Ħad-Dingli is a small village at the extreme end of Malta, quite remote from the centre. Some time ago it was considered difficult to travel to other localities of Malta. Even nowadays almost everyone feels the need for his own private means of transport. A glance though the ages, towards the beginning of civilization in Malta, we can notice that Ħad-Dingli had the benefit of being situated near ir-Rabat. In fact, from olden times up to the Middle Ages, the centre of Malta was not il-Belt Valletta (Città Umilissima) but first ir-Rabat and then l-Imdina (Città Notabile).
The Popular Council which governed the Island had its headquarters in ir-Rabat. For many centuries, Ħad-Dingli was part and parcel of the civil administration of both ir-Rabat and l-Imdina (Città Notabile). Ħad-Dingli had the same representatives, the same mayor and the same doctor. It was only with great difficulty that one could find a priest who was willing to accept to live at Ħad-Dingli or at Ħal Tartarni – a place which historical sources have always confirmed had an intimate connection with Ħad-Dingli.