56-520: Għajnsielem ( Maltese pronunciation: [ɐɪ̯nˈsɪːlɛm] ; meaning "Spring of Sielem") is a municipality on the southeastern coast of the island of Gozo in Malta , including the entire island of Comino . It has a population of 3,200 residents (as of March 2014), and is the first Gozitan village that greets the visitor on leaving Mġarr Harbour towards the Gozitan heartland. Its name originated from
112-486: A fast catamaran service between Gozo and Valletta as well as between Gozo and Sicily ." In June 2013, the services would be aimed for use by both tourists and the Maltese and would involve public service obligations. An airstrip for fixed-wing aircraft on Gozo was proposed in the 1990s, but rejected for environmental reasons. In June 2013 the government announced a plan "to issue a call for expressions of interest for
168-424: A helicopter service which connected the two ceased operations in 2006. Visitors can currently reach the island by ferry. There are regular crossings between the port of Mġarr on Gozo and Ċirkewwa on the northwest coast of Malta. The Gozo Channel Line makes the trip every 45 minutes during the summer and almost as often in the winter. A return journey costs €4.65 and takes around 25 minutes each way. The service
224-479: A permanent presence there. A settler is also called a pioneer if the land that they migrated to was previously uninhabited or sparsely populated. Settlers come from a sedentary society , which has developed in a generally fixed geographical location, in contrast to a nomadic society , which does not have a fixed habitat and moves around seasonally with various settlements. The process of settling land can be, and has often been, controversial: while human migration
280-423: A seismic study. The University of Malta conducted a marine baseline study which incorporated a geological model of topography , stratigraphy , structure, geological, geophysical and tectonic properties of the study area. During this phase of the study, scientists deployed a 300-metre-long cable with a series of specialised receptors. An 'air gun' released bursts of compressed air every few metres. The compressed air
336-533: Is Għawdex , itself descended from Arabic غَوْدَش ( ḡawdaš ), ultimately from the Phoenician root 𐤂-𐤅-𐤋 ( g-w-l ). In Classical times it was known as Gaulos ( Γαῦλος ), later as Gaudos , from which the Arabic name derives. Gozo has been inhabited since 5000 BC, when farmers from nearby Sicily crossed the sea to the island. Due to the discovery of similar pottery found in both places from
392-563: Is Podarcis filjolensis – the Maltese wall lizard. The island of Gozo also has its own national football team . Because it is a part of Malta and not a state on its own this team isn't official and thereby is on the N.F.-Board . Gozo F.C. used to represent Gozo in the Maltese League, whilst a Gozo Football League is also maintained. Football on the island is managed by the Gozo Football Association . There
448-478: Is a normal phenomenon by itself, it has not been uncommon throughout human history for settlers to have arrived in already-inhabited lands without the intention of living alongside the native population . In these cases, the conflict that arises between the settlers and the natives (or Indigenous peoples ) may result in the dispossession of the latter within the contested territory, usually violently. While settlers can act independently, they may receive support from
504-709: Is also a rugby club in Gozo; the Gozo Rugby Club opened its doors in 2011 and nowadays competes in the Malta Rugby Football Union and Malta Rugby League competition. The Malta campus of Queen Mary University of London is based in Gozo. It is designated an undergraduate medical school, with the same curriculum taught as the main UK campus. There is a branch of MCAST in Għajnsielem as well. Gozo
560-585: Is an island in the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea . The island is part of the Republic of Malta . After the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago. As of 2021, the island has a population of around 31,232 (out of Malta's total 443,227), and its inhabitants are known as Gozitans ( Maltese : Għawdxin ). It is rich in historic locations such as
616-464: Is an ongoing phenomenon. The usage is controversial to some. In the Middle East and North Africa , there are a number of references to various squatter and specific policies that are referred to as settler-oriented in nature. Among those: The reasons for the emigration of settlers vary, but often they include the following factors and incentives: the desire to start a new and better life in
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#1732780951747672-417: Is particularly known for its local cheeselet , ġbejna t'Għawdex . Gozo has two opera houses. Astra and Aurora are owned by rival band clubs that both trace their founding to 1863. For over a century, they have been one-upping each other in everything from musical performances to feast-day celebrations. Once, when Aurora heard rumors that Astra planned to bring a horse onstage during a performance of Aida ,
