Caves in Gozo
Roaming around the island of Gozo is like going on a treasure hunt. You will find several natural caves as well as some tunnels. These should be included in your discovery list while exploring Gozo.
The geography of Gozo is very particular, where one will find different layers of rock. Most of the time, the layers are stacked one over the other.
However, along the evolution of the island, there was some shuffling. This movement also gave birth to some terrain caves. Erosion also took part in the formation of caves especially near the sea.
The two most famous caves on Gozo are Tal-Mixta Cave, and Calypso Cave, both of which are found to the north of the island, standing on opposite sides of Ramla beach.
Calypso cave has been famous for many centuries. This is because it is also mentioned by Homer in his Ulysses Odyssey, in Greek mythology. Unfortunately, the cave is closed for public access due to safety reasons, as there is geological movement inside the cave. However, if you have some free time, I suggest you visit the area and enjoy the extraordinary views.
Tal-Mixta Cave is found on the right hand side of Ramla Bay. The natural cave is easily accessible following a short path which leads to a narrow opening in the rock. Once inside, the cave is huge. In the past, cannons were installed in the cave to help defend the bay from approaching pirate ships. You should definitely include this landmark in your tour around the island.
Apart from the two famous caves, there are several small caves. These are usually found on the sides of a hill. Also, some tunnels are present. Tunnels were usually made to pour water out of the soft rock. I would suggest not to enter these tunnels on your own as it is easy to get hurt.
For the adventurous persons, many marine caves dotting the coastline await discovery. Marine caves are made by the erosion caused by the sea, and the continuous crushing of the waves against a crack in the rock. Most of them are submerged nowadays, and host a variety of marine life and corals. If you are into scuba diving, I suggest you contact a professional dive center so as to guide you further.
A view of a marine cave can be seen near Wied Il-Mielah. Found along the North Trekking route, these caves can be easily spotted from the steep coastal shore. Next to them, you will find the Wied Il-Mielah window, an exceptional rock formation carved by the sea.
