(for maltese version click here)

Ħamrun

Ħamrun is a suburb which is situated some 2.25 km away from Malta’s capital, Valletta. “Propera Augesco” (which means ‘ I grow rapidly’) is its motto - this explains how Ħamrun grew along the years to become one of the largest towns in Malta. According to the 2005 census, Ħamrun’s population is 9,513.

In its origins, Ħamrun was known as Casale San Giuseppe. In fact in the 19th Century the maltese people were very devoted of St. Joseph, not least in this town. The name of this saint remained associated with Ħamrun, so much so that the main road of this town is called St. Joseph High Road.

It was in 1881 that the name was officially changed to Ħamrun. Although its not yet known for certain from where this name derived, there exist different hypothesis. The main amongst those is that the name Ħamrun derived from the red colour of the soil ( ‘ħamrija ħamra’ in maltese), which this town was so popular for.   
The other explanation is that the name derived from a nickname of a popular family. In fact the family nickname was “tal-Ħamruna”.

The people of Ħamrun are known as ‘Ħamruniżi’ and are traditionally called ‘tas-sikkina’ literally meaning ‘of the knife’. The ‘ ħamruniżi’ are renowned for their joyful merry making which they create on occasions so close to their hearts.  This merry making is really evident during the feast of St. Gaetan which is held every August and is hailed as one of the best feasts in Malta.

In Ħamrun there are various churches and chapels, but the main one is that dedicated to the patron saint, St. Gaetan who is also referred to as the patron saint of providence. There exists another parish church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.

Sporting facilities in Ħamrun are also present especially where football is concerned. In fact in Ħamrun there is one of the few football grounds with natural turf in Malta; the Victor Tedesco Stadium managed by Ħamrun Spartans F.C. Maltese premier league matches are also played in this stadium.  The Spartans have a glorious history in Maltese football as they are the winners of 7 premier league titles as well of other prestigious trophies.

Today, Ħamrun besides being in the whole a residential town, is also one of the biggest commercial centres in Malta. Few are the places in Malta which can be proud to have a wide and long road like that of Ħamrun. Besides, Ħamrun is the biggest educative centre in Malta, as it is the town with the major number of schools in it.

Ħamrun is exceptionally  renowned for the activity one finds in it. All day long Ħamrun is full of people walking, shopping and enjoying themselves. This makes Ħamrun a living and energetic town, and it is in those aspects that the beauty of Ħamrun emerges.