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Għarb

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Local council in Gozo Region, Malta
Għarb L-GħarbGarbo
Local council
Collegiate Basilica of the VisitationCollegiate Basilica of the Visitation
Flag of GħarbFlagCoat of arms of GħarbCoat of arms
Motto(s): In Estremo Vigilat
(Sentinel at the Borderline)
GħarbGħarb
Coordinates: 36°3′40″N 14°12′33″E / 36.06111°N 14.20917°E / 36.06111; 14.20917
Country Malta
Region Gozo Region
DistrictGozo and Comino District
BordersKerċem, Għasri, San Lawrenz
Government
 • MayorDavid Apap Agius
(Għarb l-Ewwel)
Area
 • Total4.6 km (1.8 sq mi)
Population
 • Total1,549
 • Density340/km (870/sq mi)
DemonymTal-Għarb
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal codeGRB
Dialing code356
ISO 3166 codeMT-14
Patron saintVisitation of Our Lady to Saint Elizabeth
WebsiteOfficial website

Għarb (Maltese: L-Għarb) is an administrative unit of Malta, located at the westernmost point of the island of Gozo, with a population of 1,549 people (as of 2021).

Etymology

The name Għarb (غرب) comes from the Arabic word for "West," referring to the village being at the westernmost point on Gozo and all of the Maltese archipelago.

History

Għarb started as a small hamlet which developed around the middle ages. 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 a façade which has been compared to Francesco Borromini's Church of Saint Agnes in Piazza Navona, Rome. On the square is a folklore museum housing memorabilia recounting the rural history of the Maltese islands.

Landmarks

Għarb lies in some of Gozo's most scenic countryside, particularly at Dbieġi, the highest hill on Gozo. 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 Our Lady of Ta' Pinu. The parish church, also a basilica, is dedicated to the Visitation of Saint Mary to her cousin Saint Elizabeth.

Zones in Għarb

  • Birbuba
  • Ħodba
  • Il-Wileġ
  • San Katald
  • Ta' Lamuta
  • Ta' Pinu
  • Ta' Santu Pietru
  • Il-Fgura
  • Taż-Żejt
  • il-Wilġa
  • Wied tal-Knisja
  • Wied il-Mielaħ
  • Ta' Ħries
  • Fuq il-Blata
  • Tat-Trux
  • Il-Misraħ

Notable people

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Malta

Għarb is twinned with:

References

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20230219094017/https://nso.gov.mt/en/nso/Media/Salient-Points-of-Publications/Documents/2023/Census%20of%20Population%202021%20volume1-final.pdf
  2. "Twinning". localgovernment.gov.mt. Government of Malta. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2019.

External links

Local councils and administrative committees of Malta and Gozo
Malta
Local councils
Malta
Hamlets
Gozo
Local councils
Gozo
Hamlets
Categories: