| XAGHRA ~ THE VILLAGE WHERE I LIVE |
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Apart from being in itself a picturesque village, the village of Xaghra
is rich in historical heritage and therefore has plenty to offer to its
visitors. Situated on the north east of the capital town of Victoria,
on a lengthy stretch of high ground, Xaghra is encircled by the
beautiful bays of Ramla, Ghajn Barrani and Marsalforn, while the
valleys of Ramla, Ta' l-Ghejjun and Marsalforn caress this lovely
village. Ramla Bay with its unique honey-red sand is by far the most
popular beach on the island.
The plateau hilltop on which the town stands descends towards several
evergreen valleys. Amongst them one finds the Eghzien Valley and Ghajn
Xejba Valley, which lead into Marsalforn Valley. The terraced fields
are the utmost fertile areas and are henceforth the source of the best
agricultural products and grapes of the highest quality.Xaghra is
certainly one of the spots in Gozo where there has been human
habitation since extremely early times. Here one can find the Neolithic
temples of Ggantija, which are acknowledged to be the oldest
free-standing structures in the world.
On that edge of the town overlooking a splendid view of Ramla Bay, one
can find the mythological Calypso Cave, the home of the nymph Calypso
mentioned in Homer's Odyssey. Yet other caves are renowned for the
fantastic shapes of their stalagmites and stalactites, formed over the
ages by the slow filtration of rainwater through the limestone which
composes the tableland. Xerri's Grotto and Ninu's Cave are ample
examples of such natural marvel.
The village boasts an attractive windmill known as Ta' Kola Windmill,
after its last tenant. The present windmill structure was built on 5th
September 1786. It is the only windmill in Gozo that has its own
original wooden cogwheel machinery in good functioning order. This is
due to the last tenant who took prestigious care according to the
conditions of the lease that was granted to him by the Order. Intensive
restoration was carried out on the Windmill in the early 90's that gave
her back its original splendour. Today it is functioning as a museum
rendering Ta' Kola Windmill an ideal attraction to hundreds of tourists
who visit Xaghra all year round.
A curious museum that one should not miss when visiting Xaghra, is the
"Pomskizillious" Museum of Toys, where a display of antique collectors'
toys is exhibited.
Bishop Davide Cocco Palmieri established Xaghra as an independent
parish on 28th April 1688. The first parish church was the medieval
chapel dedicated to St. Anthony the Abbot, still standing today. The
beautiful, present-day Parish Basilica is dedicated to the Nativity of
the Blessed Virgin Mary. The feast is celebrated every 8th September,
locally known as "Il-Festa tal-Vittorja" commemorating the victory of
the Maltese under the Knights of St. John over the Turks in the Siege
of 1565. The feast of the Nativity of Our Lady has been since then a
traditional national holiday.
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| Posted: 4/21/2008 at 12:17 | Read 338 times | 12 comments | Leave Comment |
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