About
Xlendi
Xlendi, a typical fishing village and a popular summer resort, lies to the south west of Gozo. The name is derived from xelandion, a type of Byzantine vessel that probably used to put anchor in this port. Wedged between majestic cliffs, ix-Xlendi is the most picturesque and the most romantic fishing village of Gozo or, to be more precise, it certainly was. A statue of the apostle Saint Andrew, patron saint of fishermen, dominated the inlet for fishing boats. The cliffs bordering the port on this side can be reached by walking past the statue up a steep flight of steps cut into the rock. Further down, there is l-Għar ta’ Karolina, Caroline’s cave, a natural grotto once used by nuns for swimming. Ix-Xlendi tower was raised in 1650. The village church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.
Ix-Xlendi, irħajjel tipiku tas-sajjieda u post popolari ta’ mistrieħ fix-xhur tas-sajf, jinsab fil-lbiċ ta’ Għawdex. L-isem ġej mill-kelma Griega xelandion, tip ta’ bastiment Biżantin. Aktarx li fi żminijiet imbiegħda mriekeb ta’ din ix-xorta kienu jsorġu f’dan il-port. Imkennen minn irdum maestuż, ix-Xlendi huwa l-iktar irħajjel pittoresk tas-sajd u anki wieħed mill-postijiet l-iktar romantiċi ta’ Għawdex. Jew, aħjar hekk kien darba. Il-wesgħa fejn issorġu dgħajjes tas-sajd hi dominate minn statwa tal-appostlu Sant Andrija, patrun tas-sajjieda. Illum tinsab mirduma mill-bini. L-irdumijiet ta’ fuq il-port jistgħu jintlaħqu b’mixja lilhinn mill-istatwa, minn taraġ wieqaf maqtugħ fil-blat, għal fuq mogħdija li twassal sal-Għar ta’ Karolina, għar naturali li darba kien riservat għall-għawm tas-sorijiet. It-torri Ix-Xlendi nbena fl-1650. Il-knisja tal-irħajjel hi ddedikata lill-Madonna tal-Karmnu.
