Qala

About Qala

Qala is located at the easternmost point of Gozo and is the village furthest village from the capital Victoria. Qala is both Arabic and Maltese for sheltered haven or bay, and this is reflected in its coat of arms – a Gozo boat sailing on rough seas. The village parish church is dedicated to Saint Joseph and was built by Dun Guzepp Diacono, between the years 1882 and 1889. Its style is baroque as in many other churches on the island. Qala became a parish on 3 February 1872, and until 1889 the parish church was that of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady. The foundation stone of the parish of Saint Joseph was laid on 19 March 1882 and the church was consecrated on 8 May 1904.

It has taken its name from the Qala ('port') of Ħondoq ir-Rummien. Qala can be found in the easternmost part of Gozo and has been inhabited since early times. The development of the present settlement began in the second half of the seventeenth century. It is a pleasant and rural place with many natural and historic attractions. Though Qala is the farthest village from Gozo's capital, Victoria, it is the closest to the rest of the Maltese archipelago, and the rocky hillsides of Qala and an unobstructed view of the islands of Malta and Comino. Both islands can be seen from Qala's Belvedere and also from the small courtyard in front of the small church known as Il-Madonna tal-Blat (Our Lady of the Rocks). This church can be found whilst going down to Ħondoq ir-Rummien and faces Comino. Legend has it that it was built so that the people of Camino could follow Holy Mass from across the straits when rough weather precluded a priest from crossing there. Except for a few sheltered inlets, like the popular Ħondoq ir-Rummien, Qala's coastline is largely rugged. Among the many sea caves found along the coast is Għar Minka, which is accessible only by boat.

Sites of historical interest in and around Qala include the salt pans, a well-preserved windmill and prehistoric remains. One can find examples of cart ruts, (parallel tracks cut into the rock) which extend over 180 metres (590 ft) and are some of the longest on Gozo.