728-627: Is the island Homer described as Ogygia , home of the nymph Calypso . Diodorus Siculus writes that the island had many well harbours. Gozo was occupied by the Carthaginians , who built a temple to Astarte on the islands. At some point in time most probably it fell to the Greeks, because of local coins on the island with the Greek inscription ΓΑΥΛΙΤΩΝ. It was probably annexed by Rome around 218 BC and minted its own bronze coins in
784-468: Is used by tourists and commuters (including Gozitan students who study at the University of Malta ), and is also used to transport goods between the islands. Each year, the route is used by around 1.1 million cars, and many more foot passengers. On arrival at Mġarr, visitors can take one of the 'Hop On Hop Off' buses, which depart from outside the ferry terminal and operate on a timetable synchronised to
840-400: Is €4.50 and for non-resident adults is €12.00. Several proposals have been made to construct a road link between Malta and Gozo. In 1972 the newly elected Labour Party administration carried out a feasibility study that concluded building a bridge between the two islands was possible, but would have negative environmental effects. A tunnel was also considered, but found to be too expensive at
896-595: The American English use of "pioneer" to refer to a settler – a person who has migrated to a less occupied area and established permanent residence there, often to colonize the area; as first recorded in English in 1605. In United States history , it refers to the Europeans who were part of the process of settling new lands on Indigenous territories . In this usage, pioneers are usually among
952-615: The Americas in the 15th century), the terms "East Indian" and "Asian Indian" are also used to differentiate Indians from the Indigenous peoples of the United States. The process by which Indigenous territories are settled by foreign peoples is usually called settler colonialism . It relies upon a process of often violent dispossession. In the figurative usage, a "person who goes first or does something first" also applies to
1008-595: The Għar Dalam phase , it has been suggested that the first colonists were specifically from the area of Agrigento ; however, it is currently unknown exactly where in Sicily the farmers came from. They are thought to have first lived in caves on the outskirts of what is now San Lawrenz . Gozo was an important place for cultural evolution, and during the Neolithic period the Ġgantija temples were built; they are amongst
1064-708: The Indigenous peoples of the Americas and Indigenous Australians , such as Aborigines , First Nations , or Native Americans . In the United States , the terms "Indian" and "American Indian" are still common, but controversial. In order to avoid confusion with actual Indians or Indian Americans (as the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus mistakenly believed that he had arrived in India when he discovered
1120-574: The Inland Sea and Wied il-Mielaħ Window . There are a few sandy beaches on the island, namely Ramla Bay in Xagħra and Nadur , as well as seaside resorts that are popular with both locals and tourists, the most popular being Marsalforn and Xlendi . Gozo is considered one of the top diving destinations in the Mediterranean and a centre for water sports. The name of the island in Maltese
1176-475: The Tallinja Card holders. However, as from October 2022, riding a bus in both Malta and Gozo has become free for residents of Malta. The Explorer Card is valid for 7-days, costs 35€ and gives you unlimited travel by bus. The user can hop on and off anytime and has some benefits like cheaper tallinja bikes. A 'Hop-on, Hop-off' tourist bus service operates in Gozo. The open top bus tour of Gozo starts from
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#17327809517471232-522: The uprising against French forces after Napoleon 's conquest of Malta. Gozo then enjoyed a short period of autonomy until the French garrison in Valletta surrendered on 4 September 1800. On that day both Malta and Gozo became a British Protectorate before becoming a Crown colony in 1813. The Gozo Civic Council was set up as a statutory local government in the island of Gozo on 14 April 1961,
1288-553: The Ġgantija temples, which, along with the other Megalithic Temples of Malta , are amongst the world's oldest free-standing structures. The island is rural in character and less developed than the island of Malta. Gozo is known for its scenic hills, which are featured on its coat of arms . The Azure Window in Dwejra, San Lawrenz , a natural limestone arch, was a remarkable geological feature until its collapse on March 8, 2017. The island has other notable natural features, including
