Żejtun (also called Iż-Żejtun) is a medium sized town in the south of Malta. Żejtun holds the title of Città Beland, which was bestowed by Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim, Grandmaster of Knights of Malta in 1797, Beland being his mother’s surname.
Żejtun takes its name from the Sicilian Arabic for “olive”- zaytun (comparable to the Spanish and Portuguese, “aceituna” and “azeituna” respectively), which was one of the main productive industries in Malta.
The heritage tour of the core of Żejtun portrays the development of a typical Mediterranean community. At the same time, it evokes a distinct Maltese character with local overtones. Żejtun itself represents the more prominent characteristics of the south of Malta.
The parish church was built between 1692 and 1720, according to the design of Lorenzo Gafà, one of Malta’s foremost architects. Żejtun parish church is considered by many as his masterpiece. It is an imposing edifice, with an attractive dome, Doric and Ionic pilasters, and massive cornices all round.
The Żejtun Parish Church Museum is adjacent to St. Catherine’s Parish Church has a selection of works of art related to the parish and history of Żejtun. The collection ranges from furniture to sculptures, from archaeological ceramics to fine glass, from etchings to paintings.
Among the work of art there is portrait of the beheading of St. Catherine from the School of Caravaggio. The Żejtun Parish Church is working on a heritage trail for visitors within the church. From where visitors will start from the Oratory of the Blessed Sacrament, and can visit also, apart from the Museum, the parish church crypts and the sacristy where one can still notice the beheading of St. Catherine from the School of Caravaggio.
The feast of Saint Gregory was one of the principal traditional feasts on the islands, involving a procession composed of confraternities from all the parishes on the islands. Recent studies have concluded that the procession was first held in 1543 by Bishop Cubelles, in response to a papal call for prayers for peace. Originally the feast was held on 12 March, later moving to Easter Wednesday. The modern procession begins at the Chapel of Saint Clement, which is just over a kilometer away from the church of Saint Gregory. Traditionally, after the ceremony those in attendance go to the nearby harbour of Marsaxlokk for their first swim of the year.
In Żejtun, Holy Week is marked by a series of deeply rooted religious traditions that begin with the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, celebrated on the Friday before Palm Sunday. This solemn event features a procession with the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, where participants often walk in silence, recite prayers, carry rosary beads, or even walk barefoot as acts of penance or devotion. Palm Sunday follows with processions across various towns and villages, including Żejtun, showcasing statues of Christ and sometimes led by the Archbishop. The Our Lady of Mercy church in Bir id-Deheb, a hamlet within Żejtun, hosts a separate feast in September dedicated to Our Lady, which is a more localized celebration.
The peak of Holy Week in Żejtun is the Good Friday procession, a major event that lasts over five hours and draws large crowds. The procession of the Good Friday in Zejtun, dates to the 1742. Complementing this are Last Supper displays held at venues such as the Beland Band Club, the Żejtun Band Club, and the parish church crypt, particularly on Thursday morning and evening. From Maundy Thursday onward, the traditional wooden instrument known as the ċuqlajta replaces church bells, enhancing the solemnity of the occasion. Easter Sunday brings a joyful conclusion with the procession of the Risen Christ, accompanied by local bands playing Easter Waltzes. Preparations for these events begin well before Lent, with dedicated volunteers setting up statues and displays that reflect the community’s devotion and cultural heritage.
