Madliena (Maltese:Il-Madliena), formerly speltMadalena, is an area inSwieqi, inNorthern Region,Malta, formerly part of the adjacent town ofGħargħur.
It takes its name from a chapel dedicated to St.Mary Magdalene, which was built in the area in 1490.
Madliena was known asĦal Samudi in medieval times, and was named as such together with Għargħur in documents of the time.
The chapel was used as a watch post byMaltese insurgents during theFrench blockade of 1798–1800. It was demolished by the British military in 1880 to make way forFort Madalena, one of the forts of theVictoria Lines. A new chapel was built nearby to replace the one demolished.[1]
A 17th-century tower known as theMadliena Tower is located on the coastline close to Madliena, although it falls within the limits ofPembroke not Swieqi.[2]
While up to the 1960s it was mainly a rural area home to a number of farms, nowadays Madliena is a residential area, and it is home to many villas, bungalows, luxury flats and maisonettes. It is close to Malta's main entertainment district ofSt. Julian's andValletta, the capital city of Malta.[3]
The red letter "M" on the coat of arms of Swieqi represents Madliena.[4]
35°55′15″N14°28′48″E / 35.92083°N 14.48000°E /35.92083; 14.48000
