How can I reach it?

You can reach Ras il-Wardija Phoenician Sanctuary from either Dwejra or Kercem (parking near L-Għadira ta’ Sarraflu).  Both options require a bit of a walk.  However, you will be rewarded by spectacular views and fabulous natural formations all along the way.  It is imperative to take a few breaks, relax and enjoy the peace, tranquillity, and magical atmosphere.

What does Ras il-Wardija mean?

The isolated location, highly visible from the sea and from other coastal locations in Gozo and Malta, may have served as a landmark or beacon for mariners sailing the sea between the Maltese islands and North Africa.  ‘Ras’ is a Maltese word meaning head or headland, whereas ‘Wardija’ is a corruption of the Italian word ‘Guardia’ which means ‘watch’, a look-out post for guards, especially along the coast.

Xlendi is situated along the sea-route that would have been taken by any boats crossing between North Africa and eastern Sicily, and boats would have sought haven at Xlendi harbour, as proven by the many wrecks on the seabed in the area.  The most famous shipwreck is obviously The Phoenician.

Even during World War II, this area was used for the defence of the islands.

Are there any historical remains in the area?

Cart ruts carved in the rock in the vicinity suggest that the site’s environs were used during the Bronze Age, after 1500BC, if not earlier.  In Punic times the scenic beauty of the site served as a background for a sanctuary (temple), perhaps a nympheum.

Are there any remains of this Punic and Roman Sanctuary?

The grand, complex, and unique ancient sanctuary at Ras il-Wardija was excavated by the Missione Archeologica Italiana a Malta in the years 1964 to 1967.

The excavation established that Ras il-Wardija was once a religious complex dating to the Punic and Early Roman periods – roughly between the IV and III Centuries BC.

The sanctuary consisted of a number of structures, built of different architectural elements set against the spectacular landscape of the Ras il-Wardija headland.

What were the main features of this religious complex?

A Rectangular Chamber – This was cut into a globigerina limestone ridge, facing West South West.  The walls of the chamber were decorated with niches set within moulded frames.

The External Corridor – This structure was cut in the rock, in the form of a T.  The longest part of the corridor is outside the chamber, parallel to its facade.  The shortest part of the corridor leads into the chamber.  Outside the chamber, along the side of the sunken passage corridor, are rock-cut benches.  Some scholars have suggested that these benches may have been used for ritual banquets.

A large basin – In front of the sacred area, a large basin, or pool cut into the rock with an internal flight of steps reaching down to its bottom, served perhaps for ritual bathing.

Bell-shaped well – Being remote, the sanctuary was served by a water reservoir, also cut in the rock in the form of a bell.

The External Structure or Altar – A rectangular building was also constructed in antiquity at some distance from the main Chamber, in the direction of the outermost limit of the Ras il-Wardija headland.  This structure was built of large ashlar blocks and is similar to the open-air altars of the same period documented at the Sanctuary of Tas-Silg in Marsaxlokk.

What deities were venerated at this site in antiquity?

It is not known for certain what deities may have been venerated at this site in antiquity.  However, there might have been more than one god venerated in this sanctuary; Dionysius could have been one of them.

Sailors might have also visited this temple in thanksgiving soon after their safe arrival or to pray for a safe journey before their departure.

A number of graffiti were noted incised on the walls and inside the niches of the rock-cut chamber.  A symbol of the Punic goddess Tanit was sculpted into the rock-face inside one of the 5 niches.

Some damage to the figure was caused when it was illegally removed from Ras il-Wardija. The upper limit of the figure, a vertical groove, was destroyed.