measures.

Swatar hosts a relative large number of companies, banks and other investments, which are mainly situated overlooking the Mater Dei Hospital on ''Birkirkara Bypass''. Banks include the headquarters of the APS Bank and the HSBC Bank Call Centre.

There was a Meditation Centre for some Asian communities in Malta until September 2014 but it was closed for not having legal permits by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA). Swatar is a common housing rental area specifically for students attending the University of Malta, that are from Gozo or are on Erasmus Programme.

Governance

Swatar remains an integral part under the Birkirkara and Msida Local Councils, however it has its own administration being the ''Swatar Administrative Committee''. The Labour Party generally gains the popular vote.

Gallery

Community buildings

Swatar_Parish_Church.jpeg, Parish Church of St Ġorġ Preca
Swatar_centre_farmhouse.jpg, Pastoral Centre Farmhouse
Interior_of_Chapel_of_Adoration_in_Swatar,_Malta.jpeg, Interior of the Chapel of the Adoration (farmhouse)
Swatar_-_Day_services_for_persons_with_disabilities_-_Swatar.jpeg, Swatar centre for people with disabilities
Swatar_-_St._Martin's_School_in_Swatar.jpeg, St Martin's College

Farmhouses and farmlands

Swatar_-_Farmhouse_in_Swatar_in_Msida.jpeg, Farmhouse built in 1714
Swatar_-_Malta_-_Niche_on_farmhouse_façade_says_1714.jpeg, Niche with date reading 1714
Oldest_farmhouse_in_Swatar.jpeg, Farmhouse built during the rule of the Order of St. John
Swatar_farmhouse_-_near_University.jpeg, Farmhouse near the University of Malta

Agricultural lands and stables

Swatar_-_Horse_stable_in_Swatar.jpeg, Stable in Swatar
Swatar_agricultural_land_overlooking_Valletta.jpeg, Agricultural land overlooking Msida
Swatar_-_Agricultural_land_overlooking_Tal-Qroqq_in_Swatar.jpeg, Agricultural land overlooking Tal-Qroqq
Swatar_-_cultivated_land_in_Swatar_near_Mater_Dei_Hospital.jpeg, Cultivated land with a folly

Residential buildings

Swatar_Birkirkara_-_Maisonettes_in_Swatar.jpeg, Maisonettes
Swatar_Birkirkara_-_Apartments_in_Swatar.jpeg, Apartments
Swatar_Birkirkara_-_Government_apartments_in_Swatar.jpeg, Government built apartments
Swatar_-_Neighbourhood_in_Swatar.jpeg, Typical neighborhood in Swatar

Public gardens and landscaping

Swatar_-_Playingfield_in_Swatar.jpeg, Playingfield
Swatar_government_Landscaping_-_Swatar.jpeg, WWII pillbox in limits of Swatar

Business buildings

Swatar_-_APS_Bank_Swatar.jpeg, APS Bank headquarters
Swatar_-_HSBC_Contact_Centre_in_Swatar.jpeg, HSBC Call Centre
Swatar_-_Meditation_Centre_in_Swatar.jpeg, House formerly a Meditation Centre
Swatar_-_Tower_Business_Centre.jpeg, Tower Business Centre

Schools

* St. Martin's College
*International School of Beauty Therapy
*International School of Hairdressing
*Malta Sailing Academy, as part of RYA Sea School

Businesses

* Maypole, as part of a chain of groceries (closed)
*Tower Business CentreUnknown (24 September 2015)
"Hili Properties aiming high"
Times of Malta, Retrieved February 13, 2016.

References

{{malta-LocalCouncils

Populated places in Malta
Birkirkara
Msida