Għarb

Għarb L-Għarb Garbo
Local council
Basilica of the Visitation
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: In Estremo Vigilat (Sentinel at the Borderline)
Coordinates:
Country	Malta
Region	Gozo Region
District	Gozo and Comino District
Borders	Kerċem, Għasri, San Lawrenz
Government
• Mayor	David Apap Aguis (PN)
Area
• Total	4.6 km2 (1.8 sq mi)
Population (March 2014)
• Total	1,539
• Density	330/km2 (870/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Tal-Għarb
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	GRB
Dialing code	356
ISO 3166 code	MT-14
Patron saint	Visitation of Our Lady to Saint Elizabeth
Website	Official website

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.

Għarb started life as a small hamlet centuries ago. The word Għarb is Arabic 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

Sister cities

• Enna, Italy
• Torrent, Spain

External links

• Għarb Local Council