Church squares in Malta's historical rural settlements

Abstract

Squares have played an important part in civic life starting from the agora of Greek towns to the “green” or “common” of New England villages; from the small public square to the monumental plaza of a metropolis. The square, as the heart of the city, has always been a basic factor in city planning. Together with the church it provided the hub of the town centre and was the scene of informal contacts. Life in the Maltese villages had colour, a colour visible to all the people. The church provided pageantry and gave drama to the life of every man. It was an institution in which all could participate, giving inspiration and adding an aesthetic dimension to the lives of the villagers. Psychologically it uplifted people above baseness and encouraged better deeds. The sense of participation produced a picturesque atmosphere in life reflected in the picturesqueness of the village fabric.