In the Northern Region of Malta, lies a small settlement. Numerous farms, spacious pastures, and picturesque vineyards surround this town on every side. The charming settlement has managed to keep its architectural and historical landmarks until the present day, and so thousands of tourists from different parts of the world arrive to explore this beautiful region of the country. Mgarr and its surroundings are perfectly suitable for outdoor recreation and strolling. Do you like to combine leisure pastime with sightseeing? This small town has many fabulous areas that are worth to be present on the list of the natural treasures of Malta.
The history of the settlement with an unusual name – Mgarr – started in the middle of the 13th century. Initially, this was a village, residents of which were mostly engaged in fishing. First inhabitants in Malta appeared on the island much earlier – long before our age. During the Neolithic period, ancient people were building megalithic temples in Malta, and many of them have survived until the present day. In 1551, the Ottoman fleet led by Sinan Pasha and accompanied by Dragun attacked the territory of the island. This was a tough period for residents of Malta because the invaders were plundering the houses of local people and turning them to slaves.
There are no beaches in Mgarr, but several coastal areas near the town are suitable for beach recreation. Mgarr ix-Xini remains one of the most popular recreational areas in this region. It is very popular with tourists, and locals also don’t mind spending their free time here. This is an incredibly beautiful and unusual place that is worth visiting at least for the sake of taking pictures. Gloomy looking rocks surround the charmingly small beach. This is an ideal place to enjoy precious minutes together with the family or alone. Even though Mgarr ix-Xini is a pebble beach, it is comfortable to walk and lie here. The area is always calm and serene.
Mgarr ix-Xini is a wonderful choice for vacationers with small children. The coastal water is shallow, so kids can play here safely. Parents do not need to worry about their little swimmers. Simply show your kid the area where he or she can swim. Because of rocks, this area has no high waves or strong currents. Do you like diving? Mgarr ix-Xini offers a mesmerizing adventure to the underwater caves and a pleasant acquaintance with local marine fauna. Besides that, divers can swim to the sunken ferry – the ferry was sunken on purpose to entertain curious divers.
Besides beach recreation and admiration of the local underwater world, guests of Gozo Island can always explore local attractions, many of which are very old. One of them, the Ta’ Hagrat Temple Complex, is located not far from the town of Mgarr. This is not just another old temple but one of the oldest religious sites on Earth. The temple complex consists of two main parts. The Major Temple was built approximately in 3600 BC, and the Minor Temple was built three centuries after the completion of the complex’s main part.
There were several rounds of the archaeological excavations on the site of the temple complex. During them, scientists discovered ceramics of different epochs. This once again proves the theory that there was a settlement near the Ta’ Hagrat. All parts of the complex are made from an ancient material that was typical during the prehistoric period – lower coralline limestone. The ancient temple looks different from the typical temples of Malta, and this makes it even more interesting to visit Ta’ Hagrat.
To get to Mgarr, tourists first need to arrive at the only international airport in Malta. After that, get on a daily bus that takes passengers to the ferry in Cirkewwa Harbor. This part of the journey lasts roughly forty-five minutes. The next part of the road is a ferry ride that goes directly to Mgarr. The marine part of the journey is also not long – roughly half an hour. To get to the hotel, tourists can catch a taxi in the port or use public buses.
Sightseeing in Malta: things to see
The capital of the country, Valetta, is a true open air museum. The city is rich in beautiful churches, medieval palaces and fortresses. The Grandmaster’s Palace is considered the most beautiful building on the island. Nowadays, the palace is used as a residence of the president. Tourists are also recommended to visit St. Elmo Fortress and St. John’s Cathedral. These buildings of the 16th century are in wonderful condition and unleash the beauty and luxury of past centuries. Many palaces have been transformed into museums – Provence Palace is home to the largest Archaeological Museum in the country. The building of Admiralty has been turned into the Museum of Fine Arts.
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