Island of Gozo

Gozo, the second largest island of the Maltese Archipelago that consists of three islands known as Gozo, Comino and mainland Malta, is known to provide a tranquil haven for a tempo and scene change. Gozo though separated from mainland Malta by just a 5km stretch of Mediterranean sea is distinctly different from Malta and the charm of the sister Island is immediately apparent; it’s greener, more rural and smaller, with life’s rhythms dictated by the seasons, fishing and agriculture. Roughly circular in shape, 14km by 7km in area, Gozo is hilly and from the south-west to the north-west, the coast is entirely surrounded by cliffs.

Millions of years ago, the Maltese islands were the elevated regions on a mass of land extending southwards from nearby Sicily. Situated about 80km away from Sicily and 190km from the North African coast, Gozo is rural and simple, its culture and way of life rooted in fishing, and in primitive pastoral and agricultural activity. Tomatoes, potatoes, onions, melons, grapes, figs, oranges, and tangerines are the island’s prime agricultural produce.

Steeped in myth, Gozo is also thought to be the legendary Calypso’s isle of Homer’s Odyssey – a peaceful, mystical backwater.

Gozo meaning “joy” in castilian is the name the Aragonese gave this island, when they possessed it in 1282. The idea of joy and pleasure is also conveyed by its Latin motto “Fertilis ab undis caput iffero – a fruitful land raising its head from the sea”. The Phoenicians, when it was theirs in 700Bc, called it “Gwl” or Gaulos, meaning a round ship, possibly in reference to the island’s shape from a distance, a name the Romans kept when they, in turn took it over in 218AD. The Arabs, who came to rule this precious piece of land a thousand years ago, and who strongly influenced its Semitic language, left behind the name that has stuck in the vernacular: Ghawdex (pronounced Aw-desh).

Baroque churches and old stone farmhouses dot the countryside. Gozo’s rugged landscape and spectacular coastline await exploration with some of the Mediterranean’s best dive sites.

Gozo also possesses a nightlife and cultural calendar all of its own, with some great dining out.

There is no fear in walking about at night. The sense of safety and security is tangible. The people of this island take pride in the absolute absence of muggings and the almost non-existence of theft. Until fairly recently, when they were not at home, the villagers of Gozo left their keys in their front doors, a custom which can occasionally still be seen.

Many foreign nationals, who are enchanted by the tranquility and laid back lifestyle that this tiny island has to offer, are lured into buying or renting a property in Gozo, a place where they can escape the hustle and bustle of the cities and relax in peace in the weekend, or possibly for the Summer months. Many have come to realize that there is no better place to retire than this Mediterranean island, where time has stood still for a decade or two, where the sun is always shining, and where one can still wake up in the morning to the sound of the cockerels and the scent of freshly baked bread and home-brewed coffee. And the beauty of it all is that whilst Gozo offers a green and relaxed pace of life, one can still enjoy all the amenities and comfort of today’s life – all at an affordable property price tag. They also see the value of owning a property in Gozo, where thanks to a strong property market, they know that they are not only getting a holiday home, but also a solid and lucrative investment.

Gozo is tranquil, and treasures its peace.