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Malta

Wied il-Ghasri

By Culture, Gozo, Malta, Tourism

Welcome to Ghasri Valley also known as Wied il-Gharsi, inlet down the hill from Zebbug. Wied il-Ghasri is a secluded bay with a tiny pebbly beach wedged between high cliffs. The view of the valley from the top of the cliffs is stunning.There are about 100+ steps to reach the small pebble beach. Just be there earlier in the morning before it gets busy with people and divers.

Wardija Nymphaeum

By Culture, Gozo, Malta, Tourism

An artificial cave in an upper cliff on the Ras il-Wardija, the extreme south-west corner of the island, was cut in Phoenician times as a religious sanctuary and dug by an Italian team in the 1960s. The attribution to the nymphs is an improbable one, but the site is certainly in a very dramatic natural position.

This historical site is situated on private land and contact should be made with the owners prior to visiting, using e-mail address l.spiteri24@gmail.com.

Salt Pans, Qbajjar Bay

By Culture, Gozo, Malta, Tourism

On the north coast of Gozo, just past Qbajjar Bay west of Marsalforn, the coast is characterised by a chequerboard of rock-cut saltpans protruding into the sea. These 350-year-old salt pans, which stretch about 3km along the coast, are more than just scenic. They are part of the centuries-old Gozitan tradition of Sea-Salt production that has been passed down within certain families for many generations. During the summer months, locals can still be seen scraping up the crystals of salt. Once collected, the salt is stored and processed in the caves that have been carved into the coastal rock.

Accessible for persons with a disability.

Tas-Salvatur Hill

By Culture, Gozo, Malta, Tourism

This hill can be seen from much of Gozo, topped with a statue of the Risen Christ. This statue was placed here in the 1970s and sits 320-foot on the top of Tal-Merżuq Hill (now popularly know as Tas-Salvator – The Redeemer). This is a place of popular religious myth and legend.

According to tradition, black smoke was once been seen coming out of the hill and this led to the belief that it was a volcano. Some still believe this although geologists dismiss the idea as nonsense.

Another legend says that God punished the people of Gozo by engulfing the Island in darkness for three whole days. At the end of these three days a ray of light (merżuq) was seen coming out of the hill (hence the name Tal-Merżuq).

A statue of Christ was first put on the hill in 1904 when Gozo was consecrated to Jesus the Redeemer (leading to the popular name Tas-Salvatur) . It replaced a wooden cross that had been erected even earlier. The first statue of Christ was not resistant to the elements, however, and had to be replaced in the 1960s. The second statue was also destroyed – this time when its supporting pedestal gave way during a thunderstorm. Parts of this statue can still be seen strewn around the hilltop. Today’s statue is made of reinforced concrete and is so far surviving well!

Ta’ Kenuna Tower

By Culture, Gozo, Malta, Tourism

This semaphore (sign) tower built by the British in 1848 on the hill of in-Nadur is 130 metres above sea level, its purpose was to pass on signals to ships and other posts via a telegraphy link between Gozo and Malta. The tower was restored in 2005 and a beacon to warn ships of their proximity to land was installed on the roof, along with a number of communication antennae. You can ask permission from the tower’s watchman to go up to the covered roof for a panoramic view of Gozo, Comino and Malta.

The small attractive botanical garden that surrounds the tower contains a number of plants native to the Maltese Islands.

Accessible for persons with a disability.

Fort Chambray, Mgarr

By Culture, Gozo, Malta, Tourism

Fort Chambray or Fort Chambrai (Maltese: Forti Xambrè) is a bastioned fort located in the precincts of Għajnsielem, on the island of Gozo, Malta. It was built in the mid-18th century by the Order of Saint John, in an area known as Ras it-Tafal, between the port of Mġarr and Xatt l-Aħmar. The fort was meant to be the citadel of a new city which was to replace the Cittadella as the island’s capital, but this plan never materialized.

The fort saw use during the French invasion of Malta in 1798, and it was subsequently used as a military hospital and mental institution. The fort is currently being restored and redeveloped as a luxury accommodation.

Ta’ Kola Windmill

By Culture, Gozo, Malta, Tourism

Ta’ Kola Windmill in ix-Xagħra, Gozo, is one of the few surviving windmills on the Maltese Islands dating back to the Knights’ Period. Its origins go back to 1725 but it seems to have been built of poor quality stone and mortar and had to be reconstructed in the 1780s. The windmill’s name Ta’ Kola comes from the last miller, who was popularly known as Żeppu ta’ Kola (Joseph, son of Nikola).

When the wind was right for the mill to operate, the miller would blow through a triton-shell (Maltese bronja) to let everynoe know and villagers would bring their grain to be ground into flour. The heavy millstones can still be seen at the top of the mill linked to the central milling mechanism, around which, are the rooms where the miller lived and worked.

On the ground floor is the workshop with a vast array of historic tools, some of which were manufactured by the owners of the mill. On the first floor, the living quarters of the miller and his family, have been recreated using traditional furniture and Gozitan crafts. You can visit the miller’s dining room, bedrooms, and kitchen which is equipped with traditional utensils and cooking ware rarely seen today.

THE AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIAL SHOW

By Event, Gozo, Malta

The Agriculture and Industrial Show (known also as Il-Wirja ta’ Santa Marija) has been organized by the Gozo Agricultural, Industrial and Cultural Society since 1855. Held annually on the 14th and 15th of August, it is a showcase for local crafts, agricultural products and live animals. It is held in the Villa Rundle public gardens in Ir-Rabat , which has recently undergone extensive refurbishment.

The show, visited each year by over 10,000 people enjoying more than 4000 exhibits, also has a competitive element. Trophies and cash prizes are awarded by expert judges in 13 categories ranging from animals (including horses, goats, cows, sheep and dogs), to food products and artisan crafts which the show helps to keep alive. The awards ceremony is held on  15th August in the presence of His Excellency The President of Malta.

VICTORIA AND IS CITADEL

By Culture, Malta, Uncategorized

The must-see place to see in Victoria is its citadel. True fortified city, completely renovated recently, it dominates the city and offers a 360 ° panorama over the surrounding countryside, villages and Malta just opposite. The view from the ramparts is definitely worth the detour!The entrance to the citadel itself is free, and you can browse its narrow streets in peace. You can also visit the Baroque Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption.

Inside the citadel, you will find several museums that are paying:

The Cathedral Museum presents a collection of objects used by the church such as crucifixes or chalices
The archeology museum traces the history of ancient civilizations until the arrival of Knights of the Order
The folklore museum that illustrates the local way of life
The Gozo Natural History Museum will teach you more about the island’s fauna and flora
The old prison where you can see the cells

GGANTIJA TEMPLES

By Culture, Ggantija, Gozo, Malta, Temples

The megalithic complex of the Ggantija Temples is located in the city of Xaghra, east of Victoria. Older than the Egyptian pyramids and the famous stones of Stonehenge, they are classified as World Heritage by Unesco.

The site is composed of 2 temples: that of the South and that of the North. The two form a vast ensemble of more than 40 meters long and 6 meters high. It is the largest megalithic complex you can admire on Malta.

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