alkara, meaning lime-kiln, was originally a fishing village. Located at the head of the creek that bears its name, it officially became a parish in 1898 and is therefore the youngest, even if geographically the largest, of Cottonera’s towns. For centuries Kalkara served as a small hub of international sea trading, including the lucrative slave market. In 1784 the Leghorn Fund for the Redemption of Captive Jews, established to ransom Hebrew slaves, set up the Kalkara Jewish Cemetery. This is the earliest surviving formal Jewish burial ground in Malta.

Kalkara has its own share of fortifications, historical sites, and war experiences. Some 477 foreign servicemen who served during World War I and another 719 from World War II were laid to rest at the Wied Għammieq and Kalkara Naval (Commonwealth) Cemeteries.

Today Kalkara has branched out from its traditional fishing and maritime activities and an industrial estate can be found at Ricasoli. Kalkara’s population is mostly made up of migrants from the rest of Cottonera and today stands at around 3000. However above all, Kalkara retains a balanced mix of urban and rural life at the centre of Cottonera.