10 Things to do and see in Qala
With the Qala feast fast approaching, it would be ruse not to visit the quaint, picturesque village which is nested in the south eastern corner of Gozo. Qala is a place which exudes history, culture and community. Here are some of the best things to do and see during your time in Qala, home of our diving centre.
Visit the Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception of Qala (Santwarju tal-Kunċizzjoni Immakulata tal-Qala).
On the outskirts of Qala, atop the hill which winds its way down to Hondoq bay, sits the Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception of Qala. This Chapel is one of the most ancient Christian places of worship in all of Malta and Gozo. So ancient in fact that the exact date of its beginnings are not known. Lucky for us at Blue Waters this beautiful building is just metres away from our diving centre.
Some historians argue that the Chapel was initially built on a pagan temple. Whatever its origin, it has been a place of worship for Maltese and Gozitans for centuries, looking for sanctuary and assistance in times of hardship.
In the 1650’s the Chapel was built on, making it larger. Then, a few decades later in 1688 it became parish church for the entire eastern part of Gozo, covering Qala, Nadur and Għajnsielem.
Between 1982 and 1988 the interior of the Chapel was refurbished. The gilding is beautiful and extremely ornate.
The outer walls of the building are adorned with detailed carvings. These are examples of old graffiti: signs and symbols left by travellers after arriving safely on the island. These Ex-Voto’s, symbols of thanks and gratitude to the saints after a granted wish, were left by those who had safely made it to the shores of Gozo after a perilous journey.
Below the chapel also lies a crypt. The burial place of a holy man, perhaps St. Konrad Canfalonieri of Piacenza, known also as Karrew the hermit, who died in 1351. It is thought that the crypt was discovered during the building of the Chapel.
The main attraction though sits inside. The altarpiece, attributed to Federico Barocci di Urbino, shows God extending his special protection to the Immaculate Conception. It is a special piece of work and is worth taking the time to appreciate.
Visit the fortification, St Anthony’s Battery at Qala Point.
St Anthony’s Battery is one of only 2 remaining Batteries in Gozo. Situated in Ras il-Qala, or Qala point, the fortification was built overlooking the Gozo channel and Comino in order to act as protection from invaders approaching the Hondoq ir-Rummien area.
The Battery was proposed in 1730, then constructed between the years 1731-1734, where the final touches were made.
The name ‘Saint Anthony’s Battery’ was given by the grandmaster of the Order of Saint John, António Manoel de Vilhena.
This watchtower was heavily armed, housing 3 eight-powder guns and 8 six-pounder guns aimed towards the channel, with extremely thick walls and strategically placed slits for outward musket fire in the case of attack from the land.
This impressive watchtower gives visitors a look into the islands past. Restoration work in 2007 also means that it is in a wonderful condition. It is certainly worth a visit when exploring the beautiful coastline that borders the village.
Visit Ħalfa Rock (Il-Ġebla tal-Ħalfa)
Set just off a secluded bay on the outskirts of Qala sits Ħalfa Rock. This islet, around 50m wide and 95m long at its longest point, is an uninhabited but visually striking landmark, rising from the crystal clear water just off shore.
Now the area is a sheltered place for smaller cruise boats and bathers to enjoy a more secluded part of the island, even in peak season.
However, the islet does have some historic significance, with a few local legends giving explanation to how it was named.
The Maltese ‘Ħalfa’ translates to ‘vow’ or ‘oath’. Local legend suggests that Dragut, a famous pirate of the Ottoman empire, used the islet as the stage to swear his revenge for the death of his brother on the island of Gozo. It is thought that Dragut requested his brothers body be given proper burial after he was killed raiding the island around 1544. This request was denied, the local people instead burning the body in front of the famed pirate. He then swore revenge atop Ħalfa rock as his fleet boarded their ships to leave Gozo. In 1551 supposedly he came back, abandoning a siege in Mdina to attack Gozo, enslaving most of the island in doing so.
A brutal legend, typical of this storied island.
Brutality has now made way for serene beauty, and visitors can enjoy peace and tranquillity in the area.
See the ancient Cart ruts
Here we look into one of the many ancient and mysterious landmarks in our historic part of Gozo. There are many examples of ‘Cart Ruts’ in Malta and Gozo, all inspiring a sense of history and mystery. These parallel tracks,, cut into the rugged stone around various parts of the Maltese islands, continue to baffle historians to this day. They often consist of 2 parallel tracks, continuing for a distance then disappearing without explanation.
The age of these primitive tracks is also a mystery. Experts argue that they could have been used as early as the late Bronze age (1800 – 7000 BC), some argue later, around the 7th to 3rd century, and some say as late as Roman times.
