Iklin

About Iklin

The town of Iklin is located in the central region of Malta. Its dimensions are 1 square kilometre and therefor implicates Iklin as a quietly small city for people who are interested in relaxed and quiet living in the countryside just outside the big cities yet close enough to visit. L-Iklin lies at 112 metres above sea level.

Until recently, the town of Iklin was considered to be a part of the Three Villages of Malta as a part of Lija. With the separation of Iklin from Lija however, Iklin no longer forms a part of the three villages.  It is bordered by Gharghur, San Gwann, Birkirkara, Balzan, Lija and Naxxar. Such a divorce from the other localities makes Iklin a unique town. 

The locality of Iklin lies in a rural countryside area close to all amenities yet far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. Iklin is divided into the lower and upper parts, housing modern and traditional homes, prehistoric remains were found closeby while digging foundations.  Old and new co-exist, with characteristic village cores mingling with more modern buildings yet neither style of building looks out of place. The town of L-Iklin is constantly being embellished by the Local Council.

The community in Iklin is developed around the local Parish which still constitutes today the centre of much of the village culture which in turn then culminates in the local village festa.  Villagers, no matter what their standing is in life, eagerly participate in the local village festas in Malta and Iklin is no exception.

History of Iklin

The word L-Iklin is derived from the herb Rosmarinus Officinalis (or Rosemary the herb) which is known as l-Iklin in Maltese. The area was until recently a green area where wild Rosemary grew abundantly and this is where the name Iklin derived from. The valley in which the herb grew has now been built up.

St. Michael Chapel

In the 15th century, a chapel dedicated to St. Michael was built in L-Iklin. However, unfortunately, when Pietro Dusina visited the chapel during his Apostolic Visit of 1575, he described it as being in a poor state.  The chapel was rebuilt in 1615 by Gilormu Agius.  It is open once a year for the feast of St. Michael (San Mikiel Arkanilu) whose feast is celebrated on the Sunday prior to the 29th September.  There is always a spectacular fireworks display on the occasion of this feast set off by the Lija Fireworks Team who work year round to construct the pyrotechnics and who are renowned in Malta for their special skills.

Iklin first residence

The first residence was built in Iklin in 1954 and was called Dar il-Lewza.  It suffered severe structural impact as was outlined in 2012 and it was demolished in 2018.  For some years, this was the only building in the area until a number of villas were constructed in the 1960s and early 1970s and therefore the area developed rapidly between the late 1970s and the 1980s and gradually the area became more populated.  Later on a number of commercial outlets emerged in the area and in 2005 L-Iklin became an independent Parish.   A new parish church named the Holy Family was built for this purpose.  L-Iklin has had a local council since 1994.

What to do and see in Iklin?

Although the locality of Iklin was established in the mid-20th century, some archaeological sites and a medieval chapel are proof to earlier settlements.  There is a pre-historic temple in the Ta’ Raddiena area.  This megalithic site which could have been the remains of a temple, was discovered by a group of young teenagers from St. Aloysius College in 1967.  These youngsters formed part of the Din L-Art Helwa group. Unfortunately this site was never seriously surveyed or studied.

Iklin Megalithic site

In 1986 a second megalithic site was studied during works on the new B’Kara By-Pass. Two large megaliths as well as a few smaller ones are still visible on this busy road.  Unfortunately they are often ignored.  Through pottery sherds found during the excavation, the ruins were dated to the Bronze Age.

Iklin Roman Villa

In 1975, the foundations of a Roman Villa were excavated during construction works.  This site was an important site with historic importance but it was destroyed soon after the excavations when the development for housing estates proceeded.

Iklin property types

In lower locality of Iklin houses are built side by side, mainly villas and maisonettes and recently some apartments. This is the more affordable part of the town. In upper Iklin the land is on a hill close to Naxxar and considered to be more expensive. Generally, the properties there are made up of villas and farmhouses. The two parts share two common factors: the neighbourhood’s structural design and the general silent living areas. Learn more about the different Malta properties for sale or rent across the regions in Malta. 

Iklin Culture

With such a rich history and culture in Malta every town and village is unique and has its own story to tell.  Even within the town of L-Iklin which is divided into the lower and upper parts, housing modern and traditional homes, prehistoric remains were found closeby while digging foundations.  Old and new co-exist, with characteristic village cores mingling with more modern buildings yet neither style of building looks out of place.  The town of L-Iklin is constantly being embellished by the Local Council.

The community is developed around the local Parish which still constitutes today the centre of much of the village culture which in turn then culminates in the local village festa.  Villagers, no matter what their standing is in life, eagerly participate in the local village festas in Malta and Iklin is no exception.

Property in Iklin

L-Iklin is mainly an upmarket residential area with villas dotting this small village.  The lower part of the village has largely townhouses, villas, maisonettes and apartments.  Here the property is more affordable and also not as large as the villas and farmhouses on the hill.  The villas on the hill are secluded and detached and they also afford more luxury than the properties in the village.  Many of the villas on the hill have their own grounds and swimming pools.  Iklin is a diverse village in every way.  Here you can find something for everybody because Iklin offers a hybrid variety of properties on real estate lists.  There are luxurious properties to be had here whether they are modern day apartments and penthouses or else exclusive luxury villas or bungalows. L-Iklin is the ideal place for families, retired people or young people looking to buy their first home as it offers safety and serenity and one can chose from a myriad of different forms of properties according to ones needs and budget.