1344-674: The 1st century BC. These feature Astarte's head with a crescent obverse and a warrior, a star, and the legend Gaulitōn ( ‹See Tfd› Greek : ΓΑΥΛΙΤΩΝ ) reverse . In 1530, Charles, Duke of Burgendy gifted the island along with Malta to the Knights Hospitalier . In July 1551, the Ottomans under Sinan Pasha and Dragut invaded and ravaged Gozo, enslaving most of its 5,000 inhabitants, bringing them to Tarhuna Wa Msalata in Libya . Their departure port in Gozo
1400-678: The German ship until her pursuers can catch up with her. In 1969, Anthony Newley directed the beach scenes of Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? starring Joan Collins at Ramla Bay. In 1978, Kevin Connor's film Warlords of Atlantis starring Doug McClure was shot in Marsalforn Bay . Two days of shooting in Gozo's strong Mediterranean light provided shots used to represent
1456-471: The Maltese islands used for the 2011 HBO TV series Game of Thrones . The film By the Sea , starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt was partially filmed at Mġarr ix-Xini from August to November 2014. The British television series The Madame Blanc Mysteries was filmed on the island in 2021. Colonist A settler is, in the broadest sense, a person who migrates to a new region to establish
1512-582: The area were the magnet that attracted the first inhabitants that eventually led to the prosperity of the place. The following is a list of prominent places, buildings and structures in the village. Għajnsielem is twinned with: Gozo Gozo ( / ˈ ɡ oʊ z oʊ / , US also / ˈ ɡ ɔː d z oʊ , ˈ ɡ ɔː t s oʊ / ; Maltese : Għawdex , Maltese: [ˈɐːˤʊ̯dɛʃ] ), in antiquity known as Gaulos ( Punic : 𐤂𐤅𐤋 , romanized: GWL ; Ancient Greek : Γαῦλος , romanized : Gaúlos ),
1568-476: The beach at Ramla Bay . Gozo is known to be very hilly. Research shows that there are at least 31 hills and hillocks on the small island. The best known "three hills" are the Xagħra hill, the Nadur hill, and Żebbuġ . Other smaller hills and hillocks include Il-Gelmus , Ta' Ġordan, and ta' Dabrani. Gozo is known for Nadur carnival . Feasts are important traditions on the island and are held in honour of
1624-510: The bridge by 2020. The idea of building a bridge is opposed by environmentalists and NGOs such as Din l-Art Ħelwa and Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar. An 11 km underground sub-seabed tunnel has been proposed in a report on the viability of a Gozo-Malta tunnel link by the Gozo Business Chamber (GBC) together with Transport Malta (TM). The Gozo Business Chamber is organising a presentation by economist Gordon Cordina, of
1680-481: The competing house—which was presenting its own Aida —secretly cast two horses. Some locals on the island compare the rivalry to an arms race . During the summer months on Gozo, you will often see the Maltese wall lizard . The lizard was originally thought to be a variety of the common wall lizard ( Podarcis muralis ) of mainland Europe. For example, the naturalist Andrew Leith Adams writing in 1870 reported "the common lizard ( Podarcis mura/is )" as occurring on
1736-596: The council, putting emphasis on the unpopular possibility of its raising taxes. In the Gozo Civic Council referendum, 1973 , 76.97% voters voted for the abolition of the Gozo Civic Council. In the mid-1980s, attempts were made to set up a Gozo committee, chaired by the prime minister and with the Gozitan members of Parliament as members. However, it was only in 1987 that the Ministry of Gozo
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1792-508: The desolate surface of the alien planet in the 1981 British horror film Inseminoid . In 1981, parts of Episode 7 from Brideshead Revisited were filmed on the island, particularly in Kerċem , to depict Fez in Morocco . Gozo was the location for Calypso's island in the 1997 Hallmark miniseries The Odyssey based on Homer's epic poem. Dwejra was one of several filming locations in
1848-478: The detailed report about the feasibility of a 'Gozo-Malta Subsea Tunnel. In 2015, members from the GBC together with representatives from TM also visited Norway, where they spoke with experts, and toured several underwater tunnels. In December 2015, a group of students joined forces to create 'Front Favur il-Mina' to support a permanently-connected, tunnel project between Malta and its sister island. Several MPs endorsed
1904-505: The ferry timetables. Public buses, taxis and hire cars are also available. Gozo Fast Ferry , an independently operated company, offers approximately 45-minute crossings between the Grand Harbour in Valletta , Malta and the port of Mġarr, Gozo. The ferries can seat 300 passengers and can reach a top speed of 32 knots. The ferries operate Monday through Friday and make five round trips daily. The round trip fare for Gozitan residents
1960-519: The first experiment in civil local government in Malta since Gozo's short period of autonomy between 1798 and 1800. The law authorised the council to raise taxes, although it never actually made use of this power. In 1971, the Malta Labour Party was voted into office. As its support in Gozo was weak and it favoured a more centralised administration, it proposed a referendum on the abolition of
