The Azure Window was created by waves and rough seas
breaking on the rocks over a period of thousands
of years. On the top of two giant columns of
rock, each with a diameter of about 40 metres,
rests a huge ledge of rock measuring about 100
metres in length and 20 metres in height, forming
a giant window which one can see beyond. For
centuries the Gozitans have known this rare rock
formation as it-Tieqa (the Window).
Dwejra: the Inland Sea
and Fungus Rock
At Dwejra on Gozo's southern coastline
is a superb natural phenomenon, the Inland Sea. Set in a
deep recess in the rock coastline, the Inland Sea is a
large expanse of shallow water linked to the sea outside
through a narrow tunnel in the cliff. On calm days small
fishing boats carry visitors out to sea through the
narrow fissure, in order to see Fungus Rock and the Azure
Window.
Divers often use the Inland Sea as
their shore base for exploring some of the most exciting
deep waters around Gozo
Fungus Rock
Known also as il-Gebla
tal-General (the General's Rock), Fungus Rock stands
proudly and menacingly in the sweeping bay alongside the
Inland Sea. It was here that Fungus Gaulitanus, a fungus
much prised by the Knights for its medicinal powers, once
grew. This rare plant was for centuries kept under
constant guard and anyone caught stealing it was
instantly put to death. It was so prized that it was
often presented as a precious gift to distinguished
noblemen and visitors to the islands.
Due to the height and the
sheer sides of the tall rock it was almost impossible to
scale these from the sea, so the Knights erected a hoist
that could carry a man to its flat top from the nearby
watchtower on land
|
