Bidnija is a rural hamlet between Mosta, St. Paul's Bay and Mġarr. It is located in the northern region of Malta and is home to roughly 308 people per 2008, the second least populated habitable zone on the Maltese islands after Mdina. It is located between two main valleys; Qannotta Valley and Pwales Valley, extending into other small valleys surrounding the area. It is largely a rural village surrounded by fields mainly belong to the inhabitants, although over the years other Maltese and foreigners have settled in the area generally for its countryside views. At present, Bidnija is administered by the local councils of Mosta and St. Paul's Bay. It is home to some horse riding facilities, a clay pigeon shooting club and a Maltese cuisine restaurant specialising in traditional rabbit stew. Bidnija's small church is dedicated to the Holy Family and its feast day is celebrated in July.
History of Bidnija
Bidnija is situated in the northern central part of Malta which through the ages was a very good position and an active part in Malta. Bidnija took its name from the 'Bidni olive trees' grove that is found in this village and can date back to 5,000 years. The Antique Olive Grove at Bidnija enjoys Protected area status. These olives are of importance to olive-oil's productivity. Archaeologists and Researchers also believe some Roman remains can be found nearby, as Bidnija makes part of the rural surroundings of Rabat, which served as a City in those ages, and also is not far from Salina coast which was a Roman harbour in the past. Apart from this, one can notice the cart ruts that are found in the surroundings of Bidnija. This proves that Bidnija was already active from thousands of years ago. Along the years, the farmers of the locality built their own farmhouses in Bidnija which nowadays are owned through inheritance by their descendants who still live in the village. It was during this period that the inhabitants which in population were about 25 families, showed their wish to build a church to serve for their spiritual needs. The works on the church's building started in 1920. In the early 1900s, a number of small rooms were built all around the hill's edges. These served for the British soldiers to stay in watching the Maltese island during the World War II when Malta was a British colony. A number of war shelters are also spread all around Bidnija. These shelters served as a shelter to the farmers and the inhabitants of the village during the war.
Bidnija Church
In the 1920s a church designed by mason Salvu Zahra, was built in the area by the inhabitants themselves to serve for their spiritual needs. The church was built in just two years and each family in Bidnija decided to donate something to furnish the church. This church is dedicated to the Holy Family of Nazareth. A titular painting, together with two other works in this church were painted by Gianni Vella. The titular statue of the Holy Family was made by Wistin Camilleri and blessed in July 1977 by the Archpriest of Mosta of those years Mons. Bartolomeo Bezzina and a procession was held for the first time. The statue was commissioned and paid for by Angelo Galea as an ex-voto. The feast with the procession in the streets of Bidnija is celebrated by the people of this village on the 3rd Sunday of July. The first feast was celebrated in 1977.