2016-652: The first to an area, whereas settlers can arrive after first settlement and join others in the process of human settlement . This correlates with the work of military pioneers , who were tasked with construction of camps before the main body of troops would arrive at the designated campsite. The Russian Empire regularly invited Russian subjects and foreign nationals to settle in sparsely populated lands, mostly in North Asia , but also in Central Asia . These settlers were called colonists. These projects resulted in
2072-463: The government of their country or empire or from a non-governmental organization as part of a larger campaign. The lifestyle of a native population is often disturbed or destroyed if they come into contact with a settler population that seeks to replace them. Many times throughout history, settlers occupied land that was previously inhabited by long-established peoples, who are designated as native or Indigenous . Additional terms may be used to describe
2128-518: The group. A catamaran service (fast ferry) to Gozo, ferry trips from the Grand Harbour and ultimately a tunnel linking Malta with the sister island are the main proposals pushed forward by the pressure group. Addressing a conference in Gozo organised by the pro-tunnel movement, Joseph Muscat said "The government intends to move forward with a project linking the two islands." Furthermore, former opposition leader Simon Busuttil confirmed during
2184-480: The harbour of Mġarr and there are stops located along the route. In Gozo, there are 2 providers, City Sightseeing Gozo and Gozo Sightseeing. As of 2021, the island has a population of 39,287, of whom 7,242 live in its capital city Victoria . Since the 2011 census, the population increased by 25%. Gozo is famed for its places of interest. Some of these include the Calypso's Cave (from Homer's Odyssey , where
2240-691: The inception of Slavo-Serbia , Volga Germans , Volhynia , and Russians in Kazakhstan , among other phenomena. Although settlers in the early modern era frequently made use of sea routes—significant waves of settlement could also use long overland routes, such as the Great Trek by the Boer - Afrikaners in South Africa , or the Oregon Trail in the United States. Anthropologists record
2296-469: The island is called Ogygia ) and the Ġgantija Neolithic temples which are amongst the oldest surviving man-made structures. Gozo covers 67 square kilometres (26 sq mi), approximately the same area as New York City 's Manhattan island. It lies approximately 6 kilometres (4 mi) northwest of Malta, is of oval form, and is 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) long and 7.25 kilometres (4.50 mi) wide. Notable beaches in Gozo include San Blas and
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2352-468: The islands. In 1876, Dr. J. Bedriaga named this Maltese variety filjolensis since the animals he studied came from the islet of Filfla . Later studies, however, showed that the lizards of the Maltese Islands were actually quite different from the common wall lizard or any other species in the region and therefore Bedriaga's filjolensis became established as a distinct species whose full modern name
2408-484: The next. Although Arriva ceased to operate in Gozo and Malta in January 2014, their old vehicles are still being utilised and most routes remain the same, although there have been some amendments and additions. The most noticeable change at the moment is that the discrepancy between resident and non-resident fares has been abolished with all passengers now paying €2.50 for a 2-hour ticket, although other fares apply for
2464-527: The operation of a scheduled air service between Malta and Gozo". Many of the distances within villages are negligible and some of the roads are fairly quiet to walk along. However, there is often heavy traffic in the capital, Victoria and between Victoria and Mġarr. There is also a footpath network, although the paths require good shoes and are not always clearly marked on the ground. There are longer distances if travelling between different villages, ranging from 1 to 5 km (1 to 3 mi) from one village to
2520-460: The patron saint of each village. The celebrations include religious ceremonies, fireworks and live band music, some feature horse racing , concerts, and a greasy pole competition over the water. The local feast allows time for Gozitans to meet. In Nadur , many locals dress up in colourful, outrageous carnival costumes, with the intention of not being recognised. Some of Maltese dishes or variants of these dishes are associated with Gozo. Gozo
