Exploring Għajn Abdul Plateau and Il-Mixta Caves
Overview of Għajn Abdul Plateau and Il-Mixta Caves
Għajn Abdul Plateau and Il-Mixta Caves are one of our top off the beaten track places in Gozo are remarkable natural formations located in Gozo, Malta. The plateau, known for its expansive views and rich history, is home to the Il-Mixta Caves, two large, naturally hewn overhanging shelters. These caves offer a glimpse into the island’s ancient past and provide breathtaking scenery of the surrounding countryside, including views of Fungus Rock, Dwejra Tower, Ta’ Ġordan Lighthouse, and the villages of Għarb and San Lawrenz. This is a nice place to visit if you are looking for things to do in Gozo.
How to Reach Għajn Abdul Plateau
To visit Għajn Abdul Plateau, you can proceed along the road past the Kempinski Hotel in San Lawrenz, or approach via the hamlet of Santa Luċija. Upon reaching the Għajn Abdul spring, you’ll find a narrow path leading to the caves.
What Makes These Caves Special?
The Il-Mixta Caves are unique because they form one massive overhanging shelter, naturally divided into two large sections by a natural pillar and a man-made wall. From these caves, visitors can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Gozo’s countryside. The caves’ natural architecture and the vistas they offer make them a must-visit site.
Were These Caves Ever Inhabited?
Yes, the south cave was inhabited until as late as the 1950s and was equipped with bedrooms, stone benches, a stone hearth, and stone troughs. The earliest known inhabitants date back to the Neolithic period, approximately 7000 years ago during the Għar Dalam phase. These caves are among the earliest known human settlements in Gozo.
Where Did the First Settlers Come From?
The exact origin of the Early Neolithic Maltese is uncertain, but archaeological evidence suggests that the first settlers on the Maltese Islands came from nearby Sicily around the end of the fifth millennium BC. This migration coincided with improved climatic conditions following a minor Ice Age, making the region more hospitable for agriculture.
Was Gozo Settled Before Malta?
Pottery found at Għajn Abdul exhibits purer Stentinello attributes (a middle Neolithic Sicilian culture) than pottery found elsewhere on the Maltese islands, suggesting that Gozo might have been settled before Malta. The site also yielded pottery sherds from the subsequent Bronze Age, indicating continuous habitation.
The Meaning Behind Mixta and Għajn Abdul
The name ‘Mixta’ is derived from the Maltese word ‘Mxett‘, meaning ‘a place where one shelters in winter together with the cattle’. ‘Għajn Abdul’ means Abdul’s Spring, named after a Turkish captain named Abdul who, according to legend, discovered the spring while imprisoned by scratching the soil until water gushed out. He drank until his stomach burst, and the spring has been named after him ever since.
The spring at Għajn Abdul remains a significant landmark, providing a scenic path leading to the caves and connecting visitors to the historical narratives of the plateau.
