Xlendi
Xlendi is an urban village located in the southwest of the island of Gozo, Malta. It is bordered by the villages of Munxar, Fontana, and Kerċem. The village is administered by the Munxar Local Council, but it has its coat of arms and motto. Since March 2010, Xlendi has had a five-member "mini council" responsible for managing local activities and affairs.
Etymology
The name Xlendi is of Byzantine origin. It is derived from a galley of that period, the Shilandi, which was wrecked along the coast near the mouth of the bay and rediscovered in the 1960s. The wreck has since become a popular diving site.Historical places
Punic Tombs
Tombs dating from the Punic–Byzantine period have been discovered in Xlendi, some at St. Simon Point and others in Xlendi Valley. The port was used by the Romans, as the surrounding cliffs provided protection from strong winds. The bay contains a reef that has caused numerous shipwrecks, leaving a significant number of Roman amphorae on the seabed.Xlendi Tower
The Xlendi Tower, which guards the mouth of the bay, was constructed by Grand Master Juan de Lascaris-Castellar on 29 June 1650 to prevent pirate and Ottoman incursions from the bay. The tower remains standing and, until recently, had been abandoned, with substantial damage to its outer walls. Responsibility for its upkeep was transferred to the local council and Din l-Art Ħelwa in 2010. As of August 2020, restoration work began on its external structure. The tower was used by the British Army in Malta, as it was the only defensive tower in the southwest of Gozo. It was designated "Tower B," indicating its relative importance.Chapels
During the mid-17th century, Xlendi had a total of four chapels:- St. Simon Chapel, which also had a cemetery. After it was profaned, the bishop ordered a stone cross to be carved into the rocks to mark the site.
- St. Domenica, an underground chapel located on the cliffs overlooking Xlendi Valley on the Munxar side. It was difficult to access and was soon profaned after its establishment.
- St. Catherine, situated above Xlendi on the cliffs on the side of the village of Kerċem. The chapel was built over a cliff of the same name and is believed to have served a small community in the area.
- Vizitazzjoni ta' Forn il-Gir, located between Munxar and Xlendi. It was reportedly not well-frequented, and little information about it survives.
The current church, dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, was consecrated in 1974, although parts of the building date back to 1868. Each year, on the first Sunday of September, a feast in honor of the patron saint is celebrated. Afternoon festivities include water games held in the bay and the traditional 'gostra', a greasy pole competition in which participants attempt to reach a flag. In the evening, a procession with the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel takes place around the village.
A statue of Saint Andrew, patron saint of fishermen, was erected and inaugurated in 1882 in the part of Xlendi Bay where boats are kept on land during the winter months. Each year, on 30 November, the statue is decorated with lights and flowers.
Underground Emergency Mill
In 1955, an underground emergency mill was excavated into the cliffs behind the Mount Carmel Church. The project involved constructing an entrance tunnel approximately long, high, and wide, leading to a large chamber divided into three levels for storage, grinding, and milling operations. At the rear of the complex is a silo with a storage capacity of about 1,000 tons of wheat, connected to the milling machinery via mechanical augers. Power was supplied by an 80 hp diesel engine and alternator, and the silo could also be accessed from above.The mill was built during the Cold War period, when the threat of nuclear conflict prompted the construction of such facilities. Although designed to be nuclear-resistant, the mill was never used after its completion.
Topography
Xlendi features a distinctive topography characterized by steep cliffs along the sides and a valley at the rear, which channels rainwater from the surrounding villages of Kerċem, Munxar, Fontana, and Victoria into the bay.Xlendi Bay
During the period of British rule, Xlendi Bay was sandy. Over time, the combined effects of water flow from the valley and human activity have transformed it into a pebbly bay. The area remains popular for its rocky formations, particularly on the left side of the bay, which are favored spots for sunbathing and diving.Valleys
Xlendi Valley begins in Fontana, continuing from Lunzjata Valley and Wied l-Għawdxija, and flows into the bay. The valley collects most of the rainwater from the neighboring villages of Kerċem, Munxar, and Fontana. Heavy rainfall can lead to fast-flowing water through Xlendi, occasionally isolating residents and causing flooding in buildings along the main road. The valley is one of the few remaining habitats of the Maltese freshwater crab.Il-Kantra is another valley situated to the left of the bay, near the Xlendi Tower. The name Kantra is derived from the Spanish–Sicilian term Alcantara, referring to the valley's arch-like shape as seen from its entrance. Due to its relative inaccessibility, the area supports a diverse range of flora and fauna. The Knights of St. John constructed a bridge across the Kantra Valley to provide access to Xlendi Tower.
Caves
Numerous caves, both large and small, are located along the sides of the bay. The most notable are:- Caroline Cave — Located on the right-hand cliffs of the bay, this cave once belonged to Caroline Cauchi, a wealthy woman from Victoria. Cauchi later founded the Augustinian Sisters in Gozo and donated most of her property, including this cave. The sisters used it as a private bathing area during the summer months, accessible only by stairs, which ensured their privacy.
- Catherine of Siena Cave—Situated outside the bay on the right-hand side, this cave is noted for its clear blue water. In the 17th century, people lived in the surrounding area and built a church above the cave dedicated to Catherine of Siena, from whom the cave takes its name.
Nature