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 |
 | |
|
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 |
No comments:
Post a Comment