About Għarb

In extremo vigilat

L-Għarb means West and this typical old Gozitan village unsurprisingly lies in the West of the Island. It started life as a small hamlet centuries ago. You can see its ancient roots in the centre of the village where some houses have fine examples of decorated stone balconies. The population of l-Għarb is of about 1266 people with a total of 400 families. The area of l-Għarb is about 14.3sq kms. L-Għarb is surrounded by two villages, that of St Lawrence and Għasri, and the sea. L-Għarb was made a parish in 1679. This triggered the need of building a new, baroque parish church. It was built between 1699 and 1729. The church has an elegant facade which has been compared with Borromini's S. Agnese in Piazza Navona, Rome. This version is naturally a simpler interpretation of the style.

Village History

Places of Interest

Gallery

The Altars

The Cemetery by the Church

Village History

History of the Church

During excavation works at ‘il-Mixta’ of Għajn Abdul, in Neolithic times according to Dr Trump, pre-historic pottery was found. This means that people lived here between 3800 – 3630 BC. From these excavations made by the department of Museums, results showed that people used to live in these caves also during the Bronze Age between 1630 – 800BC.

In the areas of Dwejra and San Dimitri there are signs of cart tracks on rocks, which today are buried beneath road surface. Some people think that the Phoenicians on their journeys to the west used to live in Għarb from where they planned their sea journeys.

A book written by the Maltese author Antonju Caruana – ‘Sull’Origine della lingua Maltese’ says that remains of the Phoenicians were found in Għarb.
Can G. Piet Agius de Soldanis says that ‘ix-Xaqqufija’ in Għarb is a small place where Romans used to live. In Għarb there were also Byzantine names like ‘Kardusa’ near San Dimitri. Chev. Vincent Bonello says that it might be possible that around the 7th Century, after being expelled from North Africa, some monks might have built chapels or monasteries in these areas. It could also be possible that the Byzantine inhabited the Islands before the Arabs did.

After the Arabs took over these islands Arabic became the official language. Some old people from Għarb, more than any other villages in Gozo, are still using some of these words today in their daily life. Words similar to ‘Wied id-Dluka’, ‘Wied ir-Rahab’, ‘Għammar’ and ‘cuplajs’, ‘srew’, ‘ghannewwel’ etc could still be heard in Għarb.

About 80 years ago the people of Għarb used to wear the ‘kabozza’ in the cold winter nights. The Arabs introduced ‘The Kabozza’ in these islands and in these islands it was associated with the village of Għarb.

Mikiel Anton Vassalli a scholar of the Maltese language came to Għarb to hear the old and pure Maltese language as spoken by the old villagers of Għarb. Fr Manwel Magri came to Għarb for the same purpose, to record old words, legends and proverbs from our forefathers, when Archpriest Fr Carmel Portelli was still alive.

The tower of Dwejra was built in 1651, during the days of the Grand Master De Paule and two cannons were erected. There was another tower on ‘Ta’ Dbiegi’ hill but it perished during an earthquake.

History of the Church

The Collegiate and Basilica of Gharb

Village History

The Cemetery by the Church

The Cemetery by the Church was constructed in the year 1703 and came to cost around 150 ‘Skudi’. It was extended on the 26th June 1814 and was blessed by Bishop Ferdinandu Matti. This cemetrey was used for those who died of contagious illness. From the 1st of January 1935 all dead people of Gharb and St Lawrence started getting buried in this cemetery. On the 29th July 1942 the Church and even the cemetery were greatly damaged by German bombs.

This Church remained parish for about 50 years, when in 1698 the people of Għarb sent a request to Grandmaster Raymondu Perelli as to be given a site for a new church to be built.

The Cemetery by the Church

The Clock with the new Machinery

Village History

The Collegiate and Basilica of Gharb

After Gharb became a parish the villagers needed to plan a new church. On the 27th September 1698 the Grandmaster gave permission and choose the site called ‘ta’ Nawrata’. Architect Guzeppi Azzoppardi known as ‘Iż-Żgħir’ from Birgu Malta was the one who made the plans. The builder Dijonisju Carnemolla from Għarb began the works and encouraged everyone to help in the building of the new church. In 1699 the parish priest, Fr Gamri Camilleri with the permission of Bishop David Cocco Palmeri put some coins and silver medals under the foundation stone. The works continued for 15 years and stopped for about 10 years when the builder died. In 1717 the parish priest Guzepp asked the Grandmaster to give him 4 tumuli for the church parvis. On April 1717 the works on the building started again. Fr Frangisk Adeodatao Formosa vicar of the Bishop of Gozo blessed the main altar, celebrated the mass and put the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle.

