Bubaqra

Bubaqra is a hamlet with its own administrative division in Żurrieq, Malta. It is a small rural village between Nigret and Ħal Far. It has a population of 2,000 people. At the centre of the zone is the St Mary's Church.
Overview.
The area was mentioned by Giovanni Francesco Abela in 1647 as "Dejr el Bakar" meaning "house (territory) of the cows". Also known as "Bvbakra" (Bubaqra) literally meaning "father of the cows". According to Godfrey Wittinger, Bakar may be a direct reference to god that wakes the villagers, or a reference to a cowman who gives milk from his cows - which in the first case would origin from the Arab period, while the second case origins from the Siculo-Arabic influence or Italian from the word Vaccaro.
In 1579, the Bubaqra Tower was built on the outskirts of this zone. It was built as a country retreat by a member of the Order of St. John, and was used for defensive purposes at some points. The tower is currently privately owned, and it has been restored.