2576-407: The possibility of calling a referendum to determine whether Gozitans prefer a tunnel or a bridge to connect Malta and Gozo". The study found out that the bridge would take four years to build and construction would cost €1 billion. Apart from this, operation and maintenance costs are estimated to cost up to €4 million every year; China Communications Construction Corporation Limited proposed to build
2632-509: The same conference, that the Nationalist Party was in favour of the project and willing to cooperate with the government. The University of Malta carried out geological and geophysical investigations in connection with a proposed sub-sea tunnel between Malta and Gozo following an agreement with Transport Malta. Scientific investigations included both desktop and field studies, passive seismic measurements, bathymetric mapping, and
2688-517: The time. An online poll by The Times of Malta in 2006 found that 55% of respondents supported a road link. In June 2013 a "mega Chinese state-owned company [ China Communications Construction Corporation Limited ] will finance a €4 million study to assess the feasibility of a bridge between Malta and Gozo." "Depending on the feasibility of the tunnel and bridge projects, popular consultation will take place giving particular weight to what Gozitans have to say." "Gozo Minister Anton Refalo alluded to
2744-720: The tribal displacement of native settlers who drive another tribe from the lands it held, such as the settlement of lands in the area now called Carmel-by-the-Sea, California , where the Ohlone people settled in areas that were previously inhabited by the Esselen people . In Canada , the term "settler" is currently used to describe "the non-Indigenous peoples living in Canada who form the European-descended sociopolitical majority" and thereby asserting that settler colonialism
2800-529: The village of Xewkija , has a capacity of 3,000, enough for the entire population of Xewkija village; its dome is larger than that of St Paul's Cathedral in London. The church bells are rung daily for the canonical hours Matins, Lauds, Terce, Sext, None and vespers. The most famous church on the island is the sanctuary of Ta' Pinu , near the village of Għarb , in the northwest of Gozo. The islands have historically been connected by air and sea links. However,
2856-446: The water spring, around which in 1700, Grandmaster Perellos built an arcade containing public wash basins and fresh water spouts. Attractions include Lourdes Chapel with its sharp steeple and underlying niche of Our Lady of Lourdes , Fort Chambray and the towering of Ghajnsielem Parish Church. The Latin motto of Ghajnsielem is Ob fontem prosperitas, that is Flourishing because of a spring – Nistaghna b’nixxiegha ilma. The springs in
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#17327809517472912-609: The world's oldest free-standing structures, as well as the world's oldest religious structures. The temple's name is Maltese for "belonging to the giants", because legend in Maltese and Gozitan folklore says the temples were built by giants. Another important Maltese archaeological site in Gozo, which dates back to the Neolithic period, is the Xagħra Stone Circle . Also, native tradition and certain ancient Greek historians (notably Euhemerus and Callimachus ) maintain that Gozo
2968-577: Was Mġarr ix-Xini . The island of Gozo was repopulated between 1565 and 1580 by mainland Maltese, undertaken by the Knights of Malta . The history of Gozo is strongly coupled with the history of Malta , since Gozo has been governed by Malta throughout history. The brief exception was following the French garrison's surrender to the British under Captain Alexander Ball on 28 October 1798 during
3024-456: Was reflected to the receptors. Different geological layers reflect different frequencies. Scientists could thus determine the geological formations that lie beneath the surface and determine possible cracks. Following such tests, more tests will be carried out; these will consist in the drilling of a series of boreholes, up to 200 metres below the sea bed, to determine the rock strata below the surface. "Expressions of interest have been issued for
3080-585: Was set up (demoted to a parliamentary secretariat between 1996 and 1998). Local government in the Gozitan localities was restored with the introduction of local councils in 1993 with Gozo having 14 councils. The island has its own Latin bishopric, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gozo , the only suffragan of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Malta . Gozo contains a large number of Catholic churches. The Rotunda of Xewkija , in
3136-442: Was used to depict "Resolution Island" in the 1953 film Single-Handed , based on C. S. Forester 's book Brown on Resolution . For much of the film, the German raider Essen (depicted by HMS Manxman ) is holed up in the semi-circular Dwejra Bay, behind Fungus Rock on the west coast of Gozo, and there are several scenes set amongst the desolate limestone cliffs above the bay as Able Seaman Brown single-handedly detains
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