Bugibba, Aura and St. Paul's Bay are a conglomeration of seaside towns in the northeast of Malta. In St. Petersburg (a funny abbreviation for the Russian ear, is not it?) For the most part live Maltese, and in Bugibba and Aure, the suburbs of St. Petersburg, - tourists and locals who have summer apartments (analogous to summer cottages).

St. Paul's Bay is translated as "St. Paul. " It was here that the vessel, carried by the saint, was shipwrecked. Paul to Rome at the trial. In Malta, they like to refer to an excerpt from the Acts of the Apostles, which confirms this version. The population of St. Petersburg is approx. 13 500 people.

City History

Appearance is often deceptive: Saint Paul's Bay only looks young, but in fact the area where it is located has been habitable since the Neolithic times (the ruins of megalithic temples have been preserved) .In the Bronze Age here stood fortified villages .To the shore in the bay of Sv .Paul was easy to harass, and therefore it was popular with Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans (preserved fragments of anchors, pottery clay pots and t .n .) To the same shore molested by the Arabs to seize Malta for 300 years .Knights-Ioannites strengthened this part of the island by building watchtowers, batteries, land mines, redoubts .However, this did not save them from the invasion of Napoleon's detachments that landed in the north of Malta and damaged several chapels in the district (in one of them they cut livestock, for example).The British, who came to replace the French, began to build residences and villas here .During the Second World War the coast turned into one big rehabilitation center .Nowadays St. Paul's Bay and especially its suburbs - Bugibba and Aura - the largest resort area in Malta .Many Maltese have here summer apartments, which are often willing to give tourists .Ill-fated couples buy their first home here $ .There are also many hotels that are cheaper than the ones in Sliema and St. Julian's, there are also apartments, there are also English schools .

Surroundings

SPB is one of the largest areas (locality) in Malta. In its composition, such as Qawra, Buġibba and St. Paul's Bay, and less tourist Bydonia - part (Bidnija), Burmarrad (Burmarrad), San Martín (San Martin), Vardia (Wardija), Shemshia (Xemxija).

The main attractions of Bugibba, Aura and St. Paul's Bay

Fortification

• The Wignacourt Tower. Located in St. Petersburg. It was built on the orders of the Grand Master of the Order of the Viennese Viennakura Johannits in the 17th century. This is the first of the coastal towers of Malta. It was restored by the non-profit organization for the protection of historical monuments Din l-Art Ħelwa. Open from Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 13.00 and on the first Sunday of the month. Closed on Tuesdays.

• The watchtower Ta 'Fra Ben (17th century) is located in Aura. It was built during the reign of the Grand Master of the Lausaris Ioannite Order.
• Coast battery Arrias (Arrias Battery) (18 century.). Now it houses a fish farm.
• Fugas (18 century.) Located in Salina.

Palaces and villas

• Palace of Pescatore (Palazzo Pescatore) (2nd half of the 19th century)

Natural attractions

• The bird sanctuary of Simar (Simar Nature Reserve / Bird sanctuary). It is in Shemshy. It's a swamp, which in itself is a rare eco-system in Malta. In 1995, its territory was officially recognized as a protected area. Here migratory birds (ducks, herons, etc., more than 120 species) arrive. Basically they stay here for a short rest, however some even build nests.

• "The Path of History" in Xemxija Heritage trail. This is a rather curious and easy route for a walk, during which you can get acquainted with the unobtrusive, but from this no less interesting sights of the north of Malta - the ancient apiary, Punic graves, the once inhabited cave, etc.

Other sights

• Salt pans. They were built in the 16th century. on the orders of the Grand Master of the Order of the Johannites la Valletta. Are located in Salina (Salina, Qawra).
• Megalithic temple (on the territory of the hotel New Dolmen). 3000 - 2500 BC. e. Located in Aura.
• The ruins of a Roman villa next to the chapel of St. Paul Mil'i. Located in Burmarrad.
• Fountain Ain Razul (Għajn Rażul fountain) Located in St. Petersburg. According to legend, in this place, St.. Pavel struck the stone, and a spring was blown out of it.

Churches and Chapels

• Parish Church of Our Lady of Sorrows parish church (built in the 20th century, given to the Franciscans). Located in St. Petersburg. Sunday Masses are conducted in English (beginning at 11:00 am)
• Church / Sanctuary of St. St. Paul tal-Ħġejjeġ church / sanctuary (built in the 17th century, destroyed in the Second World War, rebuilt in 1957). Pavel and his comrades allegedly set up a fire. Located in St. Petersburg.
• The Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel church (19th century) Located in St. Petersburg.
• The Immaculate Conception church (16th century) is located in St. Petersburg.
• Parish Church of Sts. Francis of Assisi (St. Francis of Assisi parish church) (built in the late 20th century, given to the Franciscans). It is located in Aura. Sunday Masses are conducted in English (beginning at 11:00 am)
• Church of St. Massimiliano Kolbe (Church dedicated to St Massimiliano Kolbe) (built at the end of the 20th century). Located in Aura.
• Chapel of St. St. Paul Milqi Chapel (17 century.) Located in Burmarrad. Allegedly in this place was the house of Publius, the ruler of Malta, whom St. Paul converted to Christianity.

