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Girna
A ''girna'' (plural ''giren'') is a type of traditional corbelled hut found in rural areas in parts of Malta. They bear similarities with a number of dry stone vernacular building types found in other Mediterranean countries, and they are primarily used for storage or as temporary shelters. It is possible that in the past they were also used for human habitation. History and use It is not known when the first ''giren'' were constructed in Malta. Their typology bears some similarities with the Megalithic Temples of Malta, although there is no conclusive proof that the building traditions are directly linked, and it has been suggested that the resemblance is superficial. The huts also share characteristics with other vernacular constructions in the Mediterranean region, such as the ''nuraghe'' of Sardinia, the '' trulli'' of Apulia, the '' bunje'' of the former Yugoslavia, the ' of France and other types of huts found in Sicily and Libya. In his 1536 publication ''Insulae Meli ...
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Nuraghe
The nuraghe (, ; plural: Logudorese Sardinian , Campidanese Sardinian , Italian ), or also nurhag in English, is the main type of ancient megalithic edifice found in Sardinia, developed during the Nuragic Age between 1900 and 730 B.C. Today it has come to be the symbol of Sardinia and its distinctive culture known as the Nuragic civilization. More than 7,000 nuraghes have been found, though archeologists believe that originally there were more than 10,000. Etymology According to the ''Oxford English Dictionary'' the etymology is "uncertain and disputed": "The word is perhaps related to the Sardinian place names ''Nurra'', ''Nurri'', ''Nurru'', and to Sardinian ''nurra'' 'heap of stones, cavity in earth' (although these senses are difficult to reconcile). A connection with the Semitic base of Arabic ''nūr'' 'light, fire, etc.' is now generally rejected." The Latin word ''murus'' ('wall') may be related to it, being a result of the derivation: ''murus''–''*muraghe''–n ...
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Gozo
Gozo (, ), Maltese: ''Għawdex'' () and in antiquity known as Gaulos ( xpu, 𐤂𐤅𐤋, ; grc, Γαῦλος, Gaúlos), is an island in the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Republic of Malta. After the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago. As of 2021, the island has a population of around 31,232 (out of Malta's total 443,227), and its inhabitants are known as Gozitans ( mt, Għawdxin). It is rich in historic locations such as the Ġgantija temples, which, along with the other Megalithic Temples of Malta, are amongst the world's oldest free-standing structures. The island is rural in character and less developed than the island of Malta. Gozo is known for its scenic hills, which are featured on its coat of arms. The Azure Window, a natural limestone arch, was a remarkable geological feature until its collapse on March 8, 2017. The island has other notable natural features, including the Inland Se ...
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Majjistral Park
The Majjistral Nature and History Park is a nature reserve in Mellieha, Malta. The geographic area includes the coastal area in Golden Bay ( mt, Il-Mixquqa) to ''Il-Prajjet'' and ''Ix- Xagħra l-Ħamra''. It was declared a national park on the Malta Government Gazette by Legal Notice 251 of 2007 in September 2007. The park is named for the northwestern region or wind ( mt, Majjistral). The area includes a stretch of of protected coast, designated as part of a larger Special Area of Conservation of International Importance, within the Natura 2000 network of sites as per the European Habitats Directive. It has a number of historic and archaeological sites as identified in studies commissioned by the Malta Tourism Authority. Habitats The Maltese Islands have a variety of habitats that are inhabited by a diverse number of wild native plants. Some plants in the park are also endemic (found only in the Maltese islands), sub-endemic (found also in a few other Mediterranean regio ...
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Saint Agatha's Tower
Saint Agatha's Tower ( mt, Torri ta' Sant'Agata), also known as the Red Tower ( mt, Torri l-Aħmar), Mellieħa Tower ( mt, Torri tal-Mellieħa) or Fort Saint Agatha ( mt, Forti Sant'Agata), is a large bastioned watchtower in Mellieħa, Malta. It was built between 1647 and 1649, as the sixth of the Lascaris towers. The tower's design is completely different from the rest of the Lascaris towers, but it is similar to the earlier Wignacourt towers. St. Agatha's Tower was the last large bastioned tower to be built in Malta. History and architecture Saint Agatha's Tower (original language as Torre Sant’ Agata, also named Torre Rossa and Torre Caura) was built between November 1647 and April 1649 to a design by the architect Antonio Garsin. The structure consists of a square tower with four corner towers. Cannon ports in the turrets gave interlocking fields of fire commanding the base of the walls and the gateway, with other large cannon ports in the faces of the main tower. The outer ...
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Selmun Palace
Selmun Palace ( mt, Il-Palazz ta' Selmun), also known as Selmun Tower, is a villa on the Selmun Peninsula in Mellieħa, Malta. It was built in the 18th century by the Monte della Redenzione degli Schiavi, funded by the Monte di Pietà. The palace was located on the grounds of a hotel until it closed in 2011. History Selmun Palace was built by the Monte della Redenzione degli Schiavi, a charity that was founded during the reign of Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt in 1607 to finance the redemption of Christians enslaved by Ottomans or Barbary corsairs. The site of the villa originally contained a coastal lookout post, and it was part of a large estate which also included the Mistra Gate. The estate had been left to the ''Monte di Redenzione'' by the noblewoman Caterina Vitale upon her death in 1619. The villa used to be rented out to knights of the Order of Saint John as a place to relax and hunt wild rabbits, which were commonly found in the area. The rent money contributed ...
