brochure 20 ramla walk

7/30/2019 Brochure 20 Ramla Walk

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IntroductionThis circular walk starts and ends in Nadur. This walk willlead you from Triq Duru, to Wied Binemma a typicalGozitian valley where traditional agricultural methodsmay be observed.

The route then proceeds to the outskirts of Nadur, knownas Ta Venuta. During this part of the walk, you will enjoythe breathtaking views of one of the most fertile valleysthat can be found on this small island. Along this part ofthe walk you will also be able to closely observe the typicalgarigue habitat.

On arriving at Ramla Bay, you will discover a treasure in itsown right, featuring remarkable ecological, geological,historical and archaeological highlights. The walk proceedsby means of an old and quiet road which will guide youaround the base of Nuffara ridge. On the way back toNadur, from Ta Xajma road, you will come across theold watch tower, perched on an elevated part on thevillage plateau.

A route map found in the centre pages of this booklet,together with several stone plinths located along thisroute, will help you follow along. Sticking to the set routeaffords a fascinating cross-section of the Gozitancountryside, folklore and traditions.

Distance: 10 kmsTime: 4 hours


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his walk starts from Duru Streetwhich is the first road on your

left-hand side, if you arrive at Nadur

via Ta Xajma Street. Along thisroad, you can feast your eyes on thesplendid, panoramic views of thevillages of Xewkija, Xagra, ebbu,Victoria and The Citadel.

In winter, Nuffara hill is coveredwith a variety of wild colourful

flowers, with the Cape Sorrel beingthe most abundant.

From this high vantage point youcannot help but notice the unique,hilly, Gozitan landscape that sets itapart from the sister island of Malta.This unique topography is the result

of a succession of several land driftscaused by tectonic movementsthroughout the ages. These have led

to the formation of the Maltesearchipelago and of the numerousrock faults present within them.

Continue along this road until youreach a street named Trejqet SantaLuija. This narrow side street leadsto Ta ida Street. Ta ida refersto the place where the Hobby Falconnests and which has acquired itsname due to the fact that this regal

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The Walk

T

Panoramic views from Duru Street

Part of Ramla Bay

GOZO C O U N T R Y S I D E W A L K S


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bird used to raise its young in cracks

in the cliff side nearby.

This area is the oldest part of thevillage of Nadur. People have livedhere long before the village ofNadur was declared a parish in 1688.This is evident through the presenceof many old houses featuring old

balconies and open-air staircases.

Further along the road you canenjoy some enchanting views ofRamla Bay, as well as of the valleyleading to it. Note the terracedfields enclosed by rubble walls,typical of the Maltese and Gozitan

countryside. These rubble wallsserve many functions and aremainly used to prevent soil erosionas a result of wind and rain, as wellas to mark the limits of theindividual plots. Additionally, inrecent years, it has been recognisedthat these walls have actually

developed mini-ecosystems andhave become the natural habitat tomany species, including the lizard.

Once you have reached the mainroad that leads to Ramla Bay, cross

the road and walk to WiedBinemma Street. This road offersunique spectacular views of atypically cultivated valley. Fromamong the recently built houses to

your left, you can catch a glimpse ofthe village centre of Nadur,dominated by the majestic baroque

church. Work on the church,designed by the Maltese architectGiuseppe Bonnii, began on the 7thDecember 1760. In 1904 the aisle,dome and faade, designed byProf. F.S. Sciortino, were added tothe original building. The church is

2A group of frogsenjoying the first morning sun

Nadurs village centre


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open everyday from 05.00 until10.00 hrs and from 16.15 until 19.15hrs.

From here you can see anothersmaller, privately owned church.Rev. Joseph Vella originally had thischurch built and now his relatives

pay for its maintenance. Thefoundation stone was laid on the4th May 1902. The paintings on thedome, ceiling and altar piece are byProf. Guiseppe Briffa.

Along the road, the built landscapegives way to views of the open

countryside. This area is calledWied Binemma and in winter awatercourse flows along the left-

A typical reed wind breaker

The fragile flower of the Tassel Hyacinth3



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hand side of this road. It is almostimpossible to miss is the Great Reed

that typically grows near valleybanks and along watercourses.

