Gozo
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| Demographics | |
|---|---|
| Population | 31,000 (2005) |
Gozo (Maltese: Għawdex) is an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, the island is part of the Southern European country Malta and is the second largest after the island of Malta itself within the archipelago. Compared to its neighbour island, Gozo is more rural and known for its scenic hills, which feature on its coat of arms.[1]
A popular nickname of Gozo is the Isle of Calypso, this is derived from the location of Ogygia in Greek mythological poem Homer's Odyssey.[2] In the myth, the island was controlled by nymph Calypso who detained the hero of the story Odysseus there as prisoner of love for seven years; Gozo is thought to be modern day Ogygia.[3]
The island itself has a population of around 31,000 people (all of Malta combined has 402,000), the inhabitants are known as Gozitans. It is rich in historical locations such as the Ġgantija temples, which are the world's oldest free-standing structures, as well as the world's oldest religious structures.[4]
History
Gozo has been inhabitated since 5000 BC, when farmers from nearby Sicily crossed over the sea.[5] These people were part of the native Sicilian tribes, due to similar pottery found in both places from the Għar Dalam period it has been suggested that the first colonists were from the area of Agrigento; however, which part of Sicily specifically is indeterminate. They reached Gozo before Malta, due to the fact that it is closest to Sicily,[5] they are thought to have first lived in caves on the out-skirts of what is now known as Saint Lawrence.[5]
Some of the oldest structures in the world were built in Gozo, such as the Ġgantija temples. Another interesting Neolithic period stonework is the Xagħra Stone Circle.
In July 1551 Ottomans and Barbary pirates under Turgut Reis and Sinan Pasha invaded and ravaged Gozo and enslaved all of its inhabitants, about 5000, bringing them to Tarhuna Wa Msalata in Libya. Their departure port in Gozo was Mġarr ix-Xini.
The history of Gozo is strongly coupled with the history of Malta, since Gozo has been governed by Malta within recent history, with the exception of a short period of autonomy, granted to Gozo by Napoleon after his conquest of Malta, between 28 October 1798 and 5 September 1800.
Demography
In 2005, the island had a population of 31,053, of whom 6,414 live in its capital Victoria, also known as Rabat. The crude birth rate was 7.93, considerably lower than that of 9.59 for Malta. The town with the highest birth rate is San Lawrenz (15.93) and that with the lowest is Xewkija (4.89).
Geography
Gozo is 67 km² in size, which is approximately the same size as Manhattan. It lies approximately 6 km northwest from the nearest point of Malta, is of oval form, 14 km in length and 7.25 km in extreme breadth. Gozo is famed for its character and places of interest. Some of these are the Calypso cave, the Ġgantija Neolithic temples which is the oldest man made structure. It is more picturesque than the larger sister island of Malta, and the land is more fertile.
Gozo's finest attribute is the stunning Ramla Bay, whose lurid orange-red sand and crystal clear turquoise waters make it one of the finest beaches in Europe. Nearby San Blas is another world-class beach.
Connection to Malta Island
Gozitans have a very strong identity within Malta as a whole country and Gozo is the only region in Malta which has a Minister responsible for it. Generally speaking, Gozo is more socially conservative than the rest of the country.
The construction of a bridge between mainland Malta and Gozo was the subject of controversy for years. In the early 1970s the newly elected Socialist Administration started the building of a bridge between the two islands, but this was stopped after protests from the Gozitan part. There was previously a helicopter service which connected the two, but it was stopped recently after being privatised.
Presently the island is reachable by ferry boat, ferries relay on a regular basis between the port of Mġarr on Gozo and Ċirkewwa on Malta. This is used for goods, tourism and commuting (Gozitan students study at the University of Malta). Due to its frequent use, residents of Gozo are able to use the ferry at a subsidised rate, significantly lower than the standard fare.
Walking, Rambling and Hiking
Gozo is at its best from October to May. It looks like the Garden of Eden with all the wild flowers, birds and other animals. The average temperature in this period is around 20C ideal for rambling around the island. While exploring the island you will realize that every 500m there is a totally different amazing view due to a large number of valleys, hills and small beaches. There are lots of abandoned hidden ancient temples and shrines in the countryside. If you are pressed for time and do not have much time to explore but you want to see the best hidden places it is best to hire or join a guide that specializes in country walks. Although Gozo is small once you go to the countryside you will feel that you are alone on the island since you can walk for hours without meeting anybody. During the winter storms Gozo seaside is totally spectacular with seeing the big waves explode 80m high in the sky on the big boulders and lofty cliffs. Recently the Ager Foundation was established and offers a number of eco and agro experiences for visitors to the island.
