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6 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 11 APRIL 2025 CULTURE GOZO has been given many ti- tles. One very apt title is the "Is- land of Churches." The island spans 67 square kilometres and has more than 50 churches and chapels sprawled around the towns and villages, making it close to a church every square kilometre. With so many places of wor- ship, Gozo is where faith, tra- dition, and history have inter- twined over centuries. Visitors to the island can explore the churches and experience the vibrant feasts and sacred cel- ebrations that reflect Gozo's deeply rooted Roman Catholic heritage. Gozo has its fair share of iconic churches. The Ta' Pinu National Shrine is not only a world-famous pil- grimage site where the devo- tees seek solace at the feet of the Blessed Mary, asking for miracles and graces. From an architectural per- spective, the shrine celebrates the stonemasonry and crafts- manship in local limestone. Similarly, the Xewkija Rotun- da, an edifice that dominates the Gozitan skyline, is home to the world's third-largest un- supported dome and an archi- tectural masterpiece in its own right. Victoria, the island's capital, is home to the Gozo Cathe- dral and St. George's Basili- ca. Gozo's Cathedral church within the Citadel wall features an impressive façade set for a grand entrance and an intrigu- ing Trompe L'oeill on the ceil- ing, creating an optical illusion for the viewers below. St. George's Basilica can best be described as Gozo's golden basilica. Beyond these two, there are many more churches and nich- es to discover scattered along the streets of Victoria. Take note of any guided church tours or museums an- nexed to the churches to dis- cover art, relics and historical treasures. Set at the core of every village is the parish church. Villages in Gozo sprouted around the church like chicks flocking to their mother hen. The churches are not just places of worship but testify to the resilience and hard-work- ing islanders, often rural com- munities of farmers and fisher- men who scraped hard to build these edifices in times gone by. There are various routes to follow as you explore the is- land's churches. Hopping from one village to the next via the bus will ensure you capture the essence of the island's ecclesi- astical heritage. Some of the most picturesque chapels are flung off the route, and places like the San Dimitri Chapel will require a small hike into the countryside. Gozo is like a tiny Mediter- ranean capsule pulsating with traditions like the summer vil- lage 'festa'. The colourful and noisy cel- ebrations in honour of the pa- tron saints of the villages where the sacred and secular fuse in- to a mosaic are challenging to put into words but delightful to experience! It is a time when passionate parishioners work tirelessly to organise a feast that includes fireworks, band marches, street parties and processions. The best way to experience the unique atmosphere of the Gozitan festa is to pick a feast and organise your stay in the village while the celebrations unfold. Mingle with the com- munity in the celebrations, hear bells pealing, and witness a cacophony that spans at least three consecutive days of street décor, brass bands, and fantas- tic fireworks displays. Beyond the outside celebra- tions are the sacred and solemn liturgical church festivities, including choirs and orches- tras performing hymns, mo- tets, and classical holy music accompanying the High Mass and Vespers. The feast culminates on Sun- day when devoted parishioners carry the patron saint's statue through the streets atop beau- tifully decorated processional pedestals, sometimes adorned with silver or gold. Other religious tourism ex- periences can take the form of following The Pilgrim's Trail, a path leading to Ta' Pinu Sanc- tuary. The pilgrim's way to Ta' Pinu is marked with five niches that act as a stop for reflection along the way. Each niche presents a fresco with different Marian themes - Exploring Gozo's religious heritage: Inside Gozo Cathedral