Local inhabitants use the dried caneof this plant for various purposes.Rows of this cane are tied togetherto produce the familiar windbreakers that are used to shield the

crops from the northern wind inwinter. The reed curtains that canbe seen covering the front doorsand windows of Gozitan houses arealso made of this reed which is cutand tied together with pieces ofrope.

Virtually all year round, tadpoles ofthe Painted Frog, the onlyamphibian of the Maltese islands,

4A very old olive tree at Wied Binemma

An orchard of citrus trees


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can be seen swimming in this clearwatercourse. Due to the areas

plentiful fresh water supply, manydifferent fruit trees have beenplanted in the surrounding fields.These orchards consist mainly ofcitrus, pomegranate and apple treesas well as vines.

A wide variety of vegetables isgrown in other fields.

Proceeding along this fertile area ofundisturbed countryside, you willcome accross a small olive grove.The lichens (a successful alliancebetween a fungus and an alga) that

The flower of the Field Bindweed The common Blue Butterfly

A typical rubble wall

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grow on the branches indicate thatthese trees are very old. The lichensfound on these olive trees are veryrare on the Maltese islands, and thisvalley is one of the few habitatswhere this species can be found.

From this point, San Blas, a secludedarea in the village of Nadur, can beseen towering on the left hand sideof the valley. You can also notequite a number of backyardgardens. If you continue walkingalong this road you will reach asmall room, which houses aborehole. This borehole is operatedby the Water Services Corporation,which manages the islands groundwater sources. Similar boreholes arecommon along the valleys in Gozo,Comino and Malta.

Here the road ends in a T-junction,where you should take the road to

your left. Walk uphill along this

The Roman Villa

Remains of this villa were discovered in 1910 by some local farmers who weredigging in the sand near the remains of the old battery. While they were diggingthey unearthed some pieces of fine marble. That evening these farmers went tothe local wine shop and talked about what they had found. A school headmaster,Mr Farrugia, happened to be in the same shop and overheard the story andimmediately phoned Sir Temi Zammit, who at the time was the Museums Director.

Sir Temi Zammit showed up at Ramla Bay the following morning. The excavationsrevealed the remains of a Roman villa complete with baths. The villa had about 19rooms some of which were decorated with mosaic and marble; the villa was alsofound to be fitted with a heatingand drainage system. The artefactsthat were found are now preservedat the National Museum inValletta. Following excavationsand proper recording, the remainsof this villa have once again beenburied under sand for the sake of

protection.

Ramla Bay

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The area where the Roman Villa is buried


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road until you arrive at a pointwhere the road forks into two. Thistime take the road to your right.

This part of the walk continues inopen countryside. Once again theroad leads to crossroads - take theroad to your left (1), which proceedsto Ramla Road. While following theroad downhill (2), you can spot anold field-house that has a traditionalpigeonry in one of its rooms.

Passing by this field-house, you willarrive at the T-junction near the bigvineyard which flanks the road.Take the right turning and proceedto Ramla Bay. Here, a large parkingarea, telephone box and publictoilets are available. Ramla boastsunique historical, geographical, and

natural features waiting to bediscovered.

On arriving at Ramla Bay, the firstthing that will probably capture

The statue of the Madonna dates back to 18817

Batteries and Redoubts

These batteries and redoubts werearmed with the necessary weapons,usually between four to ten 12-poundercannons, to prevent enemy forces fromlanding on the island. The militaryarchitects DArginy, Fontete andBachelius devised the plan of theseredoubts and presented it in the Reportof January 10, 1715. These plans were

further developed by the Frenchmilitary architect Vendsome.

Remains of the Ramla Left Belancourt Battery



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8

The Underwater Wall

The Fougasse

your attention, other than thebeach itself, is a small slope located

along the side of the parking area.Here you can see the heavily erodedremains of an old building. Theseare the remains of the Ramla LeftBalincourt Battery. In all there werethree batteries located at RamlaBay. The second battery is theRamla Vendsome Redoubt,

formerly located in the centre ofRamla Bay. However, in 1881 it wasreplaced by a votive statue of theMadonna. Behind this statue youcan still see some stone slabs, whichonce formed part of this redoubt.The third battery, the Ramla RightBalincourt Battery, was built in a

cave on the cliffs of Nadur. The cavecan still be seen from the bay. Someelderly people from Nadur maintainthat a staircase used to connect thisbattery to the bay.

