Mellieħa

Mellieħa (Maltese: il-Mellieħa [ɪl mɛˈlːɪːħɐ]) is a large village in the Northern Region of Malta.

[1] Mellieħa is also a tourist resort, popular for its sandy beaches, natural environment, and Popeye Village nearby.

According to local tradition, St. Luke, who was accompanying St. Paul, came across one of Mellieħa's caves and painted the figure of Our Lady on the rock face.

It still existed in 1436, but was abandoned soon afterwards in the late 15th or early 16th century, since the north of Malta was no longer safe due to raids by Muslim corsairs.

[8] Malta was one of the first regions that Muslims entered in the Mediterranean, and this is evident in the Islamic heritage of buildings and ancient relics of mosques and homes.

This large tower was built on Marfa Ridge, overlooking Mellieħa Bay, with clear views of Comino and Gozo.

The village became a parish once again in 1844, and began to develop after the British encouraged people to settle in the area by giving leases to the population.

The British also built a number of pillboxes around the coastline of Mellieħa, for defensive purposes in case of an Italian or German invasion.

To the east of the town and bay, there is the Selmun peninsula, and St Paul's Islands lie about 80 metres off the coast.

Sailing is also a major drive for tourisum with the Euromed championships taking place between the 19th and the 22nd of December from the beach by the "Munchies" restaurant.

The Devil's Farmhouse (Ir-Razzett tax-Xitan)
Mellieħa Bay
Selmun Palace and farms complex
Ċirkewwa is a popular dive site