On 26th October 1729 the church was consecrated. On 19th May 1774 POPE CLEMENT XIV raised the church and on the 2nd October 1774 the first Canons took their possession. They served as priests by staying the Office for 23 years.
The bells were made in 1732 and costed 3800 ‘skudi’. The big one weighs 2448kg and cost 125 ‘skudi’. These were placed in the steeple by the people themselves using livestock and other tools.

The organ was used for the 1st time on the 15th September 1912. On the 3rd January 1963 Pope John XXIII nominated the Archpriest as Prothonotary Apostolic. At that time Can Fr Guzepp Borg was the Archpriest. On 28th November 1967, it was joined with the great devotion with Ta’ Pinu Basilica with all honors and privileges of a minor Basilica and the chapter made church services in the same Basilica.

It was Christmas 1971 when the Hebron choir under the direction of Can Achille Cauchi sang for the first time in the parish church.

The Collegiate and Basilica of Gharb

Għarb as a Parish

Village History

The Clock with the new Machinery

The clock with the new machinery started to tick regularly on the 19th March 1972 after Bishop Cauchi blessed it. With the zeal of the Arcipriest and the generous contributions of the people of the village the sum of Lm 748.32.9 was collected and today we have a clock that one can rely on for time. Mr Emanuel Scembri contacted various clock factories so that we could be sure to have a good one.

The Clock with the new Machinery

The Basilica

Village History

Għarb as a Parish

Bishop Molina decided to raise the church to a Parish owing to the number of people (300) who were eligible to receive communion. Besides the village of Gharb was 3 miles away from the Cathedral and people who died at night couldn’t receive the Blessed Sacrament. After being assured that the parochial community of Gharb could financially maintain a parish priest, Bishop Mikiel Glormu Molina declared Gharb as a parish on the 29th August 1679.

Għarb as a Parish

The Work in Fields

Village History

The Basilica

The apostolic Administrator for Gozo, Mons N G Cauchi Ph.D. Lic. Sc. Soc. Titular Bishop Vico D’Augusto VII made Gharb parish church a Basilica for the benefit and joy of the villagers.

Name of Arcipriest – Date of Taking Office
Fr Gamri Camilleri 15th September 1679
Fr Guzepp Axiak January 1713
Fr Salv Gauchi April 1744
Fr Guzepp Axiak 30th June 1730
Fr Lawrenz Axiak 5th March 1758
Fr Gwann Xuereb S. Th. D, 6th December 1791
Fr Publiju Refalo 16th March 1807
Fr Salv Mizzi 22nd December 1844
Fr Dimetriju Galea 12th October 1862
Fr Felic Refalo 7th April 1867
Fr Frangisk Saverju Debrincat 18th January 1869
Fr Karm Portelli 8th February 1914
Fr Mikiel Portelli 7th April 1951
Fr Guzepp Borg 17th June 1951
Fr Anton Saliba 2nd June 1984
Fr Karm Gauci 26th April 1999

The Basilica

Lace Work

Village History

The Work in Fields

The fields were tended wisely and with care. Work in the fields started from sunrise to sunset and during harvest time the farmers passed their days in the fields without resting. Work was hardest in summer especially during threshing time. When everything had to be done by livestock and men. In time of drought products were scarce and when rainfall was abundant and crops were plenty the farmers had to sell them at a cheap price or give them to charities.

The Work in Fields

The Population throughout the Years

Village History

Lace Work

Every evening all the family had work to do and the women used to work lace or separate cotton from its pod.

Lace Work

Feast in Older Times

Village History

The Population throughout the Years

Year – No of people
1679 – 511
1706 – 1419
1794 – 1536
1808 – 1440
1856 – 1355
1919 – 1630
1969 – 1967

The Population throughout the Years

The Visitation

Village History

Feast in Older Times

Long ago every quarter of the village used to light a bonfire on certain feast days. At the quarter known as ‘Tal-Fgura’ the feast of St Joseph (19th March) was celebrated, ‘Ta’ Trux’ had San Dimitri (2nd Sunday of October) and ‘Ta’ Għammar’ St Publius (2nd Sunday of September).

