MALTA - THE ISLAND OF THE KNIGHTS OF SAINT JOHN - WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT MALTA - WHAT TO DO AND WHAT TO SEE IN A WEEK IN MALTA - DAY 7 VISIT MARSAXLOKK FISHING VILLAGE

 

TRIP TO MALTA, THE ISLAND OF THE KNIGHTS OF SAINT JOHN 

 

Day 7: Visit Marsaxlokk Fishing Village

 

 

Marsaxlokk Fishing Village

 

A small fishing village in the southeast of the island of Malta. Full of colorful boats, a power plant and a shipyard, the latter ruining the picturesque view.

 

 

Boats in the fishing village of Marsaxlokk

 

The name of the village comes from the Arabic marsa, meaning harbor, and the Maltese xlokk, which is a local name for the word southeast wind. It is a beautiful place for swimming when the weather permits.

 

 

The village harbour

 

  

Statue of a fisherman in the harbour

 

Every Sunday there is a large open-air market, where you can find food and tourist items. We bought fish, shrimp and salads and cooked a wonderful dinner as well as various souvenirs for gifts!

 

Statue of a little boy in the harbour

 

 

 

 

 

Church of Our Lady of Pompei (Santwarju tal-Madonna ta’ Pompei)

The Church of Our Lady of Pompei (Santwarju tal-Madonna ta’ Pompei) is a Roman Catholic church in the centre of Marsaxlokk village, built when fishermen started building houses by the sea to save time from travelling inland. Construction began in 1890 as a vow from the Marchioness Rosalia Apap Viani Testaferrata, after she was saved from a violent storm at sea.

 

Statue of St. Andrew, patron saint of fishermen

  

A statue of St. Andrew, patron saint of fishermen, is located in the main square of Marsaxlokk. The saint looks out to sea to protect the fishermen. It was carved in 1791 in Baroque style by Maltese sculptor Vincenzo Dimech (1768-1831).

 

Crayfish from the Marsaxlokk open-air market

 

 

Fish from the Marsaxlokk open-air market

 

We returned to Gzira and our hotel and after resting and eating our delicious seafood, we went out for a last drink in the port of Gzira. We left Malta with the best impressions because it is a beautiful and so interesting island and with the promise to come back again!!! 

 

A last drink in the port of Gzira

 

MALTA - THE ISLAND OF THE KNIGHTS OF SAINT JOHN - WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT MALTA - WHAT TO DO AND WHAT TO SEE IN A WEEK IN MALTA - DAY 6 VISIT THE ISLAND OF GOZO - VICTORIA - AZURE WINDOW - INLAND SEA - BLUE HOLE DIVE SITE - GHAJNSIELEM

 

TRIP TO MALTA, THE ISLAND OF THE KNIGHTS OF SAINT JOHN

Day 6: Visit to the Island of Gozo - Victoria or Citadel (Victoria) - Azure Window (it-Tieqa Żerqa) - Inland Sea - Blue Hole Dive Site – Ghajnsielem

 

 

Parish Church of Our Lady of Loreto in the village of Ghajnsielem, where the main port of Gozo is located

 

Lantern Point, Comino

The ferry to the island of Gozo departs from the Cirkewwa Passenger Terminal and the ticket costs around 5 euros, with payment of the ticket on the return trip. 

In the middle of the route are the islands of Comino and Comonoto. It is worth immortalizing their coastlines and if you have time, take a ride on the boats that are available.

 

 

Gozo Ferry Terminal 

located in the town of Ghajnsielem

 

Disembarkation is at the Gozo Ferry Terminal, located in the village of Ghajnsielem and you can explore the island by various means, we took the bus, and first we visited the capital of the island Victoria (Ir-Rabat Għawdex).  

Cominotto Reef

Victoria or Citadel (Victoria) 

 

It is located in the center of the island of Gozo, overlooking the green fields that surround it. It is a truly beautiful historic castle, ideal for exploration. It has catacombs underneath, which are being reconstructed for wider public use. 

In the center of the city is the baroque, St George's Basilica. 

St. George is the patron saint of the island and in the local dialect is called San Ġorġ. As you walk through the narrow streets of Victoria, you can notice many small shrines that adorn the facades of the houses, most of which are dedicated to the patron saint.

 

The cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven

 

The cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven and is located inside the Cittadella. It is located on the ruins of a Roman temple, dedicated to the Goddess Juno, the counterpart of the Goddess Hera. 

The Old Prison

The Old Prison

With a joint ticket that cost 5 euros, we visited five museums, located in the city center. 

The Gozo Nature Museum, which focuses on Gozo's natural history, geology, marine life and biodiversity, the Old Prison, with its well-preserved cells, the Gozo Museum of Archaeology, which has exhibits from the prehistoric period to the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans, the Folklore Museum, which with its exhibits, tools, clothing, furniture and household items, gives the visitor an idea of ​​what life was like for the people of the island many years ago, and the Gran Castello Historic House, located in a complex of medieval houses inside the castle, which survives from the era before the arrival of the Knights of St. John and has exhibits of household items. 

