Għarb
Għarb L-Għarb Garbo | |||
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Local council | |||
Collegiate Basilica of the Visitation | |||
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Motto: In Estremo Vigilat (Sentinel at the Borderline) | |||
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Coordinates: 36°3′40″N 14°12′33″E / 36.06111°N 14.20917°ECoordinates: 36°3′40″N 14°12′33″E / 36.06111°N 14.20917°E | |||
Country |
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Region |
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District | Gozo and Comino District | ||
Borders | Kerċem, Għasri, San Lawrenz | ||
Government | |||
• Mayor | David Apap Aguis (PN) | ||
Area | |||
• Total | 4.6 km2 (1.8 sq mi) | ||
Population (March 2014) | |||
• Total | 1,539 | ||
• Density | 330/km2 (870/sq mi) | ||
Demonym(s) | Tal-Għarb | ||
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
Postal code | GRB | ||
Dialing code | 356 | ||
ISO 3166 code | MT-14 | ||
Patron saint | Visitation of Our Lady to Saint Elizabeth | ||
Website | Official website |
Għarb (Maltese: L-Għarb) is a village located at the westernmost point of the island of Gozo, Malta, with a population of 1,539 people (as of March 2014).[1]
Għarb started life as a small hamlet centuries ago. The word Għarb means West in Arabic, so it should be no surprise that the village is the most westerly place on Gozo. One can see its ancient roots in the centre of the village where some houses have fine examples of decorated stone balconies. Għarb was created as a parish in 1679, a move which gave impetus for the building of a new, baroque parish church. Built between 1699 and 1729, it has an elegant façade which has been compared with Francesco Borromini's Church of Saint Agnes in Piazza Navona, Rome. The village square, so quintessentially Gozitan, has become the view on many a postcard. On the square is a folklore museum housing all sorts of memorabilia retelling the Islands' rural history. Għarb lies in some of Gozo's most scenic countryside, particularly at Dbieġi, the highest hill on the Island. Also at Dbieġi is a centre for Gozitan crafts. Within the limits of Għarb is the Chapel of San Dimitri. According to legend, the first chapel was built on the cliff side by a woman whose son was freed from captivity by St. Demetrius. Also nearby is the Basilica ta' Pinu, Malta's pre-eminent shrine to the Virgin Mary. It was on this spot in 1883, that a local woman heard the voice of the Virgin. The parish church is dedicated to the visitation of Saint Mary to her cousin Saint Elizabeth. The late Karmni Grima and Frenċ tal-Għarb are two of its most renowned villagers.
Zones in Għarb
- Birbuba
- Ħodba
- Il-Wileġ
- San Katald
- Ta' Lamuta
- Ta' Pinu
- Ta' Santu Pietru
- Il-Fgura
- Taż-Żejt
- il-wilga
- Wied tal-Knisja
- Wied il-Mielaħ
- Ta' Ħries
- Fuq il-blata
- Tat-trux
- Il-misrah
Sister cities
References
- ↑ "Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014". Government of Malta. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 21 June 2015.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Għarb. |