These batteries were built aroundGozo between 1715 and 1716. The

three batteries at Ramla Bay werealso protected by an entrenchmentwall, which was set up in the sea.

Underwater Defences

A complex series of fortificationswere devised for Ramla Bay,including the building of anunderwater entrenchment wall. Thelatter spans the whole bay andalthough invisible from the sea, isvery effective in preventing vesselsfrom reaching the beach. The wall isbest seen from Calypsos Cave,where you will be able to see a darkjagged line across the bay.

Fougasses

Fougasses were excavated as closeas possible to the shore with theiraxles pointing towards the mostprobable route that the enemywould take. The defenders wouldcharge the fougasses with a barrel ofgunpowder and then load them withrocks, keeping the largest rocks atthe bottom.

Fougasses were meant to dischargea shower of stones that would causea great deal of damage to the enemygalleys. If they missed however, thefougasses needed about one hour tobe reloaded, but the Knightsoptimism was inexhaustible. This isshown by a quote from BoisgelinsAncient and Modern Malta,Appendix IV: even if they miss theiraim they inspire great terror, fromthe apprehension that a secondattempt may be more successful.


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The latter can still be seen from ahigh vantage point such asCalypsos Cave at Xagra. Theseentrenchments were a form ofirregularly shaped lines of defencebuilt close to the shore facing theopen sea. On the eastern side ofRamla Bay, lying on the edge of the

seashore, is a large rock with a bigcircular hole in it. This hole used to

form part of the defensive systemand is known as a fougasse.

The most evident feature of Ramlabay is its red sand, which is theresult of the natural erosion of thegreen sand rock - a thin layer of softrock found on both sides of the bay.Once the sand is formed, waves andcurrents help to keep the sandashore.

During the winter months, a largeamount of rainwater flows from thevalley into the sea. This forms apond of brackish water and GreatReeds grow by its banks. In summer,this pond does not dry outcompletely and the Killifish, an

endemic brackish water fish, can beseen in it.

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The sand dunes of Ramla Bay

Ramla Bay as seen from the cave that formed part of the Ramla Right Balincourt Battery



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The sand dunes and their fragileecosystems have become quite rare

in the Maltese islands, as mostother sandy beaches have sufferedsignificant impacts owing tointensive development.

The sand dunes also provide theappropriate habitat for thenumerous African Tamarisk trees.

These trees harbour a variety ofbirds and reptiles. Since their rootsare firmly anchored in the sand,they reduce sand dune erosionconsiderably.

The main plants that grow in thesesand dunes consist of the Sea Holly,

Sea Daffodil, the Woolly Safflower,the Smooth-leaved Saltwort and

The sea holly

A fire bug resting on the flower of the bushy restharrow12


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the Bushy Restharrow. All theseplants have developed manyadaptations that help them survivein these harsh, dry and highly salineconditions. Since the sand dunesare not static and their shapechanges at a relatively fast rate,these plants have also managed tocope with surviving in a disturbedenvironment. They can even survivewhen they are buried under thesand.

This habitat also harbours a varietyof insect species. They live on plantsor else are found burrowing in thesand. Many different spiders are

The water catchment Dams


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The bushy restharrows flower in detail


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found here but they are usually verywell camouflaged and hard to spot.

On the shoreline, a whole newecosystem exists. You may spotsmall worms called swat

burrowing in the wet sand near thesea. Additionally, several otherorganisms live in the Posidoniaseaweed that is washed ashore.

As Ramla Bay is the most popular

14The sea at Ramla Bay when windy

The old road to Ramla as seen from high point


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bay in Gozo, a large number ofpeople visit the site, particularly insummer.

On leaving the beach, retrace yoursteps back to the T-junction. This

time keep walking straight ahead,along the road to Xagra. On theright-hand side of the road you cansee the small water-catchmentdams. These are used byneighbouring farmers to gather the


The Sea Medic

The detail and the beauty of the tree mallows flower

15The Sea Daffodil


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rainwater. This is then used toirrigate their crops and fruit treesduring the dry summer months.