 

 

Gozo Museum of Archaeology

 

These houses were probably built by wealthy families in the 16th century. The architecture has Sicilian and Catalan influences as well as Gothic style. 

 

 

The Folklore Museum

The Folklore Museum

 

The Folklore Museum

 

The view from the San Marino Café 

 

 

 

 

 

Citadella of Victoria

 

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu (Santwarju Bażilika tal-Madonna ta' Pinu)

 

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu (Santwarju Bażilika tal-Madonna ta' Pinu)

 

 

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu (Santwarju Bażilika tal-Madonna ta' Pinu)

 

 

We continued exploring the island and visited a Roman Catholic Basilica, 700m from the village of Gharb, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu (Santwarju Bażilika tal-Madonna ta' Pinu). Pope Pius XI issued a papal decree of coronation, Marianum exstat Sanctuarium, to the venerated icon of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Ta' Pinu, on 24 May 1935. The Archbishop of Tarsus, Cardinal Alexis Lepicier, signed and the Regent of the Apostolic Dataria, Giuseppe Guerri, notarized the decree through the Holy Synod. The coronation of the icon took place on 20 June 1935. 

 

 

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu (Santwarju Bażilika tal-Madonna ta' Pinu)

 

Inland Sea Dive Site

 

 

 

Blue Window-Azure Window (it-Tieqa Żerqa). 

 

Well, it no longer exists. It was a 28-meter stone arch, but time, wind, people and erosion took their toll and it collapsed on March 8, 2017. It was the setting for several films. However, it is still an interesting landmark.

A beautiful stop for a few hours of diving and swimming. You can also have a drink or a bite to eat at the Inland Sea Dive Site, a popular dive site known for its clear waters, with a picturesque inland lagoon with a beach.

 

Parish Church of Our Lady of Loreto

 

We finished our walk with a visit to the Parish Church of Our Lady of Loreto, a neo-Gothic church in the village of Għajnsielem, which means “Spring of Peace”.

 

“Spring of Peace”

Village of Għajnsielem

 

Gozo Ferry Terminal

 

 

 

MALTA - THE ISLAND OF THE KNIGHTS OF SAINT JOHN - WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT MALTA - WHAT TO DO AND WHAT TO SEE IN A WEEK IN MALTA - DAY 5 VISIT ROTUNDA OF MOSTA (Ir-Rotunda tal-Mosta) AND SAN ĠILJAN

TRIP TO MALTA, THE ISLAND OF THE KNIGHTS OF SAINT JOHN

 

Day 5: Visit to the Rotunda of Mosta (Ir-Rotunda tal-Mosta) and St. Julian's (San Ġiljan)

 

Rotunda of Mosta, Ir-Rotunda tal-Mosta

 

 

The Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, also known as the Rotunda of Mosta or Mosta Dome, is a Catholic basilica dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven.

 

Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady

also known as the Rotunda of Mosta or Mosta Dome

 

 

The design of the church is inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, it has the third largest unsupported dome in the world, and is the largest church in Malta, and it took 28 years to complete its construction.

 

  

It has the third largest unsupported dome in the world

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On April 9, 1942, the Germans bombed the church, the bomb pierced the roof during the service but did not explode and remains as an exhibit inside the church, since it is considered a miracle that it did not explode.

 

 

The Germans bombed the church, the bomb pierced the roof during the service but did not explode and remains as an exhibit inside the church

Along with the church, we also visited the underground shelters, which exist under the church and were used by the residents during the Second World War.

 

 

 

Stergios in the shelter

 

Every day objects in the shelter

 

We returned to the hotel and in the afternoon we went for a walk in St. Julian's (San Ġiljan). Our walk began with a coffee at the Hilton Hotel in Malta.

 

 

Hilton Hotel of Malta

 

 

Coffee at Hilton Hotel of Malta

 

 

After enjoying our coffee at the hotel we walked to Portomaso Marina and arrived at Spinola Bay.

 

 

 

Portomaso Marina

 

 

Portomaso Business Tower

 

We recommend visiting St. Julians in the afternoon so you can be there when it gets dark, it is very beautiful with all the lights on. 

Perfect for your evening drink overlooking the sea.

 

 

 

Spinola Bay, St. Julians

 

Boat in Spinola Bay, St. Julians

 

Spinola Bay, St. Julians

Love sign in

Spinola Bay, St. Julians

 

Spinola Bay, St. Julians

Rope walker over the sea

 

Church Immaculate Conception of Our Lady 

Exiles Bay

The evening was warm so we continued our walk to Torri ta' San Ġiljan and Sliema beach and returned to the hotel.