Gozo is a much smaller Island within the Maltese Archipelago than it's big sister Malta. It's main commercial center is the mountaun top town of Valetta. We actually landed in the sea side village of Mgarr, a few kilometres away, end terminal for ferries to Malta proper.
The Island's nick-name is 'Island of Calypso', which was born in the Greek Myth of Homer's Epic 'The Odyssey'.
According to legend Odysseus was returning from the Trojan War to return home to wife Penelope and son Telamon. But he was ship-wrecked off the Island of Gozo, which is called Ogygia in the myth. He drifted ashore. Calypso, a queen and nymph, who lived in a hillside cave above Ramla L Hamra Bay, liked the look of Odysseus, nursed him back to health and kept him on the island as her love slave for seven years, whilst Odyssey's faithful wife kept the home fires burning back in Ithaca. Odysseys maintained, that Calypso prevented him by force from leaving the island...well who knows.
Long before Calypso captured her famous sailor, as yet unidentified copper age people built the oldest free standing structures known to man on the island of Gozo, near a village named Xaghra. These Ggantija Temples are said to be built during 3600 and 3200 BC, some of the building slabs measure 500 square feet. To add to the mystery, a Stonehenge like circle of megaliths was discovered near the temple as well.
A most devastating incident occurred in 1551 on Gozo. A powerful Turkish naval force attacked unprotected Gozo, after it had suffered an embarrassing defeat by the Knights of Malta. As revenge they turned on Gozo, where the Citadel with all the island's residents inside, started to crumble under the violent assault of the Turks.
The defenders realized, that no Knights in shining armour were coming to rescue them, Maltese or otherwise, and they surrendered. However, the invaders still felt stinging humiliation after their defeat, and sold Gozo's 5000 residents - all of them - into slavery.
Today, the island is a green paradise of olive orchards, vineyards, and farmer's fields. Life is laid back in the mountain top and sea side villages. Village streets are steep, winding and narrow, with carved stone balconies overhanging the streets. The island is dotted with cathedrals, churches, chapels, citadels and massive guard towers.
Silver, lace, glass, pottery made on the island are well known for their quality and beauty.
Mgarr Harbour and Malta Ferry
Landscape and mountain village and church
Inland sea, outings to the open sea are made via boat and tunnel in the back ground - 3 Euros
Tha Arch
Gozo rugged shore line
Gozo Lace
Main Aspe of Victoria's Cathedral (Gozo's 'capital')
Airy ceiling of richly decorated Church of St. George in Gozo
Narrow back street of Victoria on Gozo
And another church
Ruins of antique Roman Villa which has a view over a magnificient beach
Carved Balcony enclosures
Church dome on Gozo
Gothic Cathedral in Mgarr, the main harbour of Gozo
