Għarb Explained

Għarb
Native Name:L-Għarb
Native Name Lang:mt
Official Name:Għarb
Other Name:Garbo
Settlement Type:Local council
Motto:In Estremo Vigilat
(Sentinel at the Borderline)
Coordinates:36.0611°N 14.2092°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Malta
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1: Gozo Region
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Gozo and Comino District
Parts Type:Borders
Parts Style:para
P1:Kerċem, Għasri, San Lawrenz
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:David Apap Agius
Leader Party:Għarb l-Ewwel
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:4.6
Population Total:1298
Population As Of:Jan. 2019
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Demonym:Tal-Għarb
Timezone1:CET
Utc Offset1:+1
Timezone1 Dst:CEST
Utc Offset1 Dst:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:GRB
Area Code Type:Dialing code
Area Code:356
Iso Code:MT-14
Blank Name Sec1:Patron saint
Blank Info Sec1:Visitation of Our Lady to Saint Elizabeth
Blank1 Name Sec1:Day of festa
Website:Official website

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

Etymology

The name Għarb (غرب) comes from the Arabic word for "West," which is fitting since the village is the westernmost point on Gozo.

History

Għarb started as a small hamlet which developed around the middle ages. 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 a façade which has been compared to Francesco Borromini's Church of Saint Agnes in Piazza Navona, Rome. On the square is a folklore museum housing memorabilia recounting the rural history of the Maltese islands.

Landmarks

Għarb lies in some of Gozo's most scenic countryside, particularly at Dbieġi, the highest hill on Gozo 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 Our Lady of Ta' Pinu. The parish church, also a basilica, is dedicated to the Visitation of Saint Mary to her cousin Saint Elizabeth.

Zones in Għarb

Notable people

Twin towns – sister cities

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

Għarb is twinned with:[2]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014. Government of Malta. https://web.archive.org/web/20150621211549/https://secure2.gov.mt/localgovernment/file.aspx?f=7810. 21 June 2015. 16 May 2014. dead.
  2. Web site: Twinning. localgovernment.gov.mt. Government of Malta. 18 September 2019. 19 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201019154556/https://localgovernment.gov.mt/en/lc/Gharb/Pages/Services/Twinning.aspx. dead.