Remaining in the Mediterranean Sea, this week we are taking the ferry over from Malta to Gozo, the second largest island of the Maltese archipelago. It is a lot more rural and quieter where life seems a little slower. The island is only 26 square miles but packs in quite a lot.
You arrive at Mġarr Harbour, with its quiet marina and church sitting on the hilltop overlooking the harbour.
We were on a day trip as it seemed the easiest way to explore the island since buses were fairly infrequent and we didn’t want the bother of hiring a car.
Our first stop was at Dwejra a small location on the West coast of the island of Gozo, known for its “inland sea” (small bay surrounded by high cliffs) and as the site where the Azure Window (naturally formed rock arch on the coast) could be found – we were lucky to see this, it collapsed during bad weather in March 2017.
Gozo (like Malta) is not short of churches and other religious buildings, every little village has its own church, often extremely large in comparison to the population they serve. This one is a much more modest one.
A much more imposing church is the Ta’ Pinu Basilica and Shrine (The Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu) close to Għarb, which was a centre of pilgrimage. The chapel remains in tact behind the altar and still contains the painting of the Assumption to Heaven of Our Lady from which the voice is said to have spoken to Karmni Grima. There is an chapel inside with some very unusual offerings and messages from people who were blessed by a miracle,
We visited Xlendi on the coast where we had a lovely walk along a promenade towards the tower with views along the coast with its high cliffs.
All roads in Gozo lead to the capital, ir-Rabat (Victoria), and, rising above it, the fortified Citadel accessible by a steep street climbing from Independence Square. Again you get incredible views over the entire island.
TRAVEL WORDS 