During the titular procession of the village of Għarb the dawn and the fife were used instead of an orchestra during Vespers and Benediction. In 1834, musicians were brought over from Malta until Gozitans were trained and started taking part in village feasts. Spiritual exercises were held before feasts. Can Prep, Nikol Axiak left a legacy to pay for these services. The best preachers were chosen. As we have seen up to now our village is one of the oldest in the island.

Feast in Older Times

The Church during the years

Village History

The Visitation

As from long ago there was a great devotion to the Visitation of Our Lady to St Elizabeth and because of the great graces received to all those who prayed it was called ‘Virtu’.

The Visitation

The Altars

Village History

The Church during the years

Today’s church is built on the ruins of the previous one. The previous one was profaned by Bishop Baloguer that the new church must keep the great devotion that the old one had.

The permit was given on the 17th June 1663 from the same Bishop Balaguer. In 1675 it began to be constructed and was ready by 1678. The money for its building was collected by the village people. The Apostolic visitor Mons Pietru Duzzina renamed it ‘Tal-Virtu’. On the 29th August 1679 Bishop Mikiel Glormu Molina declared it a parish with Dun Ganmarija Camilleri as its first parish priest.

The Church during the years

History of the Church

Village History

The Altars

On 23rd March 1688 the altar dedicated to St Francis of Assisi was previously dedicated to Our Lady of Rosary. The other altar of St Mary Madden was dedicated to the souls in Purgatory. On 29th July 1842 Pope Greogory XIV gave Plenary Indulgence to everyone who visited this church during the seven main feasts.

The titular feast was held with great devotion and fireworks were even used. BISHOP GM CAMILLERI OSA blessed the big bell of this church on the 16th June 1902. Archpriest Frangisku Saverju Debrincat paid half of its cost while Luigi Boero of Genoa made it. In 1904 the steeple was built together with the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Old Balconies

'Ta` Pinu' Shrine

Places of Interest

Ecclesia Mater Museum

The Ecclesia Mater museum has been set-up at the Għarb Collegiate and Basilica complex and hosts an exhibition of sacred arts that reflects the roots of the community of Għarb.

The exhibits go back as far as the times of the Phoenicians and Arab control of the island and come right up to the present day.

Highlights include Punic pottery found around l-Għarb and Arabic and Jewish coins that indicate extensive early trade links. A Papal Bull written in Gothic script in 1774 is one of the most interesting documents and there is an extensive display of church silver including a collection lampieri (oil lamps) unique in Gozo. One can also see the baptismal font brought from Mdina Cathedral, a leather altarpiece and a collection of more than 20 paintings by both local and foreign artists.

Ecclesia Mater Museum

Parish Church

Places of Interest

'Ta` Pinu' Shrine

Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary is a place of great devotion and of national importance and is visited by numerous persons all year round, both locals and tourists. Various pilgrimages are held to the Sanctuary.

This sanctuary is an extension to a chapel which is still found in the inner northern part of the sanctuary.

This was the chapel from which back in 1883 Karmni Grima a saintly woman from Gharb heard the voice of Our Lady talking to her asking her to recite three Holy Mary’s for those three days spent within the tomb.

Hours of Mass:

Monday – Friday: 7.30am, 8.30am, 6.30pm

Sundays and Feast Days: 6.15am, 8.30am, 10.00am, 11.15am & 5.00pm

Rector: Fr Gerald Buhagiar

Tel: 00356 21556187

'Ta` Pinu' Shrine

'Taż-Żejt' Chapel

Places of Interest

Parish Church

The Basilica of the Visitation is a baroque, collegiate parish church of the locality. It is dedicated to the Visitation of Our Lady to St Elizabeth. The feast day is on the 31st May of every year and the outside festivities are held on the first weekend of July.

