The village of GHARB (pronounced arb) – heading west
A visit to the western part of Gozo is something the visitor to the Island of Calypso cannot leave out, as it is here that we have amongst other villages such interesting places as Ta` Pinu Basilica, San Dimitri chapel, Frenc ta` l-Gharb museum, Taz-Zejt (oil) chapel, Folklore museum, country walks to the cliffs, old hand carved stone balconies and lovely facades of farmhouses with artistic features.
The religious feast is celebrated on the 1st Sunday in July and is dedicated to the Visitation of Our Lady of Elizabeth. Colourfull fireworks display is set every night of the week plus streets are lit up with luminous bulbs to show off the decorated houses and religious statues on the side of the street. The main church is decorated in the finest fabrics and lit up internally and externally.

Ta Pinu Basilica
One day long ago a local woman in the name of Carmela Grima heard a voice from the Mother of God whilst she was walking through the fields and She told her to go to the Bishop of Gozo to build a Basilica on a large field owned by a farmer called Pinu at the outskirts of this village of Gharb. Many pilgrimages from all over the world till today visit this impressive majestically white limestone Basilica with faith to receive a grace from the Mother of God.

Legend of `San Dimitri Chapel`
Very close to the edge of the island of Gozo is a chapel dedicated to San Dimitri. Once the pirates invaded this village of Gharb and kidnapped as many men as they could which one of them was Mattew who lived with his mother Zgugina in the vicinity of the chapel. Zgugina went to the chapel to pray to San Dimitri for the pirates to release back her son and she promised San Dimitri that if her wish will be succeeded she will light an oil lamp everyday in front of the painting. Amazingly San Dimitri came out from the painting on his horse and went flying over to the pirates ship to get hold of her son Mattew and luckily Zgugina wish came true as Mattew was brought back on the island. Due to an earthquake the chapel was submerged deep down into the sea and scuba divers and fishermen depicts that the chapel still exists and the oil lamp is still lit up in the chapel in front of San Dimitri painting although years have passed and it is in the sea.
As a replacement a chapel was built and is visited by many locals and tourists who will be walking in the countryside.

Frenc Ta` l-Gharb
He was a local farmer and used to heal people with local herbs. After his death his house was turned into a museum and is opened on appointment with Sunta a local lady that was a great friend of his when Frenc was still alive. Sunta still recount her past experiences with Frenc as she even stayed by his bedside until he died. On visiting his house, blessed water can be given from the well and many people use this blessed water wherever they got aching and amazingly the person will be healed.

Legend of `Taz-Zejt (oil) chapel`
In the old days many locals used to visit a chapel dedicated to the visitation of the Blessed Virgin to her cousin Saint Elizabeth and light an oil lamp in front of the painting. A local lady called Mary wasn’t that lucky enough to buy oil like the other locals and whenever she earned an extra penny from her weaving she bought oil. One day oil was scarce and she prayed for oil to be provided once again. Amazingly when she was leaving the chapel she saw oil flowing from the wall underneath the parvis and she immediately informed the priest and everyone came with jugs to fill oil and light the candles. Unfortunately the oil didn’t last for long.

Folklore museum
At the main square of Gharb there is an 18th Century historical house with 28 rooms that is open as a public museum. Many farming tools that were used in the old times are exhibited such as field irrigation, wine making, equipment for making different kinds of cheeselets, capers, olives and sun dried tomatoes.