Gozo |
Attractions
Caves of Xaghra
The alabaster caves at Xaghra feature stalactites and stalagmites, and have an important place in Greek mythology, particularly the Calypso Cave, overlooking the red sand of Gozo's best beach, Ramla Ihamra. Calypso cave is believed to be the one referred to in Homer's Odyssey as being where the beautiful nymph Calypso kept Odysseus as a 'prisoner of love' for seven years. Two other caves at Xaghra are Xerri's Grotto and Ninu's Grotto, both more impressive than Calypso, but lacking the love story. Below Calypso Cave are the remains of a fortification built by the Knights of St John as a defence bastion.
Telephone: 2156 0572; Opening time: Xerri: Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm; Ninu: daily 8.30am to 6pm; Admission: Calypso Cave is free, but there is a fee of 75c for Xerri's Grotto
Dwejra
Dwejra, with its secluded pebbled bathing pool and crystal clear water, is known as the ‘inland sea’ and provides the enjoyable experience of diving into the ‘blue hole’ near the Azure Window. It is an area with strange rock formations causing interesting swimming holes. It’s most famous rock is Fungus Rock, which was apparently heavily guarded during the era of the Knights of Malta because a special plant with healing properties grew upon it, and stealing the plant was liable to earn the thief the death penalty.
Transport: Dwejra can be reached on bus 1 or 2 from Victoria
Ggantija Temples
Two massive megaliths were carved into temples by the pre-Phoenician Gozitans somewhere between 4,100 and 2,500 BC, and now stand on the island as mysterious monuments to a bygone age. Legend has it that they were transported to the island by a giantess called Sansuna, hence the name of the site, Ggantija, which means 'giant'. Large stone balls in the area, however, have led archaeologists to conclude that the massive blocks were rolled into place atop these. The two temples have a common façade but each has a separate entrance; one is larger than the other. It is believed both originally had roofing made of wooden beams, and that sacrifices of animals were made in the temples during rituals. The temples, along with other similar temples on the main island of Malta, have been documented as the oldest free standing structures in the world.
Address: Temples Street, Xaghra; Telephone: 2155 3194; Website: www.heritagemalta.org; Transport: Bus 64 or 65 from Victoria; Opening time: Daily 9am to 5pm; Admission: Lm1.50 (adults), 50c (children 6-11)
Marsalforn
The tiny fishing village of Marsalforn on the north coast of Gozo has become the island's most popular summer resort. It offers various spots for swimming and water sports, and is well supplied with restaurants, bars and accommodation establishments.
Transport: Bus 21 from Victoria
Museum of Archaeology
A good place to begin exploring Gozo is at the Museum of Archaeology, found just inside the walls of the Citadel in Victoria behind the Old Gate, in a 17th century building that was originally the Town Hall. The museum illustrates the cultural history of Gozo from prehistoric times to the early modern era, presented chronologically from the Neolithic and Temple Period onwards through the Phoenician, Roman, Medieval and Knights of St John periods.
Address: Triq Bieb l-Imdina, The Citadel; Telephone: 2155 6144; Website: www.heritagemalta.org; Opening time: Daily 9am to 5pm; Admission: Lm1 (adults), 25c (children 6-11)