About
Qala
Qala is the easternmost village of Gozo. Its name is Maltese and Arabic for bay or sheltered haven. On the road leading to the village there is a Neolithic settlement known as Tal-Qigħan and L-Imrejżbiet. There are several megaliths of considerable size still in situ. The village also boasts two old windmills. The Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands on the outskirts. It once made this village very famous. People used to flock to the chapel seeking divine intercession and the walls of the chapel were once covered with ex-voto paintings donated by those who were healed. Two small inlets with crystal clear water known as Ħondoq ir-Rummien and Iż-Żrieżaq are a haven for swimmers. The parish church is dedicated to St Joseph.
Il-Qala jinsab fir-ras tal-Lvant ta’ Għawdex. L-isem hi kelma bil-Malti, u anki bil-Għarbi, li tfisser bajja jew daħla kennija. Fit-triq li mir-Rabat twassal għall-Qala, hemm sit Neolitiku – mifrud fi tnejn minn din it-triq moderna – magħruf bħala Tal-Qigħan u L-Imrejżbiet. Sal-lum wieħed jista’ jara fil-post diversi megaliti, ġebel kbir ta' daqs konsiderevoli. Jiddomina parti mir-raħal hemm żewġ imtieħen tar-riħ antiki. Is-Santwarju tal-Immakulata Kunċizzjoni, santwarju li minn żmien żemżem għamel dan ir-raħal famuż, jinsab fit-truf tar-raħal. In-nies kienu ta’ sikwit jagħmlu pellegrinaġġi lejn dan is-Santwarju jitolbu ’l Alla u ’l Madonna tidħol għalihom fi żmien il-għawġ. L-erba’ ħitan tal-kappella kienu darba nċanati b’pitturi u oġġetti oħra mogħtija minn dawk li kienu jfiequ meta jitolbu hemm. Mal-kosta tar-raħal hemm żewġ daħliet żgħar b’ilma baħar ċar kristall magħrufa bħala Ħondoq ir-Rummien u Iż-Żrieżaq. Il-knisja parrokkjali hija ddedikata lil San Ġużepp.
