Luqa

Luqa
Ħal Luqa
Casal Luca
Clockwise from top left:Tower of the Parish Church of St Andrew, Dejma Cross, Neo-Baroque building, Tal-Ftajjar Chapel, and former British military building
Coordinates: 35°51′35″N 14°29′21″E / 35.85972°N 14.48917°E / 35.85972; 14.48917
Country Malta
RegionSouthern Region
DistrictSouthern Harbour District
BordersBirzebbuga, Għaxaq, Gudja, Kirkop, Marsa, Mqabba, Paola, Qormi, Safi, Santa Luċija, Siġġiewi, Tarxien, Zurrieq
Government
  MayorJohn Schembri (PL)
Area
  Total
6.7 km2 (2.6 sq mi)
Population
 (Jan. 2019)
  Total
6,162
  Density920/km2 (2,400/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Ħalluqi (m), Ħalluqija (f), Ħalluqin (pl)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
LQA
Dialing code356
ISO 3166 codeMT-25
Patron saintSt. Andrew
Day of festaFirst Sunday of July (main feast)
30 November (liturgical feast)
Websitewww.luqalocalcouncil.com

Luqa (Maltese: Ħal Luqa [ħɐl ˈluːʔɐ], lit.'poplar') is a town located in the Southern Region of Malta, 4.3 km away from the capital Valletta. With a population of 5,945 as of March 2014, it is a small but densely populated settlement which is typical of Malta's older towns and villages. Luqa is centered around a main square which contains a church dedicated to St. Andrew. The patron saint's traditional feast is celebrated on the first Sunday of July, with the liturgical feast being celebrated on 30 November. The Malta International Airport is located in Luqa.

Notable residents of the town included Michelangelo Sapiano (1826–1912), a well-known clockmaker and inventor whose work includes the clock in the parish church's belfry. The house where he lived is located on Pawlu Magri Street.