Mellieħa, a large village in the northern region of the country has a population of over 10,000. The village was first inhabited around 3000BC, during the Neolithic period and several megalithic remains have been found since. These include the temple of Għajn Żejtuna, as well as several caves and tombs.

According to the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul was shipwrecked in Malta, around 60AD, in the nearby village of St. Paul’s Bay. According to local tradition, St. Luke, who was accompanying St. Paul, came across one of Mellieħa’s caves. He proceeded to paint the figure of Our Lady on the rock face.

In 409AD, the cave was consecrated as a church and today, is known as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa. During the early years of Hospitaller rule in Malta, Mellieħa remained largely abandoned.

Malta’s northern coast was fortified during the early 17^th century. In fact, the first fortification to be built in Mellieħa was St. Agatha’s Tower, completed in 1649. Built on Marfa Ridge and overlooking Mellieħa bay, the tower also offers views of Comino and Gozo. The smaller Għajn Ħadid Tower and Armier Tower were built in 1658.

Several coastal batteries, redoubts and entrenchments were built in the village during the 18^th century. Several of these are still standing today, including Mistra Battery and the Wied Musa Battery.

The village of Mellieħa, as we know it today, developed while under British rule. It became a parish once again in 1844, and the British encouraged people to settle in the area, by giving out leases. The parish church was built in stages, between 1883 and 1930 and it is said that locals helped in its construction.

Just before World War I, Fort Campbell was built in Selmun, while Mellieħa Fort was built on top of a hill as a lookout post. The British proceeded to build a number of pillboxes around the coastline, for defensive purposes.

In addition to its long and fruitful history, Mellieħa also features several bays and beaches, such as Għadira and Golden Bay.