• Church of St. Margarita (St. Margaret church) (17th c.) Located in Burmarrad.
• The parish church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (built in the late 20th century, given to the Franciscans). Located in Burmarrad.
• Chapel of St. Simeon (St. Simon chapel) (19th century) Located in Vardia.
• Chapel of Our Lady of Grace chapel (19th century) Located in Vardia.
• Chapel of St. George (St. George chapel) (17th c.) Located in Vardia.
• Chapel of St. St. John the Baptist chapel (formerly the 17th century) Located in Vardia.
• Chapel of Our Lady of Abandoned Souls chapel (17th century) Located in Vardia.
• Chapel of St. Anne (St. Anne chapel) (17th c.) Located in Pwales, St. Paul's Bay.
• Chapel of St. Joseph the Worker chapel (20 century.) Located in Shemshy.

Festivals

• Theotokos of the Immaculate Heart (Burmarrad) - last week of June
• The Theotokos the Grieving (St. Petersburg) - the third week of July
• St. Francis of Assisi - the second week of September

Practical information

Hotels in Bugibba, Aura and Saint Paul's Bay

The conglomerate of the cities of BAS is the second largest resort area of ​​Malta (after Sliema and St. Julian's). Hotels here are simpler, and there is enough apartments for rent.

• 4 * hotels: Canifor Hotel, Club Riza Aparthotel, Club Salina Wharf, Dolmen Resort Hotel, Gillieru Harbor Hotel, Hotel Santana, San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Soreda Hotel, Suncrest Hotel, Sunny Coast Resort Club, Topaz Hotel

• 3 * hotels: Bugibba Holiday Complex, Clover Holiday Complex, Mavina Holiday Complex, Palm Court Hotel, Primera Hotel, San Pawl Hotel, Sunflower Hotel

• Bed & Breakfast: Winston Aparthotel

(Classification and data taken from the website of the Malta Association of Hotel and Restaurant Owners)

How to get

Buses No. 48, 49, 51, 70, 86, 157, 427, 449, the car.

Cuisine and restaurants of Bugibba, Aura and St. Paul's Bay

Cafes, restaurants, pizzerias, bars are located both along the promenade, and in the depths of cities. Description of some restaurants can be found on Webstorma's resource, and you can read reviews about some of them in the LJ-Community dedicated to Maltese restaurants.

• Category 1 establishments: Delphi Brasserie, Ristorante Michelangelo, Gillieru Restaurant

• Category 2 Restaurants: Batubulan Restaurant, Bonaparte Restaurant, Café Delos, Costa Restaurant, La Mentha Restaurant, La Sibylle Restaurant, Le Pavillion Restaurant, Moire 'Restaurant, Tal-Kaptan Pizzeria, The Menhir Restaurant, The Owl & The Pussycat, Village Square Restaurant , Vintage Wine Bar

• Category 3 Restaurants: All Saints Restaurant, Angelo II Restaurant, Chez Gaetano Restaurant, David's Tavern, Fisherman's Cave Restaurant, Geranium Restaurant, Sans Souci Restaurant, Solair Bar & Restaurant, Ta 'Cassia Restaurant, Watercolors Restaurant, We 5 Bar & Restaurant, Woodhut Restaurant

• Snack 2 categories: Pizza Hut (Bugibba)

(Classification and data taken from the website of the Malta Association of Hotel and Restaurant Owners)

Shopping: Stores

Local residents go to shops in the depths of the city, and not on the promenade - the traditional "tourist" zone. At the entrance to St. Paul's Bay there is a supermarket Piscopo Cash & Carry, as well as smaller grocery and green shops, as well as a fish store.

Where to buy everything else?

In the shops on the boardwalk.

Branch offices

• HSBC (bank branch, ATM, automatic currency exchange and deposit taking) are located at Misrah il-Bajja, Bugibba. Opening hours: Mon - Thurs from 08:30 to 13:30, Fri 08:30 to 16:30, Sat from 08:30 to 12: 30

HSBC (bank branch, ATM) are located on St. Paul Street, St. Paul's Bay. Opening hours: Mon - Thurs from 08:30 to 13:30, Fri 08:30 to 16:30, Sat from 08:30 to 12: 30

• HSBC ATMs are also located in Oracle Casino (Bugibba), Dawret Il-Qawra, (St. Princess Bay).

• Bank of Valletta (BOV) (bank branch and ATM) are at 15, Islet Promenade (+ currency exchange office) and 85, St. Petersburg. Paul's Street, St. Paul's Bay. Opening hours: Mon - Thu from 08:30 to 14:00, Fri from 08:30 to 15:30, Sat from 08:30 to 12: 30

• BOV ATMs are also on / in Coral Reef Restaurant and Horatio Nelson Street (Aura).

The beaches of Bugibba, Aura and St. Paul's Bay

Perched Beach, bathing areas along the promenade from Aura to St. Paul's Bay.

Photos of Bugibba - Auras - St. Paul's Bay (7)