Gozo Attractions
It is well worth while making the trip to the smaller island of Gozo (ferry from Marfa, 20 minutes), the history of which is bound up with that of the main island.
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Calypso's Cave
This is said to be the cave described in Homer's Odyssey, into which Calypso enticed Odysseus. It is set on a craggy bluff, with a panorama of the Mediterranean, the fertile Ramla Valley and red sandy beach of Ramla below. Still, the cave is no more than a cramped hollow caused by a rock slide in the Xaghra cliffs.
Ghammar - Way of the Cross
In the groves of Ghammar hill, overlooking Ta'Pinu, is a Way of the Cross, with 12 life-size marble statues.
Gozo Carnival
The Gozo Carnival, held over three days every February (a few days after the Valletta Carnival), hails the end of winter and the coming of summer. Adults and children run amok in fancy dress among carnival floats.
Kercem, Malta
This village lies southwest of Victoria. Here is the Chapel of the Annunciation (half in a cave and still in use), dating from 1347. Most of the present structure dates from the early 17th C.
Marsalforn, Malta
This old fishing community has evolved into Gozo's main summer destination, overrun with cafes and shops. There is a diving center as well as free diving along the coast.
In the tiny harbor, Il Mengq, there are fishermen usually willing to take visitors fishing.
In the tiny harbor, Il Mengq, there are fishermen usually willing to take visitors fishing.
Mgarr - Gozo Heritage
This is an excellent thematic presentation (in five languages) of Gozitan history. The tour starts with Neolithic man and wanders through more than 5,000 years of local history, aided by cleverly designed audio-visual techniques and static sets on themes including the legend of Calypso, the Romans, Dragut Rais, World War II and a contemporary harbor scene are all worth seeing.
Nadur, Malta
From Nadur (look-out point) the knights were able to keep vigil over the Malta-Gozo channel at all times. The village, with its imposing houses, is the largest and wealthiest of Gozo's settlements after Victoria.
Side by side and to the north of Nadur lie three good bays: Ramla, San Blas and Dahlet Qorrot. The most accessible and best for children is Ramla, with its wide red-sand beach, but the most rewarding swimming is off the rocks of San Blass, a miniature fjord at Wied Ghasri.
Side by side and to the north of Nadur lie three good bays: Ramla, San Blas and Dahlet Qorrot. The most accessible and best for children is Ramla, with its wide red-sand beach, but the most rewarding swimming is off the rocks of San Blass, a miniature fjord at Wied Ghasri.
Sts Peter and Paul Church
The interior is splendidly ornate with extravagant marble inlaid floors, walls and pillars. Around the turn of the century, the Maltese painter Lazzaro Pisani painted 150 canvases to be attached to the vaulted ceiling; the images and the stories told are the liveliest of many such ecclesiastical works on the islands.
In the right-hand aisle is a twinned processional statue of the saints, made in 1881 in Marseille. Also on the right, in the transept is the macabre skeleton of St Coronatus, brought here intact along with a cup of his blood soon after he was martyred in A.D. 100. His skeleton is now clothed.
(Gozo)
This church was begun in 1760 and designed by Guiseppe Bonnici. The wide robust and symmetrical building took 20 years to complete. The facade, and the dome with stained-glass windows were added in the mid-19th C.The interior is splendidly ornate with extravagant marble inlaid floors, walls and pillars. Around the turn of the century, the Maltese painter Lazzaro Pisani painted 150 canvases to be attached to the vaulted ceiling; the images and the stories told are the liveliest of many such ecclesiastical works on the islands.
In the right-hand aisle is a twinned processional statue of the saints, made in 1881 in Marseille. Also on the right, in the transept is the macabre skeleton of St Coronatus, brought here intact along with a cup of his blood soon after he was martyred in A.D. 100. His skeleton is now clothed.
Place of Giants
At Xaghra is the most impressive Neolithic temple in the whole of the Maltese Archipelago, known as the Ggantija (Place of Giants) from the massiveness of the stones used in its construction. It dates from about 3,600 B.C.
Qala, Malta
There is not much going on here, the most eastern settlement on Gozo. There are, however, good places to swim nearby. The clear and sheltered waters off Qala Point, with its lone and now crumbling redoubt, are tantalizingly visible from Comino's northern headland. But it is hard to reach. There is a rudimentary footpath in an old quarry area, which peters out into a scramble ending west of the rock Gebel tal-Halfa, but it is an infinitely easier journey by boat.
The swimming and snorkeling in the inlets are superb.
The swimming and snorkeling in the inlets are superb.
San Dimitri
This is known as the loneliest chapel in Gozo. The beauty of the little square building lies in its windswept location. The front door is always open. Behind the security bars is the altarpiece of San Dimitri on his white steed.
San Lawrenz, Malta
This is the westernmost settlement on Gozo, where late author Nicholas Monsarrat once lived. It is the only village to take its name from its patron saint (whose emblem is a palm frond on a gridiron - St Lawrence was burned in A.D. 258).
Ta'Dbiegi Crafts Village
The Ta'Dbiegi Crafts Village, between Gharb and St Lawrenz, is the only crafts center on Gozo. There you can watch local craftsmen working on their skills and purchase souvenirs.
Facilities
Gift shop
Xlendi
The old fishing village of Xlendi was Gozo's most beguiling spot, but has now been overrun by tourism and development.
The attractions here cater to divers and swimmers. There is a good beach and natural coves for divers, as well as a diving school.
The Mgarr ix-Xini Tower was built here in 1658.
The attractions here cater to divers and swimmers. There is a good beach and natural coves for divers, as well as a diving school.
The Mgarr ix-Xini Tower was built here in 1658.
Zebbug, Malta
This is one of the highest of the villages straddling the spine of a ridge. It is known as Gozo's windy city. The main attraction is the 18th century Parish Church of the Assumption.
