A
Brief Information about the Village of Xaghra.
The village of Xaghra
rises on a hill on the north east of the capital city
of Victoria. Its name refers to the wilderness, referring
to the state of the hill before it was inhabited.
On the road leading to Rabat, from
Xaghra one finds the Ggantija Temples, which is one
of Xaghra’s main attractions. These temples are
famous for being the oldest man made, free-standing
temples in the world. One can enter into these temples
and be able to admire them fully and with detail. Just
about a half a kilometer to the north of the temples,
there is the Stone Circle (sometimes also referred as
Brockdorff Circle), which is an underground cemetery
with megalithic tombs of the temple builders. Further
up at the end of Santa Verna Street, there is a Neolithic
site, consisting of a group of three upright megaliths
in the middle of the fields.
One can also find Ta’ Kola Windmill
just off the Ggantija Temples, which was built in 1725.
This mill served as a very good use in the Second World
War, saving many from starvation. In the early 1990’s,
it was restored and today it serves as a museum filled
with antique farmers’ mechanisms. It is an attraction
to most of the tourists which visit the island. Another
unique attraction found in this village is the Toy Museum.
On the edge of the town, overlooking
Ramla Bay, one can find the legendary cave of Calypso.
Once inside this cave, one can admire very picturesque
scenes of Ramla Bay and the valley. Just off the village
square, there are Xerri’s Grotto and Ninu’s
Cave. These caves are famous for their stalagmites and
stalactites found in them, which were formed over vast
periods of time.
The parish church of Xaghra is dedicated
to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, locally known as
Il-Bambina or Il-Vitorja, “The Victory”.
Local people call it “The Victory” because
it celebrates the Knights over Islam. It dates back
from the first years of the nineteenth century which
was built by the Sicilians. Its interior is richly decorated
with gilt sculptures, Italian marbles and paintings.
This Basilica’s main attraction is the beautiful
statue of the young Virgin Mary, Il-Bambina, brought
from Marseilles in 1878. |
