Għajnsielem

As soon as you enter Mgarr Harbour, while still aboard the ferry, you could not help but notice the welcoming landmarks of the harbour village of Ghajnsielem. Lourdes Chapel with its sharp steeple and underlying niche of Our Lady of Lourdes, Fort Chambray on the left-hand side dominating the high grounds and, on the distant background, the towering belfry of Ghajnsielem's Parish Church.
Ghajnsielem is the first Gozitan village that will greet you as soon as you leave Mgarr Harbour towards the Gozitan heartland. Its name originated from the water spring, around which in 1700, Grandmaster Perellos built an arcade containing public washbasins and fresh water spouts. So without any stretch of imagination, the name Ghajnsielem means "a peaceful spring".
A visit to Ghajnsielem should include Mgarr Harbour and fishing village. Ideally next comes Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel from where, especially at sunset, a beautiful view of Mgarr Harbour could be enjoyed. The 18th Century Fort Chambray, which was once unsuccessfully planned to be Gozo's Valletta, is also worth noting especially its perimeter. Up there you can discover views of Gozo's southern cliffs, Xatt l-Aħmar Bay and those of the Northern Comino Channel. The narrow winding road leading to peaceful bay of Xatt l-Ahmar could be traced from there, or else you could endeavour towards the village centre for a visit to the majestic Lombard-Gothic sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto. In the vicinity there is also the old parish church and the mysterious "Pjazza tad-Dehra" (square of the apparition) where it is believed that Our Lady has spoken to a local shepherd Anglu Grech. The parish owes its origin to the story of this apparition. A visit to the old Franciscan convent and church of St. Anthony of Padua is also worthwhile. Apart from the tranquillity of the area surrounding the convent, one could not remain anything less than charmed by the views upon the Gozo Channel particularly early in the morning or late at sunset.

USEFUL INFORMATION

How to go: From Victoria Bus Terminus, bus no. 25 (to Mgarr Harbour) or no. 42/43 (via Nadur and Qala)
Interesting Features:
1. Mgarr Harbour and Fishing Village
2. Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel with Mgarr Harbour viewpoint
3. Fort Chambray and views of Gozo's southern Cliffs
4. Access to Ix-Xatt l-Ahmar Bay and views
5. Lombard-Gothic Parish Church dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto

Festa of Our Lady of Loreto - Għajnsielem

The community of Għajnsielem celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Loreto on the closest weekend to the end of August. Għajnsielem, just off Mġarr harbour, took its name from a spring situated inf Wied Simirat, the valley that now ends in Pjazza tad-Dehra in the very centre of the village.
A church in honour of Our Lady of Loreto was built by 1820. This church, which is still standing, became a parish church during the bishopric of Publius Maria Sant on 26 January 1855.
The foundation stone of the new and larger parish church was laid on 14 September 1924. It was blessed on 27 August 1978 and consecrated on 18 August 1989. This was built in Lombard gothic style and in the form of a latin cross. On 3 Sepember 1965, the parish became Archipresbyteral.
The titular statue of Our Lady of Loreto was manufactured by Gallard et Fils of Marseilles. It was blessed on 14th October 1866 when it was carried in a procession from Mġarr Harbour to Għajnsielem.