July 21 - Feast Day of St. George in Malta

Posted on July 21, 2019

Where is Malta?

This European nation is made up of three inhabited islands and a number of smaller, uninhabited islands. (And islets or, let's be honest, large rocks!) The archipelago of islands are in the Mediterranean Sea, located between Italy and Africa.



It's one of the world's smallest nations, but it is very densely populated and also a beacon to tourists. Its location has historically been of strategic importance for navies and for merchants.

Today people on the Maltese island of Gozo celebrate St. George's Feast Day with traditional horse races and a brass band. 

Check out some of the things that make Gozo, and Malta, special:

One of Gozo's most famous features, the beautiful Azure Window was a natural limestone arch... .



...Until it collapsed in 2017!

Some photographers managed to catch photos of the arch
slowly falling apart.

Here is what the area looks like now. Notice, the rocks and water are still beautiful - not AS special as the arch, of course, but still lovely in the bright sunlight...


...And the part that fell into the sea has become a great spot for divers to explore!


Some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world are located in Gozo and the other islands of Malta.





This looks like just another natural arch...



...until you realize that this one allowed the formation of what is called the Inland Sea. How delightful!



And here is another natural "window"! (It's not called an "arch" because it isn't a curving arc - it's much more shaped like a window, isn't it?)

Hmm...given the fact that other formations have recently
collapsed, I don't think I would walk on top of it!!



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