Safeguarding Gozo’s cultural and environmental heritage

Abstract

Gozo has long been considered as a tranquil island, sought for its natural beauty, heritage and calmness which provides a break from the fast, busy and noisy everyday life in Malta. Tourists from all over the world flock to the jewel in the middle of the Mediterranean for a holiday consisting of a mixture of cultural, geographical and gastronomical experiences. Besides historical buildings such as the Citadel and the various churches around the island, tourists are in particularly attracted to the naturalistic aspect of Gozo, such as Dwejra, Ramla and Wied il-Għasri, and are awed by the countryside through which they pass to reach their destinations. Whilst roaming the streets of Gozo’s villages, they are charmed by the traditional buildings and their decorations such as the wooden balcony and the various sculptured decorations found in a number of facades on the island. [excerpt]