Msida is a harbor town in the northeast of Malta. Its name comes 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 Holy Mary, Mother of God. 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 St.Luke's 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.
The University of Malta is situated in a part of Msida known as Tal-Qroqq which rests on higher ground. Msida is also home to the Gian Franġisk Abela Junior College and a State Nursing Home. The construction site for Malta's new hospital, the Mater Dei Hospital is also located in the outskirts of Msida. Msida also used to be an old fishing village and some fisherman still operate. It is now a bustling university town and development has in fact been centered around an ever increasing student population at the University, as well as various new service industries that have sprung in this town in recent years. Msida became a parish in 1867. Then the settlement was centered around 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 Hamrun was hived off in 1881. Today the lowest part of Villambrosa Street remians a silent reminder of Msida's jurisdiction in this area. Msida would also eventually see parts of its territory lost to new parishes at St Venera in 1918, Pieta' in 1968 and Ta' Xbiex in 1969. Its population, which at one time numbered 11,000, thus also dwindled to a mere 6,000. However the recent aforementioned demands have now seen an increase to 8,500 inhabitants. Msida has also experienced a lot of reclamation from the sea. The town's central area and even nearby 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. Msida tradionally celebrates its St. Joseph's festival on the first sunday after July 19 every year.
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