Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Incantato Destination - Marsaxlokk

Marsaxlokk is a traditional fishing village located in the southeaster part of Malta, with a small population of 3,205 people. The village's name comes from marsa, which means "port" and xlokk, which is the local name for "southeast". The bay is memorable for the many decorative "eyed" boats, called luzzus. The painted eyes on the luzzus are believed to protect the boats from the evil eye.

Marsaxlokk is the foremost fishing village and perhaps has the most picturesque seaside in Malta.

Overlooking the northern arm of Marsaxlokk Bay is the hill of Tas-Silg, an archaeological site containg remains of megalithic temples of the Tarzien phase. Bronze Age material was also found scatter around the area.

It is in the "bay of the sirocco" (Xlokk) where the first Phoenicians landed and set up trading posts on Malta, during the ninth century BC. During the Great Siege, Marsaxlokk harbor was also used as an anchor area by the Turkish fleet. Sirocco is related to the name for the dry wind that blows from the Sahara, comparable to the equivalent catalan word, "xaloc".

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