Continue walking along this roaduntil it starts going uphill. At thispoint turn into a narrow side-roadto your left (3). This side road iscalled Old Ramla road, since it was

the only road that led to Ramla from

the village of Xagra. This road willtake you around the base ofNuffara Ridge which is situatedright between the slopes of Nadurand Xagra.

In-Nuffara, which is now in asecluded and undisturbed part ofthis open countryside, must have

been a very busy place during theprehistoric era. Archaeologicalfindings revealed six roundly cutholes with large bell-shapedrecesses below. These probablyserved as tombs in the Tarxienperiod for the gantija people (2400- 2200 B.C.) and as silos or cisterns

during the Bronze Age period (1450 -300B.C.). Shards belonging to theArab period were also foundscattered around on this hill andthese finds indicate that it was usedas a settlement by Arabs.

Walking along this quiet and

secluded road instils a deep sense ofthe beauty and serenity of theGozitan countryside. A right turnleads into a side road that develops

The old road to Ramla Bay

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Walking along the old road to Ramla


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Ta amet Chapel

This chapel, known locally as Ta amet, isdedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It was built

by Liberato Grech who was responsible for theuprising of the Gozitans against the French. On 12thJune 1789, Napoleon took over the islands and theera of the Knights of Malta came to an end after 268years of rule. The French troops who crossed over toGozo were posted at Fort Chambrai and the Citadel.The French imposed new laws that the locals didnot accept as they went against Gozitan traditionsand customs. The French repealed the authority of

the church, severed all connections with Rome andonly allowed each religious order to have oneconvent. To add insult to injury, most of thechurches were ransacked.

By the 2nd September 1798, the Maltese started their revolt against the French.News spread to the sister island of Gozo and the locals started to preparethemselves for battle. It was Archpriest Saverio Cassar together with some Gozitanleaders who organised the plot to overthrow the French. Liberato Grech, who was

from Xagra, was given command of a group of men from Xagra and Xewkija,while a lawyer, Dr Giuseppe Grima was in command of a group from ebbu. TheFrench retreated into the fortifications. Fort Chambrai was conquered on the nightbetween 16 and 17th September 1798 and the Citadel was taken a few days later.

As a gesture of thanksgiving for victory over the French, Liberato Grech built thischapel, which was then blessed by his son, Canon Salvatore Grech. A farmhousewith a stone plinth bearing a carving of the souls in purgatory is located across theroad, in front of the chapel.

The altarpiece inside the chapel depicts Our Lady of MountCarmel holding Baby Jesus in her lap. It was painted in 1883by Tommaso Madiona. The importance of this painting liesin the fact that the artist included a view of the chapel witha typical Gozitan landscape as the background for the lowerpart of the painting.

To the left, is a painting of St Michael by Antonio Falzon,which was installed in 1844, while an old baroque paintingof the Immaculate Conception hangs in the vestry.Although the artist is still unknown, the picture is believedto be a replica of the alterpiece of the Cospicua Church inMalta.

Ta amet Chapel


Carving of Souls in Purgatory


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The Wall Brown Butterfly

into a T-junction. Taking theturning to the right and walkingstraight ahead (4), you will arrive ata main road. At this point youshould turn left and pass by Taamet chapel. The chapel has aclassical faade with the twin belltowers being a later addition. Thenew chapel was built side-by-sidethe old chapel, which had becometoo small for its congregation.

Although the chapel is open daily,

the front door of the old chapel isnormally kept closed as service isusually held in the new chapel. Thechapel may be accessed through thevestry to the right of the front door,or by crossing the car park on theright hand side of the chapel.

Leaving the chapel and walkingstraight on, you will arrive at a

Distant views of the Citadel


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Ta Kenuna Signal Tower

A closer look at the Red Flower of Sulla

roundabout. Take a left turn andwalk along the Ta Xajma road tothe starting point of the walk.

As you walk uphill along TaXajma road, note the signal towerthat stands on a high ridge. ThisSignal tower is known as TaKenuna. It was built during theEnglish rule in the middle of thenineteenth century. The tower was

later used as a telegraph post.Today the tower has been restoredand is still being used forcommunication purposes, as theantennae set up on its roof indicate.

After a long walk along Ta Xajmaroad, you will reach the starting

point of this fascinating walkingtour.


