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]
The name Għarb (غرب) comes from the Arabic word for "West," which is fitting since the village is the westernmost point on Gozo.
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.
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.
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Malta.