XAG}RAXAG}RA

Ix-Xaghra is built on a Ix-Xaghra is built on a hill to the central north-hill to the central north-east of the island of east of the island of Gozo. It lies just under Gozo. It lies just under four kilometres from four kilometres from Rabat, the town of the Rabat, the town of the island, and is aptly island, and is aptly described as the village described as the village of the goddess and the of the goddess and the Madonna. Ix - Xaghra Madonna. Ix - Xaghra was one of the earliest was one of the earliest inhabited areas of inhabited areas of Gozo.Gozo.

Places of Interest in Xag]raPlaces of Interest in Xag]raIx-Xaghra is the Gozitan village Ix-Xaghra is the Gozitan village containing the highest containing the highest concentration of places of concentration of places of interest.interest. The most famous The most famous prehistoric site of the Maltese prehistoric site of the Maltese archipelago are the Ggantija archipelago are the Ggantija Temples of ix-Xaghra from the Temples of ix-Xaghra from the third millennium BC. Lying on third millennium BC. Lying on the south eastern slope of the the south eastern slope of the village over looking ir-Ramla village over looking ir-Ramla valley, the complex consists of valley, the complex consists of two temple units enclosed by a two temple units enclosed by a single outer wall. A Guinness single outer wall. A Guinness Book of Records entry confirms Book of Records entry confirms these Temples as "the oldest these Temples as "the oldest free standing structures in the free standing structures in the world“.world“.

Ta’ Kola WindmillTa’ Kola Windmill Kola's Windmill is a Kola's Windmill is a

typical Gozo windmill, of typical Gozo windmill, of which there were at least which there were at least fourteen. Built in 1725, it fourteen. Built in 1725, it is still in a dirking is still in a dirking condition. Its last miller condition. Its last miller was a certain Guzepp was a certain Guzepp Grech, who died at the Grech, who died at the age of eighty seven in age of eighty seven in 1987. After his demise, 1987. After his demise, the place was restored the place was restored and a folklore museum, and a folklore museum, set up in the miller's set up in the miller's rooms, was inaugurated rooms, was inaugurated on 6 September 1992.on 6 September 1992.

Xerri and Ninu’s Xerri and Ninu’s GrottosGrottos

Easily accessible from the Easily accessible from the village square, there are two village square, there are two splendid stalactites and splendid stalactites and stalagmites caves. The first stalagmites caves. The first is ‘L-Ghar ta' Ninu’ in Triq is ‘L-Ghar ta' Ninu’ in Triq Jannar, and the second is ‘L-Jannar, and the second is ‘L-Ghar Ta’ Xerri’ in a street of Ghar Ta’ Xerri’ in a street of the same name. They are the same name. They are both situated within private both situated within private houses, but they are houses, but they are accessible to the public. accessible to the public.

Ramla BayRamla BayA natural attraction which is A natural attraction which is under the responsibility of the under the responsibility of the Xaghra Local Council is Ir-Xaghra Local Council is Ir-Ramla. It is the most Ramla. It is the most unspoiled bay of the whole unspoiled bay of the whole Maltese archipelago where it Maltese archipelago where it is possible to get an idea of is possible to get an idea of the beauty of the island's the beauty of the island's beaches centuries ago, that beaches centuries ago, that is before houses were built is before houses were built right on the shoreline. The right on the shoreline. The beach area is covered by a beach area is covered by a reddish golden sand that has reddish golden sand that has given it its name while on the given it its name while on the inner end of the beach there inner end of the beach there are sand-dunes full of are sand-dunes full of endemic plants and animals.endemic plants and animals.

Calypso CaveCalypso Cave Calypso Cave, overlooking Calypso Cave, overlooking

the fantastic sandy bay of the fantastic sandy bay of Ir-Ramla, is the legendary Ir-Ramla, is the legendary quarters of the nymph quarters of the nymph Calypso. For centuries this Calypso. For centuries this cave at ix-Xaghra has been cave at ix-Xaghra has been pointed out as the abode pointed out as the abode of the nymph who of the nymph who succeeded in bewitching succeeded in bewitching Ulysses and in keeping him Ulysses and in keeping him on her island for seven on her island for seven whole years. Fact or whole years. Fact or fiction, one thing is fiction, one thing is certain: the beautiful views certain: the beautiful views of the fertile Wied ir-Ramla of the fertile Wied ir-Ramla that stretches below the that stretches below the cave and flows onto the cave and flows onto the bay certainly bewitches bay certainly bewitches thousands on this day. thousands on this day. There is hardly anything to There is hardly anything to see inside the cave.see inside the cave.

