The Statue of Our Lady of Loreto

As soon as you enter Mgarr Harbour, while still aboard the ferry, you could not help but notice the welcoming landmarks of the harbour village of Ghajnsielem. Lourdes Chapel with its sharp steeple and underlying niche of Our Lady of Lourdes, Fort Chambray on the left-hand side dominating the high grounds and, on the distant background, the towering belfry of Ghajnsielem's Parish Church. Ghajnsielem is the first Gozitan village that will greet you as soon as you leave Mgarr Harbour towards the Gozitan heartland. Its name originated from the water spring, around which in 1700, Grandmaster Perellos built an arcade containing public washbasins and fresh water spouts. So without any stretch of imagination, the name Ghajnsielem means "a peaceful spring". A visit to Ghajnsielem should include Mgarr Harbour and fishing village. Ideally next comes Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel from where, especially at sunset, a beautiful view of Mgarr Harbour could be enjoyed. The 18th Century Fort Chambray, which was once unsuccessfully planned to be Gozo's Valletta, is also worth noting especially its perimeter. Up there you can discover views of Gozo's southern cliffs, Xatt l-Aħmar Bay and those of the Northern Comino Channel. The narrow winding road leading to peaceful bay of Xatt l-Ahmar could be traced from there, or else you could endeavour towards the village centre for a visit to the majestic Lombard-Gothic sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto. In the vicinity there is also the old parish church and the mysterious "Pjazza tad-Dehra" (square of the apparition) where it is believed that Our Lady has spoken to a local shepherd Anglu Grech. The parish owes its origin to the story of this apparition. A visit to the old Franciscan convent and church of St. Anthony of Padua is also worthwhile. Apart from the tranquillity of the area surrounding the convent, one could not remain anything less than charmed by the views upon the Gozo Channel particularly early in the morning or late at sunset.