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10 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 27 FEBRUARY 2026 CULTURE Exploring Gozo's religious heritage: Churches, feasts, and pilgrimages GOZO has been given many titles. One very apt title is the "Island of Churches." The is- land 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 worship, Gozo is where faith, tradition, and history have in- tertwined over centuries. Vis- itors to the island can explore the churches and experience the vibrant feasts and sacred celebra- tions that reflect Gozo's deeply rooted Roman Catholic heritage. Gozo has its fair share of iconic churches. The Ta' Pinu Nation- al Shrine is not only a world-fa- mous pilgrimage site where the devotees seek solace at the feet of the Blessed Mary, asking for mir- acles and graces. From an archi- tectural perspective, the shrine celebrates the stonemasonry and craftsmanship in local limestone. Similarly, the Xewkija Rotunda, an edifice that dominates the Gozitan skyline, is home to the world's third-largest unsupport- ed dome and an architectural masterpiece in its own right. Victoria, the island's capital, is home to the Gozo Cathedral and St. George's Basilica. Gozo's Cathedral church within the Cit- adel wall features an impressive façade set for a grand entrance and an intriguing Trompe L'oeill on the ceiling, creating an opti- cal illusion for the viewers below. St George's Basilica can best be described as Gozo's golden basil- ica. Beyond these two, there are many more churches and niches to discover scattered along the streets of Victoria. Take note of any guided church tours or mu- seums annexed to the churches to discover art, relics and histori- cal 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 church- es are not just places of worship but testify to the resilience and hard-working islanders, often ru- ral communities of farmers and fishermen who scraped hard to build these edifices in times gone by. There are various routes to follow as you explore the island's churches. Hopping from one vil- lage to the next via the bus will ensure you capture the essence of the island's ecclesiastical her- itage. Some of the most pictur- esque 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 Mediterra- nean capsule pulsating with tra- ditions like the summer village 'festa'. The colourful and noisy celebrations in honour of the pa- tron saints of the villages where the sacred and secular fuse into a mosaic are challenging to put in- to words but delightful to expe- rience! It is a time when passion- ate 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 un- fold. Mingle with the communi- ty in the celebrations, hear bells pealing, and witness a cacophony that spans at least three consec- utive days of street décor, brass bands, and fantastic fireworks displays. Beyond the outside cel- ebrations are the sacred and sol- emn liturgical church festivities, including choirs and orchestras performing hymns, motets, and classical holy music accompany- ing the High Mass and Vespers. The feast culminates on Sunday when devoted parishioners carry the patron saint's statue through the streets atop beautifully dec- orated processional pedestals, sometimes adorned with silver or gold. Other religious tourism expe- riences can take the form of fol- lowing The Pilgrim's Trail, a path leading to Ta' Pinu Sanctuary. 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 fres- co with different Marian themes – Mary Help of Christians, Mary Refuge of Sinners, Mary Health of the Sick, Mary Queen of the Family and Mary Queen of Peace. Once at Ta' Pinu, the mosaics at the sanctuary's entrance serve as another moment of prayer or re- flection, inviting visitors to pause and contemplate the biblical scenes depicted in vibrant col- ours before entering the sacred space. Another path from here is the walk up to Għammar Hill, where pilgrims can contemplate the stations of the cross through the life-size Carrara marble stat- ues. Every year during Lent, the Gozitan community organises a pilgrimage up the hill at dusk. The walk, which is meant to be an act of penance, illuminated by the glow of candles and pos- sibly fire torches, is a particularly profoundly reflective experience. However, even during the day, walking up the mountain is a balmy, soul-searching experi- ence, where the silence is only broken by the birds chirping. Gozo has often been consid- ered a destination for retreats or spiritual gateways. Gozo's peaceful countryside and coastal charm are not beneficial for re- generation and refocus. One can organise a retreat at the various religious houses. Places like the Manresa Retreat House and St Augustine Convent in Victoria, Dar Stella Maris in Żebbuġ, and Lourdes Home in Mġarr provide an excellent setting as an oasis of peace. Gozo has also been described as the Christmas Island. The joyful season has a distinct place in Gozo's calendar when many secular and sacred events mark the feast of the birth of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, living the Easter experience in Gozo is another opportunity that can tie well with a delightful spring break. Spring is one of the ideal times to visit the island. If you plan to visit the island during Holy Week and Paschal tide, you're in for a profoundly moving experience, where sombre, reenactments, candlelit vigils and exhibitions are all geared to remember the sorrowful passion of Jesus Christ culminating in the resurrection on Easter Sunday. Visiting Gozo is a chance to witness authentic faith and de- votion in a unique island setting. Whether you're a curious cul- tural traveller, a history lover, or a spiritual pilgrim, the island welcomes all. In Gozo, you'll find a mystic spirituality infused by a mysterious blend of natural beauty, rich heritage, and warm hospitality. Ta' Pinu National Shrine