Ecclesiastical history
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Gozo (in Latin Goulos-Gaudisiensis), comprises the Island of Gozo in the Mediterranean Sea (seventeen miles west of the harbour of Valetta, Malta) and islet of Comino. On a central plateau the ruined fortifications of a mediaeval castle contain the cathedral church and several public buildings. To the south of the castle lies the island's main town whose origins go back to prehistoric times. The town contains several public buildings the most important of which is St George's basilica. This magnificent basilica lies on the site where the earliest evidence of Christianity was discovered.
Up to the year 1864, Gozo formed part of the Diocese of Malta, but Pius IX, acceding to the repeated prayer of the clergy and the people, erected it into a separate exempt diocese, i.e. immediately subject to the Holy See. On 16 March, 1863, Monsignor Francesco Michele Butigieg, a native of Gozo, was appointed titular Bishop of Lita and deputy auxiliary of the Archbishop-Bishop of Malta, for the Island of Gozo. He was consecrated at Rome on 3 May of the same year, on 22 September, 1864, was created first bishop of the new Diocese of Gozo, and on the 23rd day of the following month made his solemn entry into the new cathedral. Through the efforts of Mgr. Pietro Pace, who was then vicar-general of the diocese, a diocesan seminary was established on the site formerly occupied by the San Giuliano Hospital, the revenues of which were appropriated to the new institution. This seminary was inaugurated 3 November, 1866, and by the express desire of Pope Pius IX placed under the direction of the Jesuits.
On the death of Mgr. Butigieg, Father Micallef, Superior General of the Augustinian Order, was made Bishop of Città di Castello and appointed administrator of the Diocese of Gozo. He left Gozo in May, 1867, and in 1871 became Archbishop of Pisa. His successor to the administration of the diocese was Mgr. Antonio Grech Delicata, titular Bishop of Chalcedon, a native of Malta, who in 1868 was appointed Bishop of Gozo, and as such assisted at the First Vatican Council. Mgr. Grech Delicata's charity towards the poor went so far that he divested himself of his own patrimony. This worthy prelate died on the last day of the year 1876.
On 12 March, 1877, Mgr. Canon Professor Pietro Pace, native of Gozo, was appointed to succeed Mgr. Grech Delicata, and was consecrated at Rome by Cardinal Howard. Under his administration the seminary was augmented by the installation of a meteorological observatory, which was inaugurated by the celebrated Padre Denza, Director of the Vatican Observatory. During this administration an episcopal educational institute for girls was also established, under the care of the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul, to whom was also entrusted the direction of the annexed orphan asylum. The same bishop provided the diocese with a new episcopal palace and new monasteries, besides laying out large sums of money on the cathedral.
In 1889, Mgr. Pace was promoted Archbishop of Rhodes and Bishop of Malta. His successor in the See of Gozo was the Reverend G. M. Camilleri, O.S.A., a native of Valetta (b. 15 March, 1842). Under Mgr. Camilleri's administration the first diocesan synod was celebrated, in October, 1903. This synod was of absolute necessity, as the diocese was still governed under the rules of the Synod of Malta of 1703, and consequently lacked a safe guide adapted to the times. Constitutions and decrees were also promulgated and published which gave new life to the working of the diocese.
The cathedral church of Gozo was built in 1697-1703, by Lorenzo Gafa. Its ground plan is in the form of a Latin cross. The Cathedral is also the annual pilgrimage site of the Grand Priory of the Mediterranean of the Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. Its interior is adorned with fine paintings. The "Massagiere di Maria", an Italian periodical, is recognized in the Diocese of Gozo as the official organ of the sanctuary of the Bl. Virgin ta Pinu.
Currently the Bishop of Gozo is Mgr. Mario Grech.
Notable features
- Cathedral Church of Gozo
- Aurora Theatre
- Santwarju tal-Madonna ta' Pinu
- St George's Basilica and Parish
- Astra Theatre
- Inland Sea
- Fungus Rock
- Azure Window
- Ramla Bay
- Fontana Springs
See also
Gallery of cathedrals in the Mediterranean
References
External links
- Gozo Regional CommitteeAlternattiva Demokratika
- Maltese Ministry for Gozo
- Gozo Business Chamber
- A Comprehensive Guide and Community Portal
- PhotoGlobe: Gozo A collection of commented photos together with GPS-based coordinates
- Gozo Photo Galleries and Webcam
- Grand Priory of the Mediterranean
- Gozo for tourists
- Gozo and Comino on GuidetoMalta.net
