Għarb

Għarb (Maltese: L-Għarb) is a village located at the westernmost point of the island of Gozo, Malta, with a population of 1,539 people (as of March 2014).[1]

For other uses of "Gharb", see Al Gharbiyah (disambiguation).

Għarb

L-Għarb

Garbo
Local council
Flag
Coat of arms
Motto(s): 
In Estremo Vigilat
(Sentinel at the Borderline)
Coordinates: 36°3′40″N 14°12′33″E
Country Malta
Region Gozo Region
DistrictGozo and Comino District
BordersKerċem, Għasri, San Lawrenz
Government
 • MayorDavid Apap Aguis (PN)
Area
 • Total4.6 km2 (1.8 sq mi)
Population
 (Jan. 2019)
 • Total1,298
 • Density280/km2 (730/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Tal-Għarb
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
GRB
Dialing code356
ISO 3166 codeMT-14
Patron saintVisitation of Our Lady to Saint Elizabeth
WebsiteOfficial website

History

Għarb started is a small hamlet which developed around the middle ages. The word Għarb is the old Maltese word for West, so it should be no surprise that the village is the most westerly place on Gozo. 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 an elegant façade which has been compared with Francesco Borromini's Church of Saint Agnes in Piazza Navona, Rome. The village square, so quintessentially Gozitan, has become the view on many a postcard. On the square is a folklore museum housing all sorts of memorabilia retelling the Islands' rural history. Għarb lies in some of Gozo's most scenic countryside, particularly at Dbieġi, the highest hill on the Island. 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 the Virgin Mary. It was on this spot in 1883, that a local woman heard the voice of the Virgin. The parish church is dedicated to the visitation of Saint Mary to her cousin Saint Elizabeth. The late Karmni Grima and Frenċ tal-Għarb are two of its most renowned villagers.

Zones in Għarb
  • Birbuba
  • Ħodba
  • Il-Wileġ
  • San Katald
  • Ta' Lamuta
  • Ta' Pinu
  • Ta' Santu Pietru
  • Il-Fgura
  • Taż-Żejt
  • il-wilga
  • Wied tal-Knisja
  • Wied il-Mielaħ
  • Ta' Ħries
  • Fuq il-blata
  • Tat-trux
  • Il-misrah

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

Għarb is twinned with:[2]

References
  1. "Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014". Government of Malta. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 21 June 2015.
  2. "Twinning". localgovernment.gov.mt. Government of Malta. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
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