DISCOVERING THE ARABIAN FOOTPRINTS IN IN-NADUR

The Grandma visits In-Nadur in Gozo

The Grandma loves languages and she likes knowing the origin of words. Mediterranean culture is a mix of dozens of ancient cultures that have left their footprints in our present days. 

If you can discover the meaning and the origin of words, you can understand our common past and be sure that we have something in common: an amazing incredible sea, cradle of civilizations and mother of our current cultures.

Nadur, in Maltese In-Nadur, is a village in Gozo. The word Nadur which in Maltese means look out, is derived from the Arabic word nadara. The town's motto means much the same.

There are no documents or archaeological evidence which could shed light on the colonization of In-Nadur by its first inhabitants. Nevertheless, the plateau and its surroundings, with a few farmhouses scattered here and there, were in existence for many years well before the area became a parish. The only trace of archaeological evidence were a number of large flat stones found in a field between San Blas Bay and Daħlet Qorrot. 

More information: Nadur Local Council

According to the Gozitan historian Giovanni Pietro Francesco Agius de Soldanis these roofed structures, which are not in existence anymore, once used to serve as a sort of temple to the gods. He also imagined that these slabs of stone couldn't have been placed there by normal people but by very strong people or giants. He also wrote that In-Nadur may have been founded during the time of the Greeks. One proof of this connection is a bronze statue of Apollo said to be found in In-Nadur in 1744.

Joseph de Ca'th Lon at Isopu Tower

Throughout history In-Nadur played a very important role in the defense of the island from corsairs, hence the name.

During the reign of the Knights of St. John, a watch tower was built by Grandmaster Nicolas Cotoner which has been referred to by Dahlet Qorrot Tower or San Blas Tower for the two bays lying on either side of it. The tower is locally known as Isopu Tower. Another watchtower found in Isopu Tower is Ta' Kenuna Tower built by the British towards the middle of the 19th century. It served as a telegraph link between Malta and Gozo. 

From the top of this semaphore tower, one can see most of the island, Comino and the northern part of Malta with a wonderful view in winter of the green fields and the blue sea. The area near the tower was constructed into a beautiful garden in which one can find many local plants and trees.

One can also rest on benches while looking at the panoramic view of nearly the whole islands and the Malta and Gozo Channel.

More information: Visit Gozo

There are about 20 farmers in In-Nadur, the majority of whom work their fields on part-time basis. From the orchards of In-Nadur come most of the local fruits such as plums, peaches, apples, oranges and lemons. This produce maintained commercial contacts with Malta for over 3000 years. Today this commerce is still ongoing and a great amount of Maltese citrus is produced from In-Nadur.

Tina Picotes & Claire Fontaine at Ta' Kenuna Tower

Main square area centers basically around the parish church, with a host of shops, eateries, snack bars, and mostly residential housing. 

Important places of interest in the center are Sacred  Heart, Ta' Karkanja church and Franciscan Sisters convent.

Ta' Hida's main artery surrounds Ramla Bay's main road, which is particularly busy in the summertime. San Blas has both residential areas, relatively old and new, very fertile land and picturesque valleys, full of mainly citrus trees. San Blas takes the name after the little secluded red-sandy bay, called after bishop Blaise, whose veneration still exists in the Catholic Church up to today. A nearby beach is Daħlet Qorrot with many locals owning caves and garages where many keep their fishing boats. Nearby is San Blas, a tiny, sandy bay on the north-eastern coast. It is a favourite spot for swimming for local residents. Close to San Blas, one finds also a bushy arid area called il-Qortin as well as the Mistra Rocks coastline. 

More information: Malta

The Ta' Kenuna area was developed in the early 1980s. Previously, the area was barren, except for the Ta' Kenuna Tower, a telegraph structure built under the British era, Nadur cemetery and some vineyards. Although in the past the cemetery seemed to scare off people, and no one dared to live next to it, today the cemetery has become literally a traffic island, surrounded by busy roads and residential areas.

Visiting St. Peter and Paul church in In-Nadur

The religious feast of In-Nadur, Mnarja, is celebrated on June 29. It is derived from luminaria and in fact it is a festival rooted in Maltese seasonal rituals and customs.

The beloved titular statue, that of St. Peter and St. Paul, was made in Marseilles in 1882. It is one of the many masterpieces that grace the grand church. On Good Friday a beautifully made set of statues are taken out for the holy procession depicting the passion and crucifixion of Jesus. On the morning of Easter a statue of The Risen Lord is also joyfully paraded.

The parish church, dedicated to St. Peter and Paul, is a very artistic monument of both architecture and painting, rich in marble works and decorations, erected on the site of a former smaller church and which is also the highest point in town. The construction of the present church was started on September 28, 1760 and the design is attributed to the Maltese architect Giuseppe Bonici.

This church is one of the most beautiful churches on the island. In 1907 a refurbishment programme took place to construct the aisles, dome and façade based on the Italian Renaissance design of Prof. F.S. Sciortino. The ceiling, depicting episodes connected with St. Peter and Paul, was painted by Lazzaro Pisani, while the architectural decorations are the work of the Italian Pio Cellini. 

More information: Nadur Parish

Our deep respect for the land and its harvest is the legacy of generations of farmers who put food on our tables, preserved our landscape, and inspired us with a powerful work ethic. 

James H. Douglas, Jr.