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40-456: Xlendi is an urban village in Malta situated in the south-west of the island of Gozo . It is surrounded by the villages of Munxar , Fontana and Kerċem . The village is administered by Munxar, but has its own coat of arms and motto. From March 2010, Xlendi has had its own 5-person "mini council" responsible for the main activities of the area. The name Xlendi is of Byzantine origin as it

80-596: A fine 17th century baroque Cathedral designed by Lorenzo Gafà , the Maltese architect who also built the Cathedral of Mdina . It is said that it lies on the site where a Roman temple dedicated to Juno once stood. It is most famous for the remarkable trompe-l'œil painting on its ceiling, which depicts the interior of a dome that was never built. The Cathedral is built on one of the oldest religious sites in Gozo, if not

120-401: A greasy pole which the players have to walk on to catch a flag. In the evening a procession with the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is held around Xlendi. A statue of Sant Indrija (Saint Andrew), patron saint of fishermen, was erected and inaugurated in 1882 in the part of Xlendi Bay where boats are kept on land during the winter months. Every year on 30 November, the statue of Saint Andrew

160-436: A guiding concept for many projects. The ideas of the urban commentator Jane Jacobs are widely regarded as having had the largest influence on the urban village concept. Jacobs rejected the modernist views that dominated urban planning and architecture in the 1950s–60s and constructed an alternative philosophy that values traditional neighborhoods and the role of the inner city. Proponents believe that urban villages provide

200-421: A new concept and are simply a re-formulation of ideas that have been prevalent in urban planning for decades. The following is a brief list of a few projects claimed to be urban villages that have evolved or already been completed, or are in planning stages: Victoria, Malta Victoria ( Maltese : Il-Belt Victoria , meaning "the city Victoria"), also known among the native Maltese as Rabat (which

240-431: A true urban village form, have not achieved their objectives. Some planners question whether a genuine urban village has actually been built. The objectives of urban villages are often criticized as unrealistic because they ignore broader social and economic realities. The ability to create self-contained villages is questionable as employment and activity patterns continue to become more complex. The viability of creating

280-428: A variety of employment and activity within an area with a small population base can also be questioned. It has been suggested that the demise of the neighborhood community is a function of "conscious economic and social choice" rather than a product of urban form. The limitations of the urban village concept to achieve sustainability in urban areas have also been studied in developing countries, which further emphasizes

320-413: A viable alternative to the social ills that characterize modernism in cities, such as freeways and high-rise estates. Another strong impetus for urban villages has been growing disenchantment with the urban sprawl that has characterized the development of many cities since World War II . Urban villages are seen to create self-contained communities that reduce the need to travel large distances and reduce

360-599: Is a cave on the right cliffs of the bay. It was once the property of Caroline Cauchi, a rich woman from Victoria. Later she founded the Augustinian Sisters on Gozo and donated almost all of her land, including the cave and other land in Xlendi. The Sisters during summers started to stay at Xlendi. They would go for a swim in this cave which was isolated and could only be reached by stairs. So they would use this cave as their own and would not be seen by other people in

400-534: Is because of the entrance of the valley and the valley's form. From its entrance, it could be seen as a bow. This valley is home to many types of flora and fauna because not many people go there. The Tower of Xlendi was reached by a bridge built by the Knights of Saint John over the Kantra Valley. There are many caves, small or large, on the sides of the bay. The main and most known caves are: Caroline Cave

440-464: Is decorated with lights and flowers. In 1955, the Xlendi mill was excavated into the cliffs, situated behind the Mount Carmel church. The excavation was a huge undertaking, which consisted firstly of an entrance tunnel, some 30 metres (98 ft) long, 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) high and 3 metres (9.8 ft) wide, leading into a large chamber. This chamber was divided into three floors and housed

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480-464: Is known about it. All of these chapels were profaned between the 1650s and the 1680s. The church, dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel , was dedicated in 1974, but some parts of the building are far older, dating to 1868. Every year, on the first Sunday of September, a feast dedicated to the patron saint is held. In the Afternoon, water games are held at the bay with the traditional ' gostra ',

520-543: Is named after a galley of the period, that was wrecked along the coast, that was called Shilandi . Evidence of this was retrieved near the entry of the bay, at the bottom of the sea, in the 1960s. Since then the site has become a popular diving site. Also, tombs dating from Punic-Byzantine times were found in Xlendi, some at St. Simon Point (under St. Simon Street) and some others in Xlendi Valley. Romans used to port in Xlendi as it has features that can protect from

560-470: Is now pebbly. The bay is still known for the rocks on the left side of the bay which are good for sunbathing and diving. Xlendi Valley starts from Fontana continuing from the Lunzjata Valley and Wied l-Ghawdxija and ends in the bay into the sea. So Xlendi Valley collects almost all the rain that falls on the adjacent villages of Kerċem, Munxar and Fontana. The rain water goes through Xlendi and this

