Msida (, ) is a harbour town in the Central Region of Malta with a population of 7,623 (2021).
Location
The town is located just west of Valletta on the northeast coast of Malta.
The neighbouring towns of Msida are Ta' Xbiex, Gżira, San Ġwann, Birkirkara, Santa Venera, Ħamrun and Pietà. Msida is an important town for all travellers as many of the country's bus routes pass through it.
Etymology
The name Msida is said to originate from an Arabic word meaning "a fisherman's dwelling". However it could also be derived from the word 'Omm Sidna' meaning 'The Mother of Our Lord' since there could have been a small chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.
Church & Traditions
The patron saint of Msida is Saint Joseph while the protector is The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
For a week and a half every July, the town celebrates the feast of St. Joseph. The feast of Msida is also famous for its pole climbing challenge called il-Ġostra. This traditiional competition sees a large number of men queing to climb a well greased pole in order to reach the top and collect a scarf as a winning sign. The pole is suspended above the sea which allows the many unsuccessful competitors to fall safely and swim back to shore. The two towns that organise il-Gostra regularly are Msida and St. Julians.
St. Joseph Church
Msida parish church, dedicated to San Ġużepp (St. Joseph) was built in 1889. Under the religious guidance of Bishop Carmelo Scicluna and the main benefactor Mgr Francesco Falzon Debono who contributed financially towards its building, the church was erected to replace the old church of the Immaculate Conception. The foundation stone was laid on 4 April 1886. The building was finalised by 1889 and the church was officially consecrated on 22 April 1984. Architect Andrea Grima was responsible for the plans, their execution, and all works involved to build the church.
Notable Places
Msida is situated right on the coastal creek. Walking along the coast one can see various marinas, boat slipways as well as many locals fishing from shore,
Msida became a parish in 1867. Then the settlement was centered on the hovels located inward at Valley Road, and some nearby ancillary roads and pathways which led up to the quaint district of Villambrosa. This status did not last long however, as a new parish Ħamrun was hived off in 1881. Today the lowest part of Villambrosa Street remains a silent reminder of Msida's jurisdiction in this area. Msida would also eventually see parts of its territory lost to new parishes at Santa Venera in 1918, Pietà in 1968 and Ta' Xbiex in 1969.
Its population, which at one time numbered 11,500, thus also dwindled to a mere 6,000. However, the recent aforementioned demands as well as residential developments in the outlying suburb of Swatar, have now seen an increase to more than 7600 inhabitants.
Today, Msida is a bustling university town and development has been centered on an increasing student population at the university as well as various new service industries that have sprung in this town in recent years.
The city houses many university students, mostly Gozitans.
Geography
The lower part of Msida lies at the outlet of a valley and is a fulcrum for heavy traffic going to Sliema, Valletta, Birkirkara and Mater Dei Hospital. When it rains, water rushes down towards the sea from surrounding cities at higher levels and often causes floods, bringing traffic to a halt in the area opposite the Parish Church dedicated to St. Joseph. Msida also hosts an old rock hewn chapel dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, a rarity of its kind.
Msida has also experienced a lot of reclamation from the sea. The town centre and surrounding areas which were located below sea-level were all reclaimed from the sea, after World War II. A new project which intends to catch more surface rainwater running should also considerably remedy a perennial flooding problem which affects this area as well as nearby towns.
Media
Msida host two local newspapers. The Leħen il-Misidjani ("The Voice of the Misidjani") is produced and edited by the local band club the Għaqda Melita Banda San Ġużepp Msida. The "Leħen il-Misidjani" gathers information on most of the communities, clubs and associations based in an around Msida.
Another newspaper is the Id f'Id ("Hand in Hand"), produced by the Parish and the Għaqda Armar Msida. It contains information on church activities, religious activities in Msida and the Feasts.