Archbishop Gonzi Square

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Location: Triq Marina, Kalkara.

Archbishop Gonzi Square is found in Kalkara Creek that was also known as English Creek which is a sheltered inlet for many fishermen’s boats. However, it is exposed to the Northeast wind. The shore, sheltered and with spectacular views was expanded various times, including the present development in the 1950s. Archbishop Gonzi Square was named after Archbishop Michael Gonzi that was born in Vittoriosa on 13th May 1885. In 1924 he became the 5th Bishop of Gozo. On 17th December 1943 after the death of Bishop Sir Mauro Monsignor Caruana, Gonzi became bishop of Malta whilst in 1944 when Malta was elevated to an Archidiocese he became Archbishop of Malta. He was instrumental in helping working class families to find good homes and he commissioned the construction of apartments for families. He also had a significant role behind the construction of many churches in particular in the construction of the Kalkara Parish church. In 1976, Michael Gonzi resigned his post as Archbishop of Malta and was succeeded by Archbishop Joseph Mercieca. Archbishop Michael Gonzi died on 22nd January 1984, aged 98. The square in front of the Parish church to which he was instrumental for its construction was named after him as a tribute for his work. In collaboration with Kottonera Foundation.

Misraħ Arċisqof Gonzi jinsab fix-Xatt tal-Kalkara jew kif kien magħruf wkoll bħala l-Port tal-Ingliżi li hija daħla kennija għal ħafna dgħajjes tas-sajjieda. Madankollu, jaħkimha ħafna il-Grigal. Ix-xatt, kenni u b’veduti spettakolari ġie estiż diversi drabi, inkluż l-iżvilupp preżenti li kien sar fis-snin ħamsin. Misraħ Arċisqof Gonzi kien imsemmi għall-Arċisqof Mikiel Gonzi li twieled il-Birgu fit-13 ta’ Mejju 1885. Fl-1924 huwa sar il-5 Isqof ta’ Għawdex. Fis-17 ta' Diċembru 1943 wara l-mewt tal-Isqof Sir Mauro Monsignor Caruana, Gonzi sar isqof ta' Malta imbagħad fl-1944 meta Malta ġiet elevata għal Arċidjoċesi huwa sar Arċisqof ta' Malta. Gonzi kien strumentali biex jgħin lill-familji tal-klassi tal-ħaddiema jsibu djar aħjar u kkummissjona l-kostruzzjoni ta' appartamenti għall-familji. Huwa kellu wkoll rwol sinifikanti fil-kostruzzjoni ta' ħafna knejjes b'mod partikolari fil-kostruzzjoni tal-knisja Parrokkjali tal-Kalkara. Fl-1976, Michael Gonzi rriżenja mill-kariga tiegħu bħala Arċisqof ta’ Malta u floku nħatar l-Arċisqof Joseph Mercieca. L-Arċisqof Michael Gonzi miet fit-22 ta’ Jannar 1984, fl-età ta’ 98. Il-misraħ ta’ quddiem il-knisja Parrokkjali li Gonzi kien strumentali għall-kostruzzjoni tagħha ġiet imsemmija għalih bħala ġieħ għax-xogħol li għamel. B’kollaborazzjoni mal-Fondazzjoni Kottonera.