In fact, the Cart ruts on the outskirts of Qala are thought to be some of the oldest and point more to the Bronze age. They also continue for a great distance, heading towards the coast for around 150m!
Regardless of the exact age, these Cart ruts point to an impressive transport system, connecting fields, temples, graves and settlements, perhaps providing inspiration for more complex transport methods to come.
Enjoy the view at the beautiful Belvedere
Qala is blessed with many breathtaking views. One of the most stunning, arguably in all of Gozo, would be looking out over the sea from Qala’s Belvedere. There is a spacious walkway along the Belvedere, with plenty of places to sit and soak in the scenery. High above the South Western part of the Gozitan coastline, you will enjoy a clear, unobstructed view of Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon, then mainland Malta.
Here the sea sparkles in the day time as the sun hits the rippling Mediterranean sea. In winter the hillsides leading down to the coast are covered in a rich green with wild flours peppering the landscape. In summer, the rich colour of the stone and dry earth perfectly contrasts with the blue skies and clear waters.
It is also worth to visit Xerri il-Bukkett, a family owned restaurant with that same incredible view from the outdoor terraces.
Eat, drink and enjoy Il-Pjazza ta' San Ġużepp (Qala Square)
Qala is lucky to have one of the most beautiful squares in Gozo. With the community based around the Qala parish church at its centre, you will enjoy the beautiful architecture at the heart of the village.
Surrounding the church are many restaurants and bars to enjoy. D-Bar, Ta vestru, Zeppis Pub and more are favourites of locals and tourists alike. Qala also seems to come to life at night, particularly in summer evenings and weekends. You will find live music many nights later in the week, showcasing some of the incredible talent in the Maltese music scene.
Locals are friendly and welcoming, so you will not be short of company should you want it.
It is a great place to be with a real sense of community and togetherness.
Marvel at Qala Parish Church
The Qala parish church is the epicentre of the village. Constructed between 1882 to 1889 by Dun Ġużepp Diacono. The church was constructed in a Baroque style typical of Gozitan churches. The architecture is magnificent and creates a wonderful centrepiece for the village.
Inside the church is also spectacular, with ornate gilding and religious artwork covering the walls and ceiling.
Qala became a parish in 1872, but at this time it was still the famous Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception of Qala that was parish church at the time, until St Josephs was completed at the centre of the village in 1889.
You can experience the full Qala experience, with many of the traditional religious activities based at or around St Josephs parish church, at the Qala feast.
Visit the Dolmen
We already know that Gozo is a place full of wonder when it comes to prehistoric architecture. The dolmen, a Menhir, which is a tall upright stone which was erected in prehistoric times, sits between people’s houses on the aptly names ‘Triq it-Tempju (temple street).
It is not certain if this was a sole monolith, or part of a larger structure. Once again the truly ancient structure leaves us with more mystery than definitive answers. However, the intersection between modern and prehistoric architecture makes for extremely interesting juxtaposition.
Enjoy a day at the beach at Hondoq Bay
The popular Hondoq bay is a small inlet on Gozo’s south eastern corner. It is popular with tourists and locals alike due to its sheltered, shallow swimming area. This makes it ideal for those looking for a refreshing swim, snorkelling the rugged coastline, and, luckily for us, makes a great dive site!
This Blue Flag beach boasts crystal clear waters, and is protected from the prevailing north-west wing, so it is usually extremely calm.
If you are visiting with the family then it is also excellent to keep everyone busy for the day! The area has a restaurant just a few metres from the water, as well as a smaller kiosk close by. There are also a range of water sports run by Joyride Watersports, including kayaking, jet-ski hire, paddle boarding and boat rides to Comino and beyond.
Kid will also love the concrete jetty, perfect for the more adventurous to jump into the sea for hours on end!
Hide away at Bamberin, a natural hidden gem
If you are visiting Hondoq bay, or walking the coastal path from Mgarr Harbour to Hondoq, it is worth a quick visit to Bamberin. This small inlet just off to the right of Hondoq bay is calm, quiet and secluded. The cliffs surrounding the inlet are rugged and covered with Maltese flora year round. The crystal clear waters invite you into a small cave at the farthest point into the inlet, which is quite safe to enter as it is very shallow and protected. The view out from this hidden cavern is magical.
You have a few options to reach Bamberin: from the rocky coastline, or swimming out from the beach.
If you opt to walk the coast then take it slowly and be careful, the rocks are uneven, so decent footwear is a good idea.
If you swim, it is not a huge distance, but stay very close to the coastline once exiting the swimming zone so there is no issue with boat traffic, and you can easily rest if you need to.
Either way, it is well worth the effort!