Village History

History of the Church During excavation works at 'il-Mixta' of Ghajn Abdul, in Neolithic times according to Dr Trump, pre-historic pottery was found. This means that people lived here between 3800 - 3600BC. From the excavations made by the department of Museums, results showed that people also used to live in these caves in the Bronze Age between 1400 -800BC. In the areas of Dwejra and San Dimitri there are signs of cart ruts on rocks, today buried beneath road surface. Some people think that the Phoenicians on their journeys to the west used to live in Gharb from where they planned their sea journeys. A book by the Maltese author Antonju Caruana - 'Sull 'Origine della lingua Maltese' says that remains of the Phoenicians were found in Gharb. Can. G. Piet Agius de Soldanis says that 'ix-Xaqqufija' in Gharb is a small place where old Romans used to live. In Gharb 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 Gharb, more than any other villages in Gozo, are still using some of these words today in their day to day life. Words similar to 'Wied id-Dluka', 'Wied ir-Rahab', 'Ghammar' and 'cuplajs', 'srew', 'ghannewwel' etc could still be heard in Gharb. About 80 years ago the people of Gharb 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 Gharb. Mikiel Anton Vassalli, a studier of the Maltese language came to Gharb to hear the old and pure Maltese language as spoken by the old villagers of Gharb. Fr Manwel Magri came to Gharb for the same purpose to record old words, legends and proverbs from our fore fathers, when Archpriest Fr Carmel Portelli was still alive. Although during the Great Siege in 1565 Gozo didn't take part, Gharb had been more or less involved. When the fleets of the Duke of Dilidina at San Dimitri point, on the 23rd June 1565, a smoke was signed from Gozo. Mewquita came to know about this source of help (ship of Don Garcia that came to help Malta). Grandmaster La Vallette was happy with the participation of Gozo in the Great Siege. 'Kap il-Malti' had served for a lot of years as watch against attacks from the enemies. The tower of Dwejra was built in 1651 during the days of the Grand Master De Paule and two canons erected. There was another tower on 'Ta' Dbiegi' hill but it perished during an earthquake.

The Collegiate and Basilica of Gharb

After Gharb became a parish the people needed to plan a new church. On the 27th September 1698 the Grandmaster gave permission and chose the site called 'ta' Nawrata'. Architect Guzeppi Azzoppardi nicknamed 'iz-Zghir' from Birgu Malta made the plans. The builder Dijonisju Carnemolla from Gharb began the works and encouraged everyone to help in the work. In 1699 the parish priest, Fr Gamri Camilleri with the permission of Bishop David Cocco Palmeri put some minutes and silver medals under the foundation stone. The works continued for 15 years and stopped for about 10 years after 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 Sagrament in the Tabernacle.

On the 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 Cannons took their possession. They served as priests by staying in office for 23 years.

The bells were made in 1732 and cost 3800 'skudi'. The larger one weighs 2448kg and cost 125 'skudi'. These were raised to steeple by the people themselves using beasts and other tools available at that time.

The organ was used for the 1st time on the 15th September 1912. On the 3rd January 1963 Pope John XXIII nominated the Archipriest as Protonaotary Apostolic. At that time Can. Archipriest Fr Guzepp Borg was the Arcipriest. On the 28th November 1967, it was joined with the great devotion of Ta' Pinu Basilica with all honours and privileges of a minor Basilica and the chapter became to funcion in the same Basilica.

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

The Church during the years

Today's church is built on the ruins of another one. The previous one was profaned by Bishop Baloguer that the new church must continue with the same great devotion as the old one had.

The permit was given on the 17th June 1663 from the same Bishop Balaguer. In 1675, construction began and was ready by 1678. The money for its building was raised from collections 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.

Gharb 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 could not 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. 

Island Of Gozo

Gozo, meaning “joy” in Castilian, it is the second largest Island of the Maltese archipelago, with a population of approximately 30,000.

Though separated from mainland Malta by a 5km stretch of sea, Gozo is distinctly different from Malta. The Island is a third the size of Malta, more rural and simple, its culture and way of life rooted in fishing, as well as in primitive pastoral and agricultural activity.

Exuding a relaxed pace of life, Gozo is the ideal secluded safe haven and at just 25 minutes or so by ferry from Malta, the hop can easily be made for even the shortest stay.

Life in Gozo was harsh for well over two millennia, as the Islands were left exposed to any passing raiders, much more so than Malta with its natural harbours and defences.

Throughout the Middle Ages and into the rule of the Knights, Barbary corsairs and Saracens raided the island at intervals.  In 1551, the Saracens carried out a devastating raid, taking almost the entire population away into slavery.

The Island never really recovered from this and remained under populated for centuries until the arrival of the Knights saw the medieval Citadel (in Victoria, or Rabat) refortified and the Gozitans began to venture down to the rest of the Island.

Gozo and its inhabitants have their own distinct character and identity, with noticeably different lifestyles, accents and dialect. Gozitans are known for their friendliness and welcome to visitors, going out of their way to indicate a direction or help a visitor find their destination.

Festas and carnival times in Gozo also have a different feel to those on Malta.  The village of Nadur celebrates carnival with a black sense of humour, quite unlike its more joyful counterparts elsewhere.

The real beauty of Gozo, apart from its stunning seascape and interior, lies in the villages.  Here, it seems as if time really does stand still. The locals treasure their peace and the villages are tranquil, proving to be a wonderful respite from the trials and tribulations of everyday life for visitors.

Village bars open early in order to cater for the early risers who attend the first mass of the morning and close fairly late at night, catering for the socialising needs of locals and visitors. These watering holes have stayed unchanged for decades, the only sign of time passing by being the food and drink displayed for sale on the solid shelves and the Edwardian glass cases.

All roads in Gozo lead to Victoria, also known as Rabat, which is where the fortified citadel sits atop a summit.

Victoria is not just the geographic heart of Gozo, but also the centre of everyday activity. It manages to combine the bustle of its market and shops with a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. It is a great place to watch the Islanders go about their day, especially when the main market square, It-Tokk, comes to life.

The town also has a thriving cultural life all its own, with some surprising attractions ranging from opera to horse races in the main street on festa day.

The Island is well served by restaurants, where the eating is good and varied. Apart from restaurants and cafés offering local dishes as well as continental menus, one can also enjoy themed restaurants, such as Chinese or Indian.

Restaurants abound in Rabat, Mgarr and the fishing villages of Marsalforn and Xlendi, as well as in several other places.

There is no fear in walking about at night. The sense of safety and security is tangible as the locals take pride in the absolute absence of muggings and the almost non-existence of theft.