Other places of interestOther places of interest

Other places of Other places of interest in Xaghra interest in Xaghra include the Museum include the Museum of Toys, the Gozo of Toys, the Gozo Stone Circle, Santa Stone Circle, Santa Verna Temples and Verna Temples and Plague’s Cemetery.Plague’s Cemetery.

Other places Other places of interest (2)of interest (2)

Churches in Xaghra: Collegiate-Churches in Xaghra: Collegiate-Basilica of the Nativity of Our Basilica of the Nativity of Our

LadyLady

The parish church is dedicated to The parish church is dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady (popularly the Nativity of Our Lady (popularly known as Il-Bambina). It was known as Il-Bambina). It was solemnly consecrated on 26solemnly consecrated on 26thth May, May, 1878 by Bishop Peter Pace. 1878 by Bishop Peter Pace. Throughout the years, the church Throughout the years, the church was bestowed with a high number was bestowed with a high number of privileges including of privileges including Archpresbyteral (1893), Collegiate Archpresbyteral (1893), Collegiate (1900), Basilica (1967) and (1900), Basilica (1967) and Sanctuary (1973). It contains Sanctuary (1973). It contains several pieces of artwork, several pieces of artwork, including works by Italian including works by Italian Professor Virginio Monti. Professor Virginio Monti.

Church of Christ the KingChurch of Christ the King

This beautiful church is situated This beautiful church is situated in an area which in the past was in an area which in the past was known as ‘Ta’ Gajdoru’. The known as ‘Ta’ Gajdoru’. The foundation stone was laid on foundation stone was laid on 2020thth September 1903 and the September 1903 and the church was consecrated by church was consecrated by Archbishop Michael Gonzi on Archbishop Michael Gonzi on 1515thth November, 1931. The November, 1931. The church celebrates its feast church celebrates its feast annually on the second Sunday annually on the second Sunday of October. The church of October. The church contains several pieces of art, contains several pieces of art, the main one being the titular the main one being the titular painting depicting the painting depicting the Ecce Ecce HomoHomo by Maltese renowned by Maltese renowned painter, Lazzaro Pisani. painter, Lazzaro Pisani.

Church of Saint Anthony the Church of Saint Anthony the AbbotAbbot

This small medieval chapel, This small medieval chapel, dedicated to Saint Anthony, dedicated to Saint Anthony, served as the first parish served as the first parish church of Xaghra between church of Xaghra between 1688 and 1692. The church 1688 and 1692. The church was consecrated by H.E. Mgr was consecrated by H.E. Mgr Nicholas J. Cauchi on 28Nicholas J. Cauchi on 28thth April April 1988. On the third Sunday of 1988. On the third Sunday of January, the village of Xaghra January, the village of Xaghra celebrates the traditional celebrates the traditional feast of Saint Anthony the feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot. This feast comes to an Abbot. This feast comes to an end with the traditional end with the traditional blessing of animals since blessing of animals since Saint Anthony is their Saint Anthony is their protector saint. On Sunday protector saint. On Sunday morning, the blessing of morning, the blessing of horses takes place in Saint horses takes place in Saint Anthony Square. The Anthony Square. The ceremony is presided by the ceremony is presided by the Diocesan Bishop. Diocesan Bishop.

Titular Feast of Our Lady of Titular Feast of Our Lady of Victories Victories

(8(8thth September) September)

Titular Feast of Our Lady Titular Feast of Our Lady of Victories of Victories

(8(8thth September) September)

Good Friday Good Friday ProcessionProcession

Xag]ra Coat of ArmsXag]ra Coat of ArmsThe coat of-arms of ix-The coat of-arms of ix-Xaghra are gules, part of a Xaghra are gules, part of a monolithic prehistoric monolithic prehistoric temple or; the motif on the temple or; the motif on the shield is in one of the apses shield is in one of the apses of the Ggantija Temples and of the Ggantija Temples and it is symbolic representation it is symbolic representation of the goddess. Up to 1992, of the goddess. Up to 1992, the Coat of arms consisted the Coat of arms consisted of azure two pallets gules of azure two pallets gules and, upon a chief or, a and, upon a chief or, a mallard floating on water. mallard floating on water.

The Latin motto of the The Latin motto of the village is village is Librat et evolatLibrat et evolat, , that is Poised and soaring — that is Poised and soaring — ‘Tisseqqer u tittajjar’. ‘Tisseqqer u tittajjar’.

Carnival festivities in Carnival festivities in XaghraXaghra

Christmas Concert in Christmas Concert in Xaghra BasilicaXaghra Basilica

Xaghra’s Natural Xaghra’s Natural BeautyBeauty