Xaghra

Xaghra: An interesting town with a long history

Xaghra is located in the North East part of Gozo, mid-way between Victoria (Gozo's capital city) and Ramla Bay (one of Gozo's most popular sandy beaches), on a plateau 140 metres above sea level. It is the third largest city in Gozo, after Victoria and Nadur, having a population of around 4,200 people (Jun 2008). 

It is said that the town Xaghra took its name from "Xaghret l-Ghazzenin" which translates to the "land of the lazy ones" as farmers from all over Gozo used to go there with their flocks of sheep and goats, and while the animals feed on the grass, the farmers would spend the day relaxing, chatting and playing music.

Xaghra is probably the earliest inhabited part of Gozo, as it is home to the prehistoric temples of Ggantija, the Xagħra Stone Circle, as well as underground features Xerri's Grotto and Ninu's Cave. 

The Parish Church of Xagħra is dedicated to Our Lady of Victories, also known as 'il-Bambina', whose feast is celebrated on the 8th day of September each year.

Xaghra: Things to see and do

Visit Ggantija temples: These are the most famous prehistoric site of the Maltese Islands, dating back to the third millennium BC, which are confirmed by the Guinness World Book of Records to be the "oldest free standing structures in the World."

Swim at Ramla Bay: One of the most popular beaches in Gozo, Ramla Bay is covered by reddish golden sand that give it its name while on the inner side of the beach endemic flora and fauna occupy the sand dunes.

Visit Calypso Cave: Apart from the beautiful view over Ramla Bay, attached to Calypso Cave there is an interesting legend that gives the site an even more magical outlook.

Xerri's Grotto and Ninu's cave: These two caves are easily accessible from the village square; splendid examples of stalactite and stalagmite caves.

Ta' Kola Windmill: Located mid-way between Xaghra's village square and the Ggantija Temples, Kola’s Windmill is a typical Gozo windmill built in 1725. The last miller working here died at the age of eighty seven in 1987. After that, Kola's windmill was restored and a folklore museum was set up in the miller’s rooms, inaugurated in 1992.