600-608: Is quite a problem for most citizens living in Xlendi because they are isolated by the fast flowing water. This also causes flooding in the buildings on the main road from where the valley water passes. This valley is one of the very few homes to the Maltese Freshwater Crab . Il-Kantra is a valley on the left of the bay just beside the Tower. The name Kantra derives from Alcantara in Spanish-Sicilian. This

640-585: Is still standing. It had, until recently, been abandoned with substantial damage caused to the outer walls of the tower. Responsibility for the tower was passed to the Local Council and Din l-Art Ħelwa in 2010. As of August 2020, restoration works were commenced on its outer structure. The tower was quite important for the British Army in Malta as it was the only tower in the southwest of the island. It

680-465: Is the name of the old town centre) or by its title Città Victoria , is an administrative unit of Malta , and the main town on Gozo . Victoria has a total population of 6,901 (as of March 2014), and is the most populous settlement in Gozo . The area around the town, situated on a hill near the centre of the island, has been settled since Neolithic times. Victoria is the name given on 10 June 1887 by

720-528: The British government on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria , at the request of Pietro Monsignor Pace , Bishop of Gozo ( Monsignor Pace later became Sir Pietro Monsignor Pace , Titular Archbishop of Rhodes and Bishop of Malta ). However, many Gozitans, mainly older Gozitans, still often refer to it by the name Rabat. It is usually known as Rabat, Gozo to distinguish it from

760-819: The Seagulls , the Maltese Freshwater Crab and the ' Widnet il-Bahar '. Today, Xlendi is one of the most developed areas on the island, a feature that damages the biodiversity in the area. The 3 km stretch of cliffed coastline from Xlendi Bay westwards to Wardija Point forms the Xlendi Bay to Wardija Point Cliffs Important Bird Area , identified as such by BirdLife International because of its importance for two species of breeding shearwaters . Urban village Urban villages are seen to provide an alternative to recent patterns of urban development in many cities, especially decentralization and urban sprawl . They are generally purported to: The concept of urban villages

800-491: The Basilica opened the doors to its new modern museum, one of a kind in the country. It is the first building built for the purpose of a museum. The Museum and cultural centre, named as Heart of Gozo: Il-Hagar , displays a rich collection of historical and artistic artefacts previously inaccessible to the general public. The museum is found on the left side of the Basilica. These gardens are situated between Republic Street and

840-668: The Citadel dates back to the Aragonese domination period. The south flank, overlooking Victoria, was re-constructed under the Knights of St. John , namely between 1599 and 1603, after Ottomans invaded the city in 1551. The massive defensive stone walls of the fortifications rise above the town and were built by the Knights to protect the village communities from foraging corsairs attempting to take slaves and threatened invasion of Moslem forces fighting Christendom. Within its walls lies

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880-741: The La Stella Philharmonic Society (1880), and the Leone Band took control of the feast of the Assumption of Mary, and the La Stella Band took control of the feast of St. George. The statue was then donated to the Cathedral on the 29th of April, 1956 after many other disagreements between the bands. St. George's Basilica, Malta , caters for half of the population of Victoria, as it is a personal parish (as opposed to other parishes who are territorial) operating in

920-591: The Main Car Park in Victoria. One can see in these gardens a bronze bust of the Gozitan 18th-century historian and grammarian Canon Giovanni Pietro Francesco Agius de Soldanis and another of Gozo born French poet and writer Laurent Ropa. One can also find a memorial commemorating the invasion of Gozo by Ottomans in 1551. Five feasts are celebrated in Victoria, the island of Gozo , the two main feasts are

960-430: The bay. Catherine of Siena Cave is situated outside the bay on the right side. It is well known for the very clear blue water. In the 17th century, people used to live in the areas around the cave and built a church just over the cave. So the cave got its name from the saint to which the church was dedicated. The undeveloped area around Xlendi is home for a lot of flora and fauna species, some of them rare. One can name

1000-610: The church of St Francis this feast is celebrated on 8 December of every year by the Franciscan conventual friars. A feast of Our Lady of Divine Grace is celebrated as the last feast of the feast season by the Franciscan capuchin friars in the church dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Grace. The feast of St. John Bosco is celebrated in the Don Bosco Oratory. Victoria is home to three football clubs, S.K. Victoria Wanderers , Victoria Hotspurs and Oratory Youths . Victoria

1040-656: The city of Victoria. Its parish church , dedicated to St George , has the status of a Basilica . This church was built in the 1670s and suffered severe damage in the earthquake of 1693. A new façade was built in 1818. The dome and the aisles are of recent construction (1930s and 1940s). There are several works of art in this church which include the painting of the dome and ceiling by Gian Battista Conti of Rome and other paintings and sculptures by Mattia Preti , Giuseppe d'Arena, Stefano Erardi , Alessio Erardi, Francesco V. Zahra, Giuseppe Calì , and contemporary Alfred Camilleri Cauchi and John L. Grima. The titular statue of St George

