Għarb

Għarb
L-Għarb
Garbo
Local council

Collegiate Basilica of the Visitation

Flag
Coat of arms
Motto: In Estremo Vigilat
(Sentinel at the Borderline)
Coordinates: 36°3′40″N 14°12′33″E / 36.06111°N 14.20917°E / 36.06111; 14.20917Coordinates: 36°3′40″N 14°12′33″E / 36.06111°N 14.20917°E / 36.06111; 14.20917
Country  Malta
Region Gozo Region
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

Sister cities

References

  1. ↑ "Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014". Government of Malta. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 21 June 2015.
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