Mġarr (Gozo)
Encyclopedia
Mġarr is town and harbour at the east end of Gozo
, Malta
.
The ferry terminal was rebuilt at a cost of €9.3 million in the early 21st century. Work began in 2001 and took seven years, with the terminal opening in February 2008. The harbour now has facilities for around 600 passengers and 200 cars. The design of the new harbour was changed during the construction process to reduce its visual impact on the surrounding landscape.
, constructed in 1749 by the Knights of St. John.
In May 2010, it was announced that the marina would be privatised. Operation transferred to the Harbour Management Company Limited, who intend to modernise the marina.
The Gleneagles bar, which stands next to the original jetty in the harbour, was constructed as a cabin for ferry passengers in 1732 and has a unique sloping roof.
on the main Maltese island by the Gozo Channel Company ferry service, which operates every 45 minutes during the day. Less frequent ferries to Comino
are operated by the Comino Hotel.
A bus route connects Mgarr to Victoria, the main city on Gozo.
Gozo
Gozo is a small island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Southern European country of Malta; after the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago...
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
.
History
The town of Mġarr grew up around the shallow harbour which shares its name. Ferry services to Malta were in operation by 1241, and fishing was already established. While the area around the harbour was developed over the following centuries, there was little development of the harbour itself until 1841, when a breakwater was constructed to provide more shelter to the port. This breakwater was strengthened and extended several times up to 1906. A larger breakwater was constructed between 1929 and 1935, and two more in 1969; on the completion of the latter, the area of the port was expanded to 121,400 square metres.The ferry terminal was rebuilt at a cost of €9.3 million in the early 21st century. Work began in 2001 and took seven years, with the terminal opening in February 2008. The harbour now has facilities for around 600 passengers and 200 cars. The design of the new harbour was changed during the construction process to reduce its visual impact on the surrounding landscape.
Economy and facilities
Mġarr is the largest fishing village on Gozo. In addition to the ferry terminal, a yacht marina is also located in the town. Mġarr is overlooked by Fort ChambrayFort Chambray
Fort Chambray is situated in the precincts of Għajnsielem, on the island of Gozo, Malta. This fortress is built in the area of Ras it-Tafal' which is situated between the port of Mġarr and that of Xatt l-Ahmar....
, constructed in 1749 by the Knights of St. John.
In May 2010, it was announced that the marina would be privatised. Operation transferred to the Harbour Management Company Limited, who intend to modernise the marina.
The Gleneagles bar, which stands next to the original jetty in the harbour, was constructed as a cabin for ferry passengers in 1732 and has a unique sloping roof.
Transport
The port is linked to CirkewwaCirkewwa
Ċirkewwa is a harbour situated on a point at the northernmost part of Malta.It is the site of the Ċirkewwa Ferry Terminal, where regular car ferries operate to the port of Mġarr on Gozo. In the summer, boat trips to Comino also operate, as well as organised diving excursions...
on the main Maltese island by the Gozo Channel Company ferry service, which operates every 45 minutes during the day. Less frequent ferries to Comino
Comino
Comino is an island of the Maltese archipelago between the islands of Malta and Gozo in the Mediterranean Sea, measuring in area. Named after the cumin seed that once flourished in the Maltese islands, Comino is noted for its tranquility and isolation. It has a permanent population of only four...
are operated by the Comino Hotel.
A bus route connects Mgarr to Victoria, the main city on Gozo.