The big adventure to Gozo was the day’s plan and the fast boat from Valletta would take me there. After waking up and getting my normal coffee, admiring the sunrise and getting my camera gear ready, I set off catching the number 16 bus to Valletta. I then made the short walk down to the ferry that would take me to Gozo, an island north west of Malta’s mainland. I was able to buy a return ticket for €15 but had to specify my return time, so I chose 5.15pm. I figured this would give me plenty of time on the island as I was heading there on the 8.45am ferry.
The fast ferry takes roughly 45 minutes to make the journey from Valletta, out of the harbour and up the north coast of Malta. On the way it passes the smaller island of Comino and docks on the south of Gozo. Together the islands make up the nation of Malta. Soon we were setting off and I took in the views out of the window all the way to my destination.
Upon arrival everyone jumped off the ferry and on the first bus they found, being in no rush I decided to wait for the next one as it was somewhat crammed. Soon enough the next bus came and I enjoyed a plesant ride on the 301 to Victoria, taking in the island as we went. I had lots planned to see and decided it would be best to get straight to it when I arrived. This was not too bad as, unbeknownst to me, many of the attractions I had planned to see were in fact quite small. All of them however were included in my Heritage ticket I had gotten early in the week.
First up was the Gozo Museum of Archaeology. There were three rooms downstairs to check out and wander around then a second floor of all sorts of archaeology going back to pre-historic man. I have put a link below if you want to take a deeper look into the museum, or do a virtual tour. I have a personal and avid interest in history as anyone who has read previous posts will have realised, but I really do have a gap in my knowledge when it comes to the stone age. The inhabitants of Gozo were able to use minimal resources for survival, whilst keeping contact with Sicily. Follow the link to learn more. Gozo Museum of Archaeology – Heritage Malta
After the Archaeology Museum I had a short wander around Victoria which lead me to my next stop, the Natural Science Museum. The many stops I intended to make were all a stone’s throw from each other in the Cittadella in Victoria, a fortified city. The Natural Science Museum was quite small as were many places that I visited that day but the proximity of all these locations made it completely worth the trip. Again, I have placed a link for the Natural Science Museum on Heritage Malta, it also offers a virtual tour for those interested. Gozo Nature Museum – Heritage Malta
The next stops on the list were The Old Prison and Gran Castello Historic House, both in keeping with the small visitor attractions. The Old Prison is really what it says on the tin giving visitors the chance to go into cells that held criminals from the past. One of those was Jean Parisot de La Valette himself who spent four months there in 1538 for assault. The prison maintained its function until 1962! After a short wander I found myself at the Gran Castello Historic House, which is an example of a 18th Century house. One of the main features of the house that surpised me was the very large mill that would have been worked by animals in what was simply discribed as “the mill room”! Once again, I have placed links for both the prison and house, and again you can do a virtual tour of the prison but sadly not the house. The Old Prison – Heritage Malta Gran Castello Historic House – Heritage Malta
The final stop for me in the Cittadella was the Cathedral of the Assumption. Having recently been to St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta I did not expect to see such grandure, and although I was right it was not as grand, it was in fact very impressive. Inlcuded in the entry ticket was the opportunity to enter the Cathedral Museum, which was also very interesting. Most cathedral museums are adorned with gold crosses, virges, various robes and other such finery. Whilst the museum did indeed have these things it also had framed on the walls various letters from the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Many of these are from previous popes with a wide range of discussion topics including a document that allowed the used of the Eight Pointed cross, now known as the Maltese Cross.
Embeded into the alter of the cathedral was a depiction of Jesus sharing food with two dicisples on the road to Emmaus. The ceiling above the alter is painted (as most cathedrals are) and one would be forgiven for thinking they missed the domed roof when they entered. In fact the ceiling is painted to give the affect of a domed roof that the cathedral does not have. At the wrong angle it looks a little odd, however at the right one it really does seem as though there is a dome. Follow the link if you would like more information on the cathedral Home – Gozo Cathedral
After the cathedral I decided it was time for a little wander but also a quick cheese Pastizzi and rest. I must confess I prefered the chicken one I had the day before but sadly cheese was the only option. My time at Victoria had come to an end, but my time in Gozo continued as I grabbed the 307 bus to Ggantija Archeological Park, another fantastic example of Temple Culture in Malta. Ggantija means place of the giants and that was clear when visiting the site as it was without doubt the largest pre-historic site I visited on my trip, with an impressive still standing structure. Follow the link for more. Ġgantija Archaeological Park – Heritage Malta
After a wander around the site I realised that my Heritage Ticket would get me into one more location on Gozo, and not wanting to leave that one thing off, I popped round to see Ta’ Kola Windmill, but sadly it was shut, so follow the link to learn more as I had to! Ta’ Kola Windmill
At this point I had three choices: slowly head back to the ferry terminal with plenty of time to spare, head to Ramla Bay or visit Mixta cave, over looking the bay. I decided to get the 322 bus to Ramla Bay, as I had a rather full day already and could do with relaxing. Soon I arrived and set up on some rocks looking out to sea. Naturally, my adventurous side soon won out as I spied a path up the hill to the cave. I quickly consulted google maps and the bus timetable. If I went up to the cave I could take photos, then walk down to the main road and get the 4.24pm bus back to the ferry. Great! The walk up was not as easy as I thought it would be and I was glad the plan wasn’t in reverse and I was slipping down hill!
Soon I arrived at the cave with bemusement on the faces of those already there as I had appeared seemingly out of nowhere and got right in the background of their photos (sorry!). I shuffled to the side and took some of my own, one of which is the title picture of this post. I then decided to begin the walk to the bus stop, with plenty of time. I say with plenty of time because I definitely did not miss the bus! It never came! So I found myself with 45 minutes until my ferry, on the wrong side of the island and added to this, my phone was just about to run out of battery. So I got my head down and started double timing it back to the ferry terminal! To my amazement I arrived just as the ferry pulled in to dock. I would like to take this opportunity to state that Google Maps estimates the walk takes an hour and 15 minutes – not to mention I was carrying all of my rather large camera equipment. As I lept onto the ferry my phone gave up the ghost and died. I would say I enjoyed the 45 minute ferry ride back to Valletta but I simply recoved from the hike!
Soon I was back in Valletta and with a hop, skip and jump I was back at the hotel in Sliema, very tired and looking forward to the rest day I had planned the next day. Though, best laid plans of mice and men and all that, naturally I found something else to do. That’s for next time.
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