Economy of San Gwann

The relative calm of the nineteenth century allowed the community living at the Gharghar locality to augment itself. The area was little affected by the Second World War, though Torri Lanzun served as an observation post for advancing planes and was damaged during enemy action. The locality featured however in the plans of the British Colonial Office in its overall defence scheme covering the possible eventuality of a possible nuclear attack engendered by the World politics post-War period. The Colonial Office established the Civil Defence Corps in 1950 and, to ensure an adequate grain supply in the advent of hostilities, initiated the building of eight underground flour mills in Malta and Gozo. One such mill with a silo storage capacity of some 1000 tons of wheat is located behind the San Ġwann State Primary School.

The mentioned Torri Lanzun is now the seat of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. San Ġwann also hosts the Chancery of the Grand Priory of the Mediterranean of the Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem.