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St. Mary’s Cemetery Until the early 1930s, burials in Żebbuġ took place either in the parish church of the Assumption or in the adjacent cemetery that is recorded next to the previously existing chapel of Santa Marija tal-Virtù. Burials inside the church were banned in the beginning of the 20th century. However, the idea of…

The World War II Air Raid Shelter was dug out in rock at Triq iż-Żebbuġ,formerly known as It-Triq T’Abram, in the cliff edge area located a fewmeters from the entrance of the village – on the way from Victoria –to give refuge to the villagers who lived in Il-Ponta area during air raids.Although Żebbuġ did…

The Santa Marija Band/Santa Marija Philharmonic Society Malta has a long history of musical bands that dates back to the nineteenth century. The role of military bands during British rule inspired the community to establish bands and musical societies in Maltese cities and villages. Thus, bands became an integral part of social and cultural life…

Stella Maris Retreat House has, for the last 40 years, provided a serene space where visitors and pilgrims could spend time of reflection and prayers. Originally built by the Missionary Society of St Paul, the house initially served as a noviciate where new members joining the society were prepared before actually fully joining the society.…

While approaching the school from St. Andrew Street with its iron gate and high plastered walls, one may think of it as a completely unassuming public building. However, on a closer look inside, one immediately notices the majestic space within. A modernist U-shaped structure with rows of concrete columns supporting long open air corridors connected…

Early references to the church The church of the Assumption – originally a small chapel – is firstrecorded in a 1540 document which states that Joanne Peribon,widow of James, bequeathed a sheep to this church. The church wassubsequently enlarged in 1644 having been profaned in 1637. It seems that it was reopened in 1667, when…

One of the typical characteristics of Maltese and Gozitan streetscapesare the niches that decorate houses. These niches are usually made oflocal globigerina limestone. However other materials such as woodand wrought iron were also used. Usually, the niches would contain astatue and in some cases paintings or other devotional images. Streetniches are usually either located at…

The prehistoric history of Żebbuġ is still very sketchy and largelyunstudied. There are various references in historical accounts – someeven dating back to the 18th century – which mention important findsin Żebbuġ. These include Aguis de Soldanis’s referencesto the retrieval of an alabaster statue representing Dea Flora in the area known as It-Taflija and some…

Xwejni beach is one of the most picturesque beaches in Gozo. This is because of the beauty of the sea that surrounds it but also because of the surrounding geological rock formations. These include the cliffs, which because they are made of limestone, have been eroded by salt, creating a very interesting smooth surface The…

The coast which spans from Qbajjar to Reqqa Point is synonymous with salt production. In fact the historical saltpans, which still cater for the island’s salt demand, are located within an area of about three kilometres. From above, the saltpans seem like a big checkboard. Each pan or reservoir – traditionally called skandlor – has…