Hours of Mass:

Monday – Friday: 6.00am, 7.45am & 6.30pm (Winter) 7.00pm (Summer)

Sundays and Feast Days: 6.00am, 7.00am, 8.30am & 4.00pm (Winter) 5.00pm (Summer)

Archpriest: Mons. Trevor Sultana

Tel/Fax: 00356 21556129

Parish Church

San Dimitri Chapel

Places of Interest

'Taż-Żejt' Chapel

Found at St Peter Street, Gharb

This chapel which is the chapel of the Cemetry of the Locality was also the old parish church of the locality, before the new one was built. It is called ‘taz- zejt’ because of a legend that says that an old woman was cured when she spread over her body some of the oil that used to ooze out the church’s side.

Hours of Mass:

Saturday – 5pm

Sunday – 9am

Contact Għarb Parish on 00356 21556129 for more information.

'Taż-Żejt' Chapel

Karmni Grima Museum

Places of Interest

San Dimitri Chapel

Found at the outskirts of the village. Birbuba Street leads to this chapel which is located in the midst of the countryside.

There is a legend related to this chapel, in which it is said that an old lady called Żgugina who had her son stolen by the Turks was praying San Dimitri in this chapel and the saint was seen coming out of the titular painting of the chapel and returned bringing back home her son. The feast is held annually on the second weekend of October. This chapel is found near a cliff called Ras San Mitri (The Cape of St. Demetrius).

For more information call Gharb Parish on 00356 21556129

San Dimitri Chapel

'Frenċ ta` L-Għarb' Museum

Places of Interest

Karmni Grima Museum

The Museum – ‘Dar Karmni Grima’ is located in Għarb at the beginning of Għarb Road. This museum was previously the same home where Karmni Grima, the peasant lady who heard the call of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Ta’ Pinu lived. It has newly reopened its door for visitors after being restored and upgraded and is now accessible to the public. Among its exhibits of various personal belongings of Karmni, they offer an audio-visual presentation (in six languages) about Karmni Grima’s life and the message of The Blessed Mother of Ta’ Pinu. Also one can ask for the Audio-guide which will guide them through the Museum.

For more information one can call Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary on: 21556187

Karmni Grima Museum

Għarb Folklore Museum

Places of Interest

'Frenċ ta` L-Għarb' Museum

Found in an Alley at Frenc ta’ l-Gharb Street

This museum is found in the village core. It is the same home of Frenc Mercieca better known as Frenc ta’ l-Gharb, a saintly man, who lived some years ago (1892 – 1967) and who cured a lot of people with his prayers and his faith in Our Lady.

Opening Hours: call for booking: 79552045

'Frenċ ta` L-Għarb' Museum

Ta' Dbiegi Crafts Village

Places of Interest

Għarb Folklore Museum

This Folklore Museum is a privately owned unique early 18th century historical house with 28 rooms found in the core of the village at Pjazza taż-Żjara tal-Madonna. A tour of these rooms gives the visitor a glimpse of times gone by with exhibits such as the miller’s room, an antique press room, a carpenter’s workshop and a myriad of other memories from Gozo’s past.

For more information please call on telephone number: 00356 21561929.

Please note that this museum is temporarily closed.

Għarb Folklore Museum

Wied il-Mielaħ window

Places of Interest

Ta' Dbiegi Crafts Village

Ta’ Dbiegi crafts village is the oldest Crafts Village in Gozo and can be found in our tranquil locality of Għarb at Frangisk Portelli Street. It boasts high quality craftsmanship which can be enjoyed on a daily basis and is a must for those seeking quality products manufactured on site by highly qualified artisans. It offers a unique opportunity to observe the artisan at work including hand-made pottery, hand-blown glass, lacemaking and filigree. Our village also hosts amenities such as access to Wi-Fi and a restaurant. It is a destination one would not want to miss.

Ta' Dbiegi Crafts Village

Old Balconies

Places of Interest

Wied il-Mielaħ window

This is an attraction not too well known, but it should not be missed! The Wied il-Mielaħ Window is a limestone natural arch on the north-western coast of the island of Gozo in Għarb and is located at the end of the valley Wied il-Mielaħ north of the village. This natural arch is very similar to the well-known Azure Window, which collapsed following a heavy storm.

Wied il-Mielaħ window

Ecclesia Mater Museum

Places of Interest

Old Balconies

At Gharb one can note various old and sculptured balconies found in some of the oldest homes around the village.