Balzan - City of Malta

For the international Balzan prize and its donator, Eugenio Balzan, see Balzan Prize Balzan is the name of a small village found towards the centre of the Maltese Islands in the Mediterranean sea. It is one of the so called three villages, together with Attard and Lija.

The village originally consisted of a group of small dwellings and farms, but eventually grew, becoming a parish in the 17th century. Presently the village has around 3,400 inhabitants, the younger generation living on the outskirts of the village.

Local council elections take place every three years. The name Balzan is thought to be Arabic in origin, possibly coming from the olive groves and different species of orange trees which grew in the area. Also the name is thought to have originated from the surname of a Sicilian family that used to live in the area where Balzan is now situated.

The parish church, built in the mid-17th century, is dedicated to the Annunciation of Our Lady. The church is built in the form of a Latin cross, has one belfry and an elegant dome that can be seen from all around the village. The church is built on a Tuscan style from the outside and Doric on the inside. The statue used in the village feast celebrated on the 2nd week of July, is carved in wood by Salvatore Dimech and shows our lady and Gabriel the Archangel. The parish also celebrates the feast of St. Valentine, which gave the name to the village radio station, Radio Valentine, which closed down officially in 2006.