Isouard Street
Triq Isouard
Isouard Street
1. Introduzzjoni
1. Introduction
Din hi waħda mill-itwal toroq f'Tas-Sliema li tibda minn Triq Rudolfu u tibqa nieżla dritt lejn l-inħawi ta' l-Exiles. Taqsam seba' toroq li huma Kent, Sant'Elena, Blanche Huber, Depiro, Norfolk, Sta Margerita u Dun Karm Psaila.
Hi triq popolari ħafna l-aktar għal żewġ raġunijiet. L-ewwel, fiha insibu waħda mill-knejjes parrokjali f'Tas-Sliema, dik iddedikata lil San Girgor il-Kbir, u t-tieni għax twaslek għall-iskola primarja tal-gvern. Minħabba f'hekk, fl-imgħoddi din it-triq kellah fiha numru ta' ħwienet tal-merċa, taż-żebgħa, tal-affarijiet tal-kċina u kif ukoll bażar.
This is one of the longest streets in Sliema, joining Rudolphe Street to the Exiles area. It crosses seven streets namely Kent, Saint Helen, Blanche Huber, Depiro, Norfolk, Saint Margaret, and Dun Karm Psaila.
It is a popular street due to the fact that one finds two prominent buildings in it, namely the church of St Gregory the Great, being one of the parish churches in Sliema and the state primary school. Consequently, in the past this street had a number of business outlets such as groceries, ironmongeries, shops selling kitchenware and a bazaar.
2. Nicolo Isouard
Nicolo Isouard twieled Ħaż-Żebbuġ fl-1775. Ħalla Malta mal-Franċiżi fl-1800 u qatt ma reġa' ġie fostna. Fil-5 ta' Novembru 1812 iżżewweġ lil Christine Berhault u kellu żewġ ulied: Sophie-Nicole (1809-?) u Annette-Julie (1814-1876). Miet f'Pariġi fit-23 ta' Marzu 1818 meta kellu biss 43 sena. Isouard huwa mużiċista ta' fama internazzjonali. Kiteb 42 opra. Fi Franza għandu fama ta' wieħed mill-aqwa kompożituri u kien magħruf bħala "Nicolo de Malte".
Fl-1874, jiġifieri sitta u ħamsin sena wara mewtu, in-Nutar Saverio Camilleri ħareġ għall-bejgħ propjeta' f'Malta li kienet tappartjeni lil Nicolo Isouard. Billi dan kien diġa mejjet, għaddiet f'idejn uliedhu. Dawn ma kinux interessati f'din il-propjeta' u għalhekk iddeċiedu li jbigħuha. Is-sehem ta' Nicolo Isouard f'dan il-wirt kien jikkonsisti f'dar, mezzanin u kamra fi Strada Brittanja il-Belt u fond rustiku ta' tmintax -il tomna msejjaħ " Tar-Ramel" f'Tas-Sliema, li dak iż-żmien kienet tiġi limiti ta' Birkirkara. Hawn kien hemm razzett u siġra tat-tin.Din il-propjeta rustika kienet f'l-inħawi fejn illum insibu din it-triq. Kemm hu hekk meta l-Arċisqof Caruana (1867-1943) akkwista l-art għall-bini tal-knisja ta' San Girgor, din kienet magħrufa bħala "tar-Ramel". B'Tifkira (li forsi ftit li jagħtu kasha) l-apartamenti l-kbar mibnija fit-tarf t'isfel ta' din it-triq jisimhom "Ramel Buildings"
Nicolo Isouard was born in Zebbug in 1775. He emigrated to France in 1880 never to see the island again. On the 5th of November 1812 he married Christine Berhauld and had two daughters, Sophie-Nicole (1809-?) and Annette-Julie (1814-1876). He died at the young age of 43 on the 23rd of March 1818.Isouard is a world renowned composer, writing 42 operas in his short life. He is considered in France as one of the best composers and nicknamed "Nicole de Malte".
Fifty six years after his death, that is in 1874, the notary Saverio Camilleri issued a number of properties belonging to the then late Nicolo Isouard for sale. This was the result of the disinterest his daughters as the heirs had in this property. The property included a house and single floor residence and a room in Brittania Street in Valletta, and an eighteen tumuli piece of land known as "Tar-Ramel" in Sliema which during those times was in the limits of Birkirkara. This land consisted of a farm house and a fig tree. This land was situated in the area where today one finds Isouard Street. As a matter of fact, when the archbishop of the time, Archbishop Mauro Caruana (1867-1943), obtained a piece of land in the area to build the church dedicated to Saint Gregory, the area was known as "Tar-Ramel". Furthermore, a memory of this is a block of apartments which have been called "Ramel Buildings".
