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The population of Gozo mostly engaged in agriculture, fishing and
tourism and many of the Island’s women sit by their houses making
lace, the speed of the bobbins almost too fast for the eye.
This is the legendary island of the goddess Calypso who is said to have
lured Ulysses to stay for seven years. It would be just as easy for you
to spend as many years on this enchanting island.
The capital Victoria known locally as Rabat
lies in the centre of Gozo and is dominated by its ancient Citadel
fortification, once the refuge for the inhabitants when Moslem
pirates regularly raided the island. Within the Citadel
fortification you will find Gozo fine Santa
Marija Cathedral with its magnificently painted ceiling. In the
museums nearby are exhibited archaeological remains, pottery and primitive
farming implements recovered from a number of sites on the Island. Today
the Citadel fortification is silent and
mysterious.
A marked difference from Malta is Gozo’s attractive 3 hills which
spring up out of the fertile countryside and end in flat limestone tablelands
which are now transformed into the village of Xaghra,
Nadur and Zebbug.
There are also flat top hills on the island which are Ghammar
hill, Gelmus hill and Ta`
Dbiegi hill which these are uninhabited.
But the Island’s charms go beyond that Gozo offers picturesque fishing
villages, secluded bays and dramatic scenery that is a paradise for every
camera enthusiast. It is also renowned for its lace, its winding lanes
behind Saint Georges basilica, stone carved
balconies, its folklore and numerous summer feasts with horse racing in
the streets and coulourful fireworks. No one should go to Gozo and fail
to visit the world famous Ggantija Temples
in the village of Xaghra which is the work
of Neolithic man. Also in this village its worth to visit the Stalactite
and stalagmite caves, Ta Kola windmill and the
Old Toys museum.
But within the Island’s small area of 67 square km there are many
sites and scenes to attract the visitor such as San
Dimitri Point and Chapel, Ghasri Valley, Xwejni Saltpans.
On the West side of the island there are many places to explore where
the most flocked area is Ta Pinu Basilica
as its visited by many locals and tourists who need a grace from the Lady
of Ta Pinu, facing Ta Pinu Basilica there
is Ghammar hill which got 14 statues of
the holy stations of the rosary and at the top of this hill there is an
open air church in the form of a Greek Amphitheatre. From up there you
can see Tal-Gordan lighthouse and Gozo at
360 degrees. There is the curiously beautiful Inland
Sea with its pebbly crystal clear waters; the huge Azure
Window naturally cut in the towering cliffs overlooking the sea.
On the side of the Azure Window there is
the Fungus Rock and the Dwejra
Tower which are of great interest also. On the way to the Azure
Window there is Ta Dbiegi crafts village
and Gozo Glass workshop where from here
you can buy your souvenirs to take back home. On the North side of the
island you will find a sandy beach known as Ramla
il-Hamra where in the same area there is the Cave
of Calypso; apart from this lovely beach there are others to visit
which are San Blas Bay, Dahlet
Qorrot Bay, Hondoq ir-Rummien Bay
and Xatt l-Ahmar which are good from swimming
snorkeling and scuba diving. The seaside resorts that we got on the island
are Marsalforn Bay and
Xlendi Bay. On the way to Marsalforn bay
you will see a volcano like hill which is called Salvatur
hill as locals placed a stone statue of Christ the Saviour on a
wooden cross above the hill to bless the island not to erupt. At
Marsalforn bay you will find plenty of restaurants and saltpans.
Xlendi Bay is picturesque for the Karolina
Cave where it used to be privately owned by the Dominican sisters
as they used to swim and relax there but nowadays it is open for the public
to explore up the winding stairs and see most of Xlendi
bay and Xlendi Tower.
Xlendi bay is mostly known for its restaurants, scuba diving schools,
Fontana knights wash houses and discos. On the way to the Mgarr
harbour which is the only harbour on Gozo to dock yachts and ships
you will pass by the Xewkija Dome, Ghajn
Sielem gothic church and Fort Chambray.
Another village which is worth to visit before visiting the Mgarr harbour
for restaurants is Sannat as there are cart ruts, cliffs and Mgarr
ix-Xini bay.
While on Gozo the visitor should certainly try the local dish of the rabbit
cooked in wine, and of course try out the mouth watering fresh fish. The
local wines and local beer are also good to try out to have a complete
meal. One should also try the peppered cheeselets the juicy prickly pears.
There are many restaurants on Gozo to taste many other different local
dishes.
Swimming, sailing, windsurfing and scuba diving are the natural activities
for summer but visitors who come at other times of the year will find
that Gozo provide some of the finest walks through peaceful and unusual
scenery to be found anywhere in the archipelago, especially in spring
when the Island is a riot of wild flowers.
Whatever the visitor does in Gozo, whether he goes sightseeing or enjoys
sport, he will certainly have the opportunity to meet the local people
most of whom speak English. We are very hospitable and friendly and will
always go out of their way to share with you the peace and beauty of the
island home.
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