en G%C4%A7arb

Għarb

L-Għarb
Garbo
Għarb L-Għarb Garbo
Local council
	Collegiate Basilica of the Visitation
	Flag Coat of arms
	Motto(s): In Estremo Vigilat; (Sentinel at the Borderline)
	Għarb
	Coordinates: 36°3′40″N 14°12′33″E / 36.06111°N 14.20917°E
Country	Malta
Region	Gozo Region
District	Gozo and Comino District
Borders	Kerċem, Għasri, San Lawrenz
Government
• Mayor	David Apap Agius; (Għarb l-Ewwel)
Area
• Total	4.6 km2 (1.8 sq mi)
Population (2021)
• Total	1,549
• Density	340/km2 (870/sq mi)
Demonym	Tal-Għarb
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	GRB
Dialing code	356
ISO 3166 code	MT-14
Patron saint	Visitation of Our Lady to Saint Elizabeth
Website	Official website

Għarb (Maltese: L-Għarb) is an administrative unit of Malta, located at the westernmost point of the island of Gozo, with a population of 1,549 people (as of 2021).^[1]

Etymology

The name Għarb (غرب) comes from the Arabic word for "West," referring to the village being at the westernmost point on Gozo and all of the Maltese archipelago.

History

Għarb started as a small hamlet which developed around the middle ages. One can see its ancient roots in the centre of the village where some houses have fine examples of decorated stone balconies. Għarb was created as a parish in 1679, a move which gave impetus for the building of a new, baroque parish church. Built between 1699 and 1729, it has a façade which has been compared to Francesco Borromini's Church of Saint Agnes in Piazza Navona, Rome. On the square is a folklore museum housing memorabilia recounting the rural history of the Maltese islands.

Landmarks

Għarb lies in some of Gozo's most scenic countryside, particularly at Dbieġi, the highest hill on Gozo. Also at Dbieġi is a centre for Gozitan crafts. Within the limits of Għarb is the Chapel of San Dimitri. According to legend, the first chapel was built on the cliff side by a woman whose son was freed from captivity by St. Demetrius. Also nearby is the Basilica ta' Pinu, Malta's pre-eminent shrine to Our Lady of Ta' Pinu. The parish church, also a basilica, is dedicated to the Visitation of Saint Mary to her cousin Saint Elizabeth.