1080-688: The countryside. These environmental consequences of urban sprawl have come to dominate discussion promoting urban villages in recent years. Urban villages are widely seen to provide a solution to the demise of community that is often associated with modernism and sprawl. The concept uses the social and physical morphology of the traditional rural village as an inspiration for creating better functioning communities. The urban village movement has been influenced by Ebenezer Howard ’s Garden City ideals which also emphasize environmental determinism in relation to community. Urban design techniques such as public space and pedestrianization are employed to facilitate

1120-522: The development of community by encouraging human interaction. This philosophy shares many attributes with the new urbanism school of thought. Many urban village developments, both Government and privately initiated, have been seen to depart from the original ideals of the concept. Private developments often use the "urban village" label as an advertising pitch or to win Government support for their project. Many developments, although intended to create

1160-615: The feast of St. George and the feast of Assumption of the Virgin Mary . The feast dedicated to St. Mary, devoted in its Cathedral situated in the centre of the Citadel dominating the whole island is celebrated on 15 August. The other one is dedicated to St. George , the patron saint of Gozo celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of July in St George's Basilica . In Victoria, there is the feast of the Immaculate Conception in

1200-434: The institutional barriers against such an application in the case of the developing countries. This issue becomes more critical when we accept that the institutional landscape in rural environments is more complex than urban areas and that incompatible institutional structure of the developing countries would add to the idealistic nature of the urban village concept. Some urban commentators believe that urban villages are not

1240-634: The oldest, with evidence of some sort of temple dedicated to a goddess or female figure long before the Romans. The Cathedral also houses a beautiful statue of the Assumption of Mary, donated to the Cathedral by the Leone Philharmonic Society (1863). The statue was originally bought by the band from Rome from the Fabbrica di Statue Religiose of Francesco Rosa in 1897, when the band had its first disagreement with its first 'daughter-band'

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1280-442: The side of Munxar and was difficult to reach, so it was profaned soon after it was established; St Catherine was established over Xlendi on the cliffs on the side of the village of Kercem. It was built over a cliff which bears the same name. It is said that there was a small community in the area of this chapel; ' Vizitazzjoni ta' Forn il-Gir' was not much visited by people. It was established between Munxar and Xlendi but very little

1320-470: The storage, grinding and milling equipment. At the rear of the mill is the silo, having a storage capacity of approximately 1,000 tonnes of wheat, and connected to the milling machinery by mechanical augers. An 80 hp diesel engine and alternator supplied power. Entrances from above can also access the silo. The Mill was built when the Cold War was escalating when nuclear conflict was possible. This Mill

1360-429: The subsequent reliance on the automobile. The decline of noxious industry and the emergence of the service economy allows the mixing of employment and residential activities without detriment to residents. This is in contrast to the single-use zoning that helped fuel urban sprawl during the industrial and manufacturing eras. Through more consolidated development, urban villages can reduce the intrusion of urban growth on

1400-606: The town of Rabat on the main island of Malta . In the heart of Victoria lies the Cittadella (Citadel), formerly known as il Castello , which has been the centre of activity of the island since possibly Neolithic times, but is known to be first fortified during the Bronze Age c. 1500 BC. It was later developed by the Phoenicians and continued into becoming a complex Acropolis by Roman times . The north side of

1440-485: The wind for its cliffs around the bay. In the middle of the bay there is a reef which caused many shipwrecks. These sunken ships left a large number of Roman amphorae on the seabed in the mouth of the bay. The Xlendi Tower guarding the mouth of the bay was built by the Grandmaster Juan de Lascaris-Castellar on 29 June 1650. This was built so pirates or Turks could not launch attacks from this bay. This tower

1480-433: Was carved from solid wood by Pietro Paolo Azzopardi in 1838 and is the first titular statue on the island. The area over which the church is built is of considerable archaeological interest. The parish celebrates two feasts during the year: 23 April, the official date celebrating the death of the martyr, and the third Sunday of July, when the solemn festivities in honour of Gozo 's patron saint are held. In February 2013,

1520-411: Was entitled Tower B (secondly in place) to show its importance. It is strange that Xlendi in the middle 17th century had a total of 4 chapels. These were: St Simon Chapel (St Simon Point) which also had a cemetery and when profaned, the bishop ordered that a stone cross should be carved in the rocks; St Domenica which was an underground chapel located roughly on the cliffs over the valley of Xlendi on

1560-830: Was formally born in Britain in the late 1980s with the establishment of the Urban Villages Group (UVG). Following pressure from the UVG, the concept was prioritized in British national planning policy between 1997 and 1999. Urban villages also come in the form of suburbs of metropolitan areas that are politically designated as villages. Urban village ideals have been applied to new greenfield and brownfield developments and urban renewal projects. The concept has been widely adopted in many countries and used by both government development agencies as well as private enterprise as

1600-406: Was nuclear safe. But this mill was never used after being built. This village has a great topography with quite steep cliffs on the side and a valley on the back which takes rain water from the villages surrounding it (Kerċem, Munxar, Fontana and Victoria ) into the bay. During the British rule, Xlendi's bay was sandy, but with the passage of time, water from the valley and human interference, it

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