Places to Visit in Gozo

 

 

 

CALYPSOS CAVE

Close to Xaghra and overlooking the red sands of Gozo's finest beach, Ramla l-Hamra, is Calypso's Cave, assumed by many to be the cave referred to by Homer in 'The Odyssey'. Some are convinced that Gozo is the island of Ogygia and the cave to be the one where the beautiful nymph Calypso kept Odysseus as a 'prisoner of love' for seven years. Calypso promised Odysseus immortality if he would remain with her but he escaped and returned to his wife Penelope, who sat faithfully at her loom rejecting suitors.

The cave's interior and exterior are not too impressive but there is nevertheless a feeling of excitement at standing in a place associated with legend. The view is magnificent.

 

On the shore below, are the remains of a fortification built by the Knights in the mid-18th century to prevent invading forces landing their troops here. The fortifications housed two fugasses which were stone mortars filled with rocks and gunpowder. They were constructed on the waterline in such a way that their deadly load would shower onto the boats as they approached
 
Comino The waters are crystal clear with safe bathing for even the youngest children. The superb Blue Lagoon is not only excellent for swimming but also one of the most wonderful sights of the Maltese Islands

 
Calypsos Cave Close to Xaghra and overlooking the red sands of Gozo's finest beach, Ramla l-Hamra, is Calypso's Cave, assumed by many to be the cave referred to by Homer in 'The Odyssey'

 
Ggantija megalithic temples of Ggantija near the village of Xaghra are an outstanding example of the prehistoric monuments

 
The Citadel, Victoria This commercial hub with its street market (known as it-Tokk, in Independence Square) also contains the Citadel (known often as the Gran Castello or the Cittadella), an impregnable strategic point which owes its origins to the late mediaeval era, and which was re-fortified by the Knights of the Order of St. John to act as protection for the inhabitants.

 
Fungus Rock At Dwejra on Gozo's southern coastline- superb natural phenomenon, the Inland Sea.

 
Dwejra: the Inland Sea and Fungus Rock This rare plant was for centuries kept under constant guard and anyone caught stealing it was instantly put to death.

 
The Azure Window 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