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Facts About The Route

The route is suitable for pedestrians, horse rides and pedal bikes.Most of the route is accessible to small vehicles servicing persons withdisabilities.Before setting out, check the local bus schedule to avoid being stranded.Since most of the walk is in open countryside, check the local weatherforecast and carry a raincoat when the weather is not stable.After heavy downpours, allow a few hours to pass as crossing valleysmight be unsafe.The use of adequate hiking shoes is recommended. Tread carefully whenroute takes you over clay footpaths.As most of the route is in the open countryside it is advisable to carry apacked lunch.It is possible to buy food at Nadur.Public convenience places are available at Ramla Bay and Nadur.

The Green Valley of Ramla

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The following table depicts typical average weather conditions including temperature,hours of sunshine/ day, rainfall and sea temperatures. Walking conditions are mostfavourable during the months of January, February, May, November and December.


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Useful Telephone Numbers

Emergency and rescue: 112Ambulance: 196Police Station: 191Telephone Enquiries: 1182

Ministry for Gozo: 21 56 14 82website: www.gozo.gov.mtMalta Tourism Authority: 22 91 50 00website: www.visitmalta.comGozo Tourism Association: 21 56 51 71Nadur Local Council: 21 55 80 80

A typical field house

OtherUseful Information

All rights reserved. No part of thispublication may be reproduced,stored in a retrieval system, ortransmitted in any form or by anymeans, electronic, mechanical,photocopying, recording orotherwise, without the priorwritten consent of the copyrightholder. Direct enquires are to be

forwarded to the Malta TourismAuthority.

Feedback or comments are welcome.Email: [email protected]

Date of Publication: March 2005

Text: Etienne Micallef Photos: Etienne Micallef

Map: Andre Micallef Grimaund

Produced by the:Malta Tourism AuthoritysProduct Planningand Development Directorate

Tips For The Road

Walk only along the set route.Fields are privately owned so please do nottake any short cuts.Do not climb over rubble walls, they areeasily damaged.Do not leave any litter. Dispose of all litterappropriately.Respect the privacy of people living alongthe route.

Do not pick any flowers and plants, takeonly photographs.Do not widen any trails by trampling.Do not throw any stones or other objectsinto the valleys or freshwater bodies.It is advisable to tackle the route in broaddaylight allowing stops, for resting,viewing, photographing, etc.Avoid walking or cycling close to the cliffedges. Beware of sudden guests of wind.Bird trapping and hunting are practisedin the countryside. There are, however,strict regulations determining areaswhere such activities are permitted andtimes of the year where no such

activities are allowed.


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Ta urdan Walk

Passing through:Garb - Wied il-Miela

Gasri Valley - Ta urdanTa Pinu

Walks in the series (issued to date)

Saltpan Walk

Passing through:Victoria - Sara ValleyGasri - Gasri ValleyReqqa Point - Xwejni

Gozo Countryside Walks is a partnership projectof the:

Ministry for Gozo, Ministry for Tourism and

Culture, the Malta Tourism Authority andthe Gozo Tourism Association

The project was launched in 2002, the World

Dalet Qorrot Walk

Passing through:Nadur - Dalet Qorrot BayTa Griegel Valley - Qala

Barija Walk

Passing through:Barija - Barija Valley - Mtahleb

Tal-Vigarju Cliffs - Fiddien Valley -Rabat

Girgenti Walk

Passing through:Buskett - Gar il-kbir -Girgenti ValleySiiewi - Il-Maqluba - Qrendi

Marfa Ridge Walk

Passing through:Gadira - L-Arax tal-Melliea -

Armier - Marfa - irkewwa -Ras il-Qammieh

Dwejra Lines Walk

Passing through:Marr - Binemma - Dwejra LinesSperanza Valley - Mosta

Ramla WalkWhile hiking along this route, you will explore several of Gozos natural, geological,historical and traditional features. However, particularly distinctive of this walk are therelaxing sounds of one of the most fertile valleys on the island. Here you will discover

the unique colour of the red sand at Ramla and enjoy the panoramic views offered bythe Gozitan countryside.

Ramla Bay Walk

Passing through:Nadur - Wied BinemmaRamla Bay - Ta amet

brochure 20 ramla walk

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