CALYPSO CAVE and other Xaghra, Malta Things to Do Tips

Calypso Cave is situated in Xaghra and overlooks the red sands of Gozo's finest beach, Ramla l-Hamra. This cave is alleged to be the cave referred to by Homer in "The Odyssey". Some are even convinced that Gozo is the Island of Ogygia and the cave to be the one where the beautiful nymph Calypso kept Odysseus as a "prisoner of love" for seven years.

The cave itself is not that impressive but it does generate a feeling of excitement due to its links with Greek mythology. Apart from that, one can also enjoy a breath taking view of the picteresque Ramla l-Hamra Bay. On the shore below Calypso Cave one can also see the ruins of a fortification built by the Knights of Malta in the mid-18th century to serve as defence against invading forces.

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Joseph Rapa discovered the natural cave in 1888. It is located in the rear of No 15 January Street, about 75 m from the parish church, in the village of Xaghra. The cave is well illuminated by electric lights.

It was immediately considered remarkable because of the prolific number of natural stalactite and stalagmite formations. It is entered via a 4 m descent down a flight of steps, which end in a large chamber approximately 20 m by 8m. The calcification of water dripping from the cave ceiling formed numerous magnificent columns standing side by side like some petrified forest. In the past the cave must have been even more spectacular because there is evidence of numerous straw stalactites, which have now been broken off. There are even a few helictites. The formations are now dry and mainly the same colour as the surrounding rock, although some are semitransparent and it is possible to see the rings formed as they grew.

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