Gozo History - Travel 2 Gozo

When it comes to history, Gozo is frequently under estimated. The size of Gozo will surely mislead you about the vast history it offers.

Gozo history stretches thousands of years. There is so much detail, that it goes beyond the scope of this platform. At school we were taught that the first settlers were farmers and fishermen originating from Agrigento in Sicily.

Why is Gozo so rich in history?

History is done by men, and men go where there is trade and money. Gozo and Malta are in a strategic position at the center of the Mediterranean Sea. All strong nations seeked to reign over the Maltese island so as to have control over the trade in the Mediterranean Sea.

My island, Gozo was also a scenary of war, passing from one ruler to another. Some countries which had control over Malta and Gozo in the past were the Greek, Spanish, French, Saracens, and English.

The interesting history of Gozo is accompanied by legends and mysterious myths. Gozo is also mentioned in the Greek mythology of Homer’s Odysseus, where it is said that the nymph Calypso kept Odysues for 7 years in a cave in the north.

However, even during the calm periods the local people had to stay alert as Barbarians and Ottoman ships continuously raided the island for goods and slaves. Infact in the early 1500s, Gozo was left almost deserted after a big raid by the Ottomans.

Probably one of the most interesting site of Gozo is the Ggantija temple.

* click to learn about historical sites on Gozo

Historical facts:

* As the governing of the island continuously passed from one ruler to another, the local people evolved to be very adaptive to change.

* The knights of St. John stopped the Ottoman invasion which would have shaped the history of Europe.

* Saracen's rule left a big influence on architecture and language. Infact the Maltese language is a semitic language of the Arabic language with some words originating from French, Italian, and English.

* St. Paul's shipwreck in the 60 AD marks a permanent and strong change in the local religion.

Gozo in the Past

The Gozo in the past section represents the way island was in the past, and its evolution through time.

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Why is Gozo so rich in history?

Probably one of the most interesting site of Gozo is the Ggantija temple.

Oldest religious temple in the world

One of the oldest free standing temples

Myth that the temple was built by giants

* click to learn about historical sites on Gozo

Historical facts:

* As the governing of the island continuously passed from one ruler to another, the local people evolved to be very adaptive to change.

* The knights of St. John stopped the Ottoman invasion which would have shaped the history of Europe.

* Saracen's rule left a big influence on architecture and language. Infact the Maltese language is a semitic language of the Arabic language with some words originating from French, Italian, and English.

* St. Paul's shipwreck in the 60 AD marks a permanent and strong change in the local religion.

Gozo in the Past

The Gozo in the past section represents the way island was in the past, and its evolution through time.