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11 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 15 NOVEMBER 2024 CULTURE THERE is something about ar- riving on the island of Gozo that has incredible appeal. Maybe it's sailing into Mġarr harbour per- haps it's the majestic Chambray fort overlooking the harbour; maybe it's the quaint Lourdes chapel on the hilltop that grac- es the view, or it could be sim- ply the case that the place, has retained the authentic feeling of living on an island. Maybe you've already been to the island, and Mgarr harbour was simply the point of arrival and departure. If that's been the case, you've missed a significant landmark on the island of Gozo. One overlooking item on most travellers' list of things of what to do in Gozo is a serious explo- ration of Mġarr harbour. The Fishing Port and Yacht Marina Mġarr is the fishermen's place. Today many Gozitan fishermen berth their vessels here, and you can see their fishing boats in the port. From the modern-day schoon- ers to the smaller craft and the traditional luzzus painted in jew- el-tone colours, the dock in the harbour is always a picturesque place to visit and capture splen- did photos of the water and light reflections. Further in, you'll also see the mooring decks and pontoons for sailing boats and yachts. Naturally, Gozo's yacht marina welcomes sailing parties who choose to visit the island while cruising the Mediterrane- an Sea. Seafood bonanza at Mgarr's Seaside Restaurants Make plans to stop for lunch or dinner at one of the seaside res- taurants. There's no doubt you will be to enjoy the 'freshest' sea- food dishes. Try the traditional fish soup (aljotta), grilled sword- fish or tuna steak, spaghetti with octopus sauce, Gozitan white- bait fritters (pulpetti tal-mak- ku), octopus in garlic or stuffed squid. Of course, if you're here during the lampuki season, you will have more typical delightful dishes that these seaside restau- rants offer. If you're short on time and cannot feast on sea- food, you need to find time to indulge in a pint. Head to one of Gozo's oldest bars down in the port. It is an iconic place to stop for a drink and enjoy magnifi- cent views from the terrace. The hilltop Lourdes Chapel Climb up the steep staircase from the port to the quaint chapel on the hilltop. You will undoubtedly notice the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in an al- cove on the cliffside. The story has it that back in the 19th cen- tury, some twenty years after the Lourdes apparitions in France, an unknown traveller to the is- land remarked how the cliff face reminded him of the Lourdes grotto. That was enough to in- spire the devout locals to erect a statue and later build the Goth- ic-style chapel with its pointed roof and steeple, which now has become a landmark of Mġarr harbour. Taking a selfie while on the promontory outside of the chapel with the background of the port is a must! It's nothing short of amazing in all sorts of weather and seasons. The Fortress of Chambray Take a second look at the Chambray fortress. The bas- tioned fort overlooking Mgarr harbour was originally built to protect the port. There were plans that this fortress would be another citadel or city on the island of Gozo. However, on- ly a few people know that the Gozitans and their livestock took refuge in this fort when the French invaded Malta in 1798. Today it is a private residen- tial gated community, but you can hike in the pine and conifer grove beneath it. The track in the woodland saunters around the fort, leading to a precarious path over the clay slopes to the beach known as Xatt l-Aħmar. Ix-Xatt l-Ahmar The rugged stretch of the coast beneath the Chambray for- tress is a lovely beach perfect for swimming, snorkelling and diving. The zone is a favourite among divers who enjoy diving 'wrecks' as several ships have been scuttled in the area. Diving the wrecks is a must for divers when considering what to do in Gozo. Xatt l-Aħmar is an idyllic spot to be at sunrise. If you love nature and the coast, it should be on your list of things to do while in Gozo. One must take a wind- ing and a rather steep country road to reach the beach. This challenge ensures the place is never really crowded. If you explore the area, you might even come across the fougasse in the area, which was meant to be filled with small stones to be fired at the incoming enemy. During the colder seasons, Xatt l-Aħmar is also a scenic spot for picnics and family outings. Taking a hike around Mġarr and savouring the harbour's col- ours and views is a must. It's not just a picture-perfect location. Nor is it simply the welcome and goodbye view of Gozo. It's also one of the best places to capture the essence of the island of Gozo. An iconic harbour hike: Mgarr, Gozo