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XAG}RA. Ix-Xaghra is built on a hill to the central north-east of the island of Gozo. It lies just under four kilometres from Rabat, the town of the island, and is aptly described as the village of the goddess and the Madonna. Ix - Xaghra was one of the earliest inhabited areas of Gozo.
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XAG}RA • Ix-Xaghra is built on a hill to the central north-east of the island of Gozo. It lies just under four kilometres from Rabat, the town of the island, and is aptly described as the village of the goddess and the Madonna. Ix - Xaghra was one of the earliest inhabited areas of Gozo.
Places of Interest in Xag]ra • Ix-Xaghra is the Gozitan village containing the highest concentration of places of interest.The most famous prehistoric site of the Maltese archipelago are the Ggantija Temples of ix-Xaghra from the third millennium BC. Lying on the south eastern slope of the village over looking ir-Ramla valley, the complex consists of two temple units enclosed by a single outer wall. A Guinness Book of Records entry confirms these Temples as "the oldest free standing structures in the world“.
Ta’ Kola Windmill Kola's Windmill is a typical Gozo windmill, of which there were at least fourteen. Built in 1725, it is still in a dirking condition. Its last miller was a certain Guzepp Grech, who died at the age of eighty seven in 1987. After his demise, the place was restored and a folklore museum, set up in the miller's rooms, was inaugurated on 6 September 1992.
Xerri and Ninu’s Grottos Easily accessible from the village square, there are two splendid stalactites and stalagmites caves. The first is ‘L-Ghar ta' Ninu’ in Triq Jannar, and the second is ‘L-Ghar Ta’ Xerri’ in a street of the same name. They are both situated within private houses, but they are accessible to the public.
Ramla Bay • A natural attraction which is under the responsibility of the Xaghra Local Council is Ir-Ramla. It is the most unspoiled bay of the whole Maltese archipelago where it is possible to get an idea of the beauty of the island's beaches centuries ago, that is before houses were built right on the shoreline. The beach area is covered by a reddish golden sand that has given it its name while on the inner end of the beach there are sand-dunes full of endemic plants and animals.
Calypso Cave Calypso Cave, overlooking the fantastic sandy bay of Ir-Ramla, is the legendary quarters of the nymph Calypso. For centuries this cave at ix-Xaghra has been pointed out as the abode of the nymph who succeeded in bewitching Ulysses and in keeping him on her island for seven whole years. Fact or fiction, one thing is certain: the beautiful views of the fertile Wied ir-Ramla that stretches below the cave and flows onto the bay certainly bewitches thousands on this day. There is hardly anything to see inside the cave.
Other places of interest • Other places of interest in Xaghra include the Museum of Toys, the Gozo Stone Circle, Santa Verna Temples and Plague’s Cemetery.
Churches in Xaghra: Collegiate-Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady The parish church is dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady (popularly known as Il-Bambina). It was solemnly consecrated on 26th May, 1878 by Bishop Peter Pace. Throughout the years, the church was bestowed with a high number of privileges including Archpresbyteral (1893), Collegiate (1900), Basilica (1967) and Sanctuary (1973). It contains several pieces of artwork, including works by Italian Professor Virginio Monti.
Church of Christ the King This beautiful church is situated in an area which in the past was known as ‘Ta’ Gajdoru’. The foundation stone was laid on 20th September 1903 and the church was consecrated by Archbishop Michael Gonzi on 15th November, 1931. The church celebrates its feast annually on the second Sunday of October. The church contains several pieces of art, the main one being the titular painting depicting the Ecce Homo by Maltese renowned painter, Lazzaro Pisani.
Church of Saint Anthony the Abbot This small medieval chapel, dedicated to Saint Anthony, served as the first parish church of Xaghra between 1688 and 1692. The church was consecrated by H.E. Mgr Nicholas J. Cauchi on 28th April 1988. On the third Sunday of January, the village of Xaghra celebrates the traditional feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot. This feast comes to an end with the traditional blessing of animals since Saint Anthony is their protector saint. On Sunday morning, the blessing of horses takes place in Saint Anthony Square. The ceremony is presided by the Diocesan Bishop.
Xag]ra Coat of Arms • The coat of-arms of ix-Xaghra are gules, part of a monolithic prehistoric temple or; the motif on the shield is in one of the apses of the Ggantija Temples and it is symbolic representation of the goddess. Up to 1992, the Coat of arms consisted of azure two pallets gules and, upon a chief or, a mallard floating on water. • The Latin motto of the village is Librat et evolat, that is Poised and soaring — ‘Tisseqqer u tittajjar’.