3. L-Iskola tal-Gvern ta' Tas-Sliema
3. Sliema State School
Il-biċċ l-kbira tad-djar mibnija f'din it-triq inbnew fl-ewwel nofs tas-seklu għoxrin, meta allura Tas-Sliema kienet fl-aqwa tagħha. Bla dubju ta' xejn l-ewwel bini fl-inħawi kienet l-iskola primarja mibnija sl-1910. Hi waħda mill-isbaħ u mill-ikbar skejjel li għandna fi gżiritna, mibnija mill-perit Andre Vassallo (1856-1928) minn Ħal-Luqa. Fiha nistgħu naraw il-kapaċita' u l-eleganza li kien kapaċi joħloq dan il-perit fil-ħafna xogħlijiet li kien għamel. Andrea Vassallo ħallielna xogħol mill-aqwa fostom il-knisja tal-Madonna ta' Pinu, f'Għawdex, l-istar Zammit Clapp u flimkien mal-Perit Guiseppi Psaila (1891-1960) kien għamel id-disin tal-Balluta Buildings.
Most of the houses in this street were build within the first half of the twentieth century. However, the very first building there was the primary school, build in 1910. This school is one of the largest and nicest school on the island. Built by the architect Andre Vassallo(1856-1928), this building uncovers the elegance by which this architect used to design his buildings. Other examples of his work, just to name a few are the Church of Our Lady of Pinu in Gozo and Zammit Clapp Hospital. He was the architect who with Architect Giuseppe Psaila (1891-1960) designed Balluta Buildings.
L-iskola kif dtidher minn Triq Isouard kantuniera ma' Triq Depiro
The School as seen from Isouard Street corner with Depiro Street
L-iskola hija mdawra b' erbgħa toroq, Isouard, Blanche-Huber, Melita u Triq Depiro. F'kull faċċatqa wieħed jista' japprezza x-xogħol sabiħ ta' bini. F'kull kantuniera hemm żewġ għamla ta torrijiet li fihom hemm minquza l-arma ta' Malta u dik ta' l-Ingilterra.
There are four streets around the school namely Isouard, Blanche-Huber, Melita and Depiro street. Each of the four facades boasts its architectural beauty, whereas in every corner one find two tower-like turrets having the Maltese and the English coat of arms carved.
F'l-ewwel gwerra l-kbira, dan il-bini serva bħala sptar għal-feruti. Illum, fil-bini ta' l-iskola wiehed isib il-kwartieri ta' l-Iscouts, kif ukoll l-offiċini tal-Kunsil Lokali ta' tas-Sliema.
During the WW1, the school was converted into a hospital for the injured. Today, the school premises houses the Sliema Scout Group quarters and the Local Council.
4. Il-Knisja Parrokjali - San Girgor il-Kbir
4. St Gregory the Great Parish Church
Il-knisja sabiħa ta' stil Romanesk iddedikala lil San Girgor il-Kbir hi opra tal-perit Godwin Galizia. Benefattur ewlieni ta' din il-knisja kien l-Arċisqof Don Mauro Caruana. Dan kien spiss iżur il-feruti ta' l-ewwel gwerra li kienu rikoverati fl-iskola li allura kienet għadha ġdida u li kienet qegħda sservi bħala sptar. Maora Caruana li kellhu ħafna ħbieb jogħqodu f'Tas-Sliema fehem li dawk l-inħawi kien ser jiġi żviluppat u mill-kuntatti li kellhu irnexxielu jakkwista biċċa art kbira magħrufa bħala "Tar-Ramel" u fuqha nbniet il-knisja sabieħa li naraw illum.
Architect Godwin Galizia was the one who designed the Romanesque church dedicated to Saint Gregory the Great. The main benefactor of the church was Archbishop Caruana who donated the land in the area known as "Tar-Ramel" which he managed to acquire through various contacts he had whilst this part of Sliema was being urbanised. It is said that during the first world war Archbishop Caruana used to visit the sick and wounded who were being recovered in the school which had been converted into a hospital.
5. Niagara Falls
Tmiss ma' din il-knisja naraw dar sabiħa bl-isem Niagara Falls bil-bieb tagħha sabiħ imżejjen b'par kolonni Joniċi u mdawwra bi skultura sabiħa kif inhuma wkoll it-twieqi. Din id-dar kienet tal-perit Karmenu Chetcuti li bena dar oħra f'l-istess inħawi.
Adjacent to the church, one finds a beautiful house by the name of "Niagara Falls". Its door is guarded by a pair of Ionic columns, whereas the door and the windows alike are adorned with stone carvings. This house was once the residence of architect Karmenu Chetcuti who also made the plans of another house in the same area.
6. Art Nouveau
Sebat id-djar li jinsabu f'din it-triq u li qiegħdin bejn triq Rudolfu u Triq Blanche fihom elementi ta stil Art Nouveau. Dawn id-djar igibu l-ismijiet Agate, Ruby, Topaz, Dengru, Fred, May u Sunny. Fit-twieqi, bibien u l-galleriji, u fil-vilistrun jidhru sinjali ċari ta'dan l-istil.
