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Gozo, which in Maltese is called Għawdex (pronounced: Awdesh), is a derivation of other older names such as Gaulos. It has an area of 67 square kms, is 14 kms long and 7 kms wide. With a coastline of 43 km, it is the second largest island of the Maltese Archipelago that, together with the smaller isle of Comino and the main island of Malta forms the Republic of Malta. Gozo is popularly called The Island of Calypso, which is a nickname originating from the Greek mythological location of Ogygia referred to in Homer's Odyssey. In this epic poem, the fabled island was controlled by the nymph Calypso, who had detained the Greek hero Odysseus for seven long years as prisoner of love.
There is a regular ferry service from Malta's northernmost point of Cirkewwa to Mġarr, Gozo's main harbour. Gozo Channel Co. Ltd. operates the service on roll-on / roll-off passenger and car ferries. Trips take about 30 minutes. Presently Gozo Channel has a fleet of three vessels; the MV Malita, the MV Gaudos and the MV Ta' Pinu; all built at the Malta Shipyards in the late ninties. This service is frequent (see time-table below) and during summer extra trips are organised, almost on a shuttle basis.
The Summer time-table runs from the beginning of June to the end of September. During this period there is approximately a trip every 45 minutes. Trip frequency is reduced slightly in winter and the service may even be suspended due to bad weather. In case of doubt, or for information, one should phone the time-table enquiries at any of these offices:
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01.15 |
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01.45 |
| 03.45 |
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04.15 |
| 05.00 |
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05.45 |
| 06.00 |
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06.30 (Mon only) |
| 06.30 (Mon only) |
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06.45 (Tue to Sun) |
| 06.45 (Tue to Sun) |
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07.00 (Mon only) |
| 07.00 (Mon only) |
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07.30 |
| 07.30 |
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08.15 |
| 08.15 |
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09.00 |
| 09.00 |
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09.45 |
| 09.45 |
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10.30 |
| 10.30 |
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11.15 |
| 11.15 |
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12.00 |
| 12.00 |
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12.45 |
| 12.45 |
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13.30 |
| 13.30 |
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14.15 |
| 14.15 |
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15.00 |
| 15.00 |
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15.45 |
| 15.45 |
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16.30 |
| 16.30 |
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17.15 |
| 17.15 |
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18.00 |
| 18.15 |
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19.00 |
| 19.30 |
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20.00 |
| 20.45 |
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21.15 |
| 22.00 |
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22.30 |
| 23.30 |
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24.00 |
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Operates Monday, Tuesday and Thursday excluding the eve of and Public holidays
Crossing time: Approx.90 mins |
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DEPARTURE
MGARR - GOZO |
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DEPARTURE
SA MAISON-MALTA |
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Please call on 21561622, 21556016 / 22109001 |
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Please call on 21561622, 21556016 / 22109001 |
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The Company's current standard Terms and Conditions of Carriage apply to the conveyance of passengers, goods and vehicles.
Copies of the Conditions are available on request from the Company's offices or click here to view more information.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SERVICES
- Maltacom ‘Tellme’ card service with a dial number 21215111
- go mobile menu on the Smart SIM (section: Travel);
or
- WAP & go Live! (http://wap.go.com.mt)
- Vodafone SMS Flash Service. Send a blank SMS to the following numbers:
Mgarr - Cirkewwa 5090 2233
Cirkewwa - Mgarr 5090 2244
- PDA and Mobile Gozo Channel schedule access facility at: gozochannel.com/pda
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Gozo Channel Office Contacts:
| MGARR - GOZO |
21 561622 / 556016 / 22109001 |
| CIRKEWWA - MALTA |
21 580435 / 580436 | | |
* POPULATION Gozo was first inhabited before the Neolithic Period (ca. 4th Millenium BC). Even so, according to archaeological finds, this means that Gozo received its first inhabitants from Sicily before mainland Malta. Today's Gozitan has typical Mediterranean features that closely match with Spanish or Italian looks. Gozitans are renowned hard-workers, religiously influenced and with an admirable sense of hospitality. The population of Gozo stands at about 31,000 and is distributed amongst Victoria and the surrounding thirteen villages.
* LANGUAGE The official language is Maltese which is spoken in a distinguished dialect that amazingly differs slightly from one village to another. As applies for the whole Maltese islands, the language has Semitic origins and Romance influences, while the English language stands as the second official language.
* RELIGION is predominantly Roman Catholic. The village parish church is evidently the nucleus of local life and there are over 40 churches and chapels scattered around the island. Gozo has its own Diocese and its Seminary since 1864. The Bishop of Gozo has his seat at the Gozo Cathedral in Victoria.
* CROSSING FROM MALTA Gozo could be reached in two ways; either by Ferry or by Seaplane. The most common is the Ferry service between Mgarr Harbour in Gozo and Cirkewwa Harbour in Malta, with a basically roll-on/roll-off schedule. However, there is a convenient Seaplane service operating between Valletta Waterfront in Malta and Mgarr Harbour Gozo.
* TRANSPORT is provided by a fair service of buses from Mgarr to Victoria and vice-versa and from Victoria to all towns and villages in Gozo. The main bus terminus is situated in Victoria and route numbers are on the front of the buses. Taxi stands are found in Victoria and Mgarr. One can also go around in hired cars, motorbikes and bicycles. In Gozo as in Malta and Britain, vehicle traffic travels on the left-hand side of the road. The relatively short travel distances make trekking and hiking in Gozo a worthwhile venture.
* CLIMATE is typically Mediterranean. It is generally mild in winter save for the first four to six weeks of the year when it is normally a bit cool, wet and sometimes unpredictable. The average temperature for winter is 16 degrees Celsius and it covers the period between December and March. Summer is rather long, dry and sunny, with August being the warmest month. The average temperature for summer is 25 degrees Celsius and it covers the period between April and November.
* CURRENCY The Maltese currency since January 2008 is the Euro. |
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