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Manikata
Manikata is a small settlement in the limits of Mellieħa in the northwestern part of Malta. It oversees the farming areas in the valley between il-Ballut and il-Manikata. The village's population of 539 is spread among 40 families. Farming The main industry of Manikata is farming. The valleys around this village are rich in produce. All year round the fields are tended and the produce is enjoyed by many. Grapes, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, melons (bettiegħ), water melons (dulliegħ), apples, oranges, pomegranates (rummien), strawberries and many other crops are commonly seen in the fields. Also there are many beekeepers in this area. Surroundings Beaches Għajn Tuffieħa Bay Literally translates into "Apple’s Spring". It is located just east of Golden Bay, one of three bays carved out of the cliffs. It is situated at the bottom of Wied tal-Pwales (Pwales Valley). The sea is deep blue and aquamarine water interspersed with emerald and white stretches of sand. Golden ...
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Mellieħa
Mellieħa ( mt, il-Mellieħa ) is a large village in the Northern Region of Malta. It has a population of 10,087 as of March 2014. Mellieħa is also a tourist resort, popular for its sandy beaches and natural environment. Etymology The name ''Mellieħa'' is derived from the Semitic root ''m-l-ħ'', which means ''salt''. This is probably derived from the ancient Punic-Roman salt pans which existed at Mellieħa Bay. The site of the salt pans is now occupied by the Għadira Nature Reserve. History Prehistory to Middle Ages Mellieħa was first inhabited in around 3000 BC, during the Neolithic period. Several megalithic remains have been found, including the temple of Għajn Żejtuna, as well as several caves and tombs, in which tools and pottery fragments were found. During the Roman period, troglodytes began to live in the caves of Mellieħa's valleys. The cave settlements continued to exist during Byzantine rule, but were abandoned in the early medieval period. According to t ...
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Malta (island)
Malta is the largest of the three major islands that constitute the Maltese archipelago. It is sometimes referred to as Valletta for statistical purposes to distinguish the main island from the Malta, entire country. Malta is in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea directly south of Italy and north of Libya. The island is long and wide, with a total area of . The capital is Valletta, while the largest locality is Rabat, Malta, Rabat. The island is made up of many small towns, which together form one Larger Urban Zones, larger urban zone with a population of 409,259. The landscape is characterised by low hills with terraced fields. History Humans have inhabited Malta since about 5200 BC, when stone age hunters or farmers arrived from Sicily. Early Neolithic settlements were discovered in open areas and also in caves, such as Għar Dalam. Around 3500 BC, a culture of megalithic temple builders then either supplanted or arose. They built some of the oldest existing, free-standing ...
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Northern Region, Malta
The Northern Region ( mt, Reġjun Tramuntana) is one of five regions of Malta. The region includes the northwestern part of the main island of Malta. The region borders the Central and Southern Regions, and is also close to Gozo Region. It was created by the Act No. XVI of 2009 out of part of Malta Majjistral. Subdivision Districts Northern Region includes the entire Northern District and parts of the Northern Harbour District and Western Districts. Local councils Northern Region includes 12 local councils: *Dingli - include the areas of Buskett and Dingli Cliffs *Għargħur - include the area of Xwieki * Mdina (Città Notabile) *Mellieħa - include the areas of Ċirkewwa, Marfa, Armier Bay, Għadira, Manikata, Golden Bay, Santa Maria Estate, Paradise Bay, Anchor Bay (Popeye Village), Ta' Pennellu, Mġiebaħ, and Selmun Palace and Selmunett. *Mġarr - include the areas of Żebbiegħ, Ġnejna Bay, Binġemma, Ta' Mrejnu, Għajn Tuffieħa, Ballut, Lippija, ...
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Xewkija
Xewkija ( mt, Ix-Xewkija, it, Casal Xeuchia, pronounced and written as Casal Sceuchia) is an administrative unit of Malta, on the island of Gozo. The population of Xewkija is 3,300 as of March 2014. History Xewkija, which is situated between Għajnsielem and the main town, Victoria, is the oldest village in Gozo. It became the first parish outside Victoria on 27 November 1678. It was separated from the Matrix by Bishop Miguel Jerónimo de Molina and Dun Grezz Farrugia from Valletta, became its first parish priest. It became the first district 'contrada' to be known as 'casale' or village. The name is derived from the Maltese word "", meaning "thistles" or "thorns". Xewkija is famous for its church, The Rotunda of Xewkija, which is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. It is the Seat of the Knights of the Order of St. John, and was built from Maltese stone by local masons and craftsmen. It is the largest in Gozo and its dome dominates the village. Its architect was Ġużè Dama ...
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