In this street the Art Nouveau style can also be found. This is evident in seven adjacent houses, situated between Rudolphe and Blanche street and named Agate, Ruby, Topaz, Dengru, Fred, May and Sunny. This style is clearly visible in many of the apertures and structures on the façade namely the windows, doors, balconies and over the front door.
7. Monsignor Rafel Capurro
Source : www.stellamarissliema.com
F'kantuniera ma' Triq Sta Margerita, wieħed jara żewgt idjar bl-isem Estia u Vesta. Għal numru ta' snin fl-ewwel dar kien jogħqod Monsinjur Rafel Capurro. Dan kien qassis Senglejan u fl-ewwel snin tas-seklu għoxrin kien kappillan ta' Ħal Safi. Imbgħad bejn l-1919 ul-1941 kien kappillan ta' Stella Maris. Spicca bħala Arcidjaknu tal-Katidral. Miet fl-1966 u jibqa' magħruf bħala predikatur u bħala bniedem ta' dixxiplina kbira.
Corner with Saint Margaret Street there are two house by the names of Estia and Vestia. For a number of years Monsignor Rafel Capurro lived in the former house. He was a priest from Senglea who was a parish priest in Has-Safi during the first years of the twentieth century. Between 1919 and 1941 he was the parish priest of Stella Maris parish church in Sliema, however which he was ordained as an Archdeacon in the Cathedral. He died in 1966 and will always be remembered as an exemplary and disciplined priest and a good preacher.
8. Nr. 66
Interessanti ħafna hija l-gallerija tad-dar numru 66 li taħbat faċċata ta' l-iskola tal-gvern. Barra din il-gallerija tradizzjonali, magħha hemm magħquda gallerija oħra mikxufa magħmula bl-injam iżda l-panewijiet tagħha huma magħmulin minn xogħol sbiħ tal-ħadid qisu bizzilla. Ta' l-istess stil huwa l-vilistrun.
The house numbered 66 found opposite the school has a very interesting feature. Apart from the traditional gallerija, this house has two open wooden balconies with metal railings, the design of which resembles lace. The glass opening over the main door is similarly decorated.
9. St John, St Paul & Ramel
Fin-naħa t'isfel ta' din it-triq wieħed jista' jara tliet blokki kbar ta' appartamenti bl-isem St John, St Paul u Ramel. Dawn inbnew f'l-ewwel nofs tas-seklu 20. Fit-tieni appartament kien joqgħod għal żmien twil l-avukat Giovanni Felice (1899-1977), Slimiż li twielet fl-1899. Giovanni Felice iggradwa fil-liġi fl-Universita Rjali ta' Malta fis-sena 1922, fejn wara serva bħala eżaminatur fil-liġi internazzjonali fl-istess istituzzjoni. Kien president tal-"Guild of Graduates" kif ukoll president tas-Sliema Club bejn l-1951 u l-1954.
Fil-ħajja politika, kien elett fil-parlament mal-Partit Nazzjonalista fl-1953. Serva bħala Ministru tal-Ġustizzja taħt gvern ta' koalizzjoni, u wara bħala Ministru ta' l-Iżvilupp Industrijali u Turiżmu u Ministru tal-Finanzi, Dwana u l-Port. Għal xi żmien kien ukoll Aġent Prim Ministru. F'Settembru ta' l-1955 ġie maħtur membru tar-"Round table Conference" u kien preżenti għat-taħdidiet mal-Gvern Ingliż dwar l-indipendenza ta' Malta 1,2.
Nearer the bottom end of the street are three blocks of apartments called St John, St Paul and Ramel. These were build around the first half of the 20th century. The Lawyer Giovanni Felice (1899-1927), a Nationalist MP and minister used to live in a flat in St Paul Apartments. Sliema born, he graduated in law in 1922. Following his graduation he was an examiner of international law at the Royal University of Malta. He was also the president of the 'Guild of Graduates' and president of Sliema Club between 1951 and 1954.
As a politician, he was elected in parliament in 1953 within the Nationalist Party and became Minister of Justice in the coalition government ( 1953-54) followed by Minister of Industrial Development and Tourism and Minister of Finance Customs and Port. He also served as acting Prime Minister. In September of 1955, he was appointed member of the 'Round table conference' and present at the talks with the British Government discussing Malta's Independence 1,2.
10. Għeluq
10. In Conclusion
Kif rajna, hemm ukoll aspett storiku u dak arkitettoniku f'din it-triq, wirt li ħallewlna s-Slimiza ta' qabilna u li tajjeb li nibżgħu għalih.
Once again, Sliema, through this street offers both historical and architectural characteristics left behind by Sliema residents of the past. These treasures are be well preserved and taken care of.
References
1. Schiavone, M.J.,(2009). Dictionary of Maltese Biographies. PIN. Malta
2. searchmalta.com (2010) Famous Felice [website]available from www.searchmalta.com/surnames/felice/index.shtml [accessed 2nd August 2010]