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WIED IZ-ZURRIEQ, Limits of Qrendi, Malta

The Wied iz-Zurrieq hamlet and small fishing port has long been the source of a dispute between the Qrendi and Zurrieq population over its ownership, a dispute that goes back to the other century. A dispute settled in court in 1910 and reconfirmed under the Local Council Act of 1993 as pertaining to the village of Qrendi.

Although named Wied iz-Zurrieq, the valley itself sees its origin at a locality known as Wied Hoxt which reaches as far back as the panoramic road connecting the Blue Grotto (il-Hnejja) to Hagar Qim.

From the time where charts were not readily availably, property and fields in the Maltese countryside were classified through names given locally. Like wise Wied iz-Zurrieq has numerous identification names given to particular spots within this valley.

Proceeding seawards from the inner left side of the valley we come to “Wied il-Majlia’, possibly a corruption of the Italian word, “Maglio” (Swimming costume), an shallow water small inlet formerly frequented only by women and children, allowed to cool down after a strenuous walk and climb down

An inch cape rock (Submerged rock) marks the “boundary” permissible for non-swimmers, called “il-Hmara” (The donkey), offering hours of fun to young boys and girls, under the watchful eyes of their mothers,

The need for a small landing and berthing place at the inner part of the valley saw the excavation of small steps allowing easier and independent access down to the water’s edge. The bench like steps adopted the name of “Id-Dikkina”, possibly derived from an old Arabic word, “Dokkana” meaning benches, offers the ideal place to families wanting some peace and away from the boats coming and going out of the valley.

A small waterline concrete path sees a connection path from “Id-Dikkina” to the only slipway within the valley and the main hub of activity, “Lis-Skall” (The Slipway), between which is a small area was formerly known as “Il-Kappara” (the caper shrub). A location where high diving was practiced by adventurous youth requiring to make a three meter clearing from this ten meter high rock platform. A practice that was discontinued in the early sixties with the quay’s extension beneath.

The slipway known also as the‘Skall” has been the most frequented part of the Wied iz-Zurrieq valley due to it’s protection from rough seas in the leeway side to a higher quay know as “Il-Ponta” (The Point), a location favorable with the local swimmers and not too adventurous divers. From “Il-Ponta”, a pathway leads to another stairway at the mouth and the deeper end of the valley, “Il-Moll ta’ Xandru” (Alexander’s Quay). A quay purposely built to allow the berthing of the first motorized fishing launch, that as owned by a renowned fisherman, Xandru D’Amato.

From this area one can experience the topography of Maltese Lower Coralline limestone formation. A landing or rather “man made” sun deck, full of holes and sharp rock formation littered with small holes and rock openings and natural salt pans. To no surprise, this area is more commonly known as “Il-Ponot” (The points).

Around the corner to “Il-Ponot”, mid way to the Blue Grotto, one can find a most interesting Rock feature better known as “Gebla ticcaqlaq” (The moving rock). This huge rock of over fifteen meters in height, tightly wedged into the cliff face, is believed to move and make loud noises during violent wintry storms.

Crossing the mouth of the bay a small cape is know as “Ras Masu’” (Masu’s Cape) or as it has recently been called “Dahlet il-Pappri” (The Duck’s landing place), is also surrounded by the same sharp rock formation from across the bay, equally known as “Il-Ponot” (The points)

From “Il-Ponot”, moving inshore one finds “Il-Kamra it-Tonda” (The round room), a former WW II pillbox, extremely popular with those youths wishing to experience the adrenaline in one’s body caused through “run and jump” diving from height and having to clear a four meter landing beneath. An area, which has over the years, experienced numerous accidents through the non clearance of this dangerous hazard.

Inshore from “Il-Kamra it-Tonda”, one comes across a small cave-like opening, some six to ten meters above sea level, known as “L-Ghar.” Above this opening, the most popular high diving spot in the whole valley can be found, a site where one’s efforts are witnessed and admired by the locals and tourists alike.

Another split level inshore diving site popular with the less adventurous and the ladies alike, is known as “Iz-Zurzieqa” (The Slide). A place where the height of ones dive can be calibrated to ones desire and skill. From this location to the inner valley, no other location is frequented due to the vertical and high cliff walls that offer no stimulation due to their harder access by the valley’s bathers.

Since earlier times, Wied iz-Zurrieq together with Ghar Lapsi, has provided the best fishing harbour on Malta’s South West coast. A place of immense hardship but the nearest fishing port to the Qrendi and Zurrieq inhabitants, a role played till the mid sixty’s when the former Maltese fishing boats, the Luzzu and Kajjik were replaced by the “Wied iz-Zurrieq Fregatina”, a sturdy four meter wooden boat capable of transporting ten passengers opting to visit the Blue Grotto. A service that runs daily throughout the year, save Christmas and New Year, weather permitting.

But Wied iz-Zurrieq is not just known as the Ferry landing for the Blue Grotto Visitors and the Location of the wreck of the Un el-Farroud so frequented by visiting divers but also for its depth of water that varies from six meters at the valley’s inlet to twenty three meters at its mouth. Water in access visibility of twenty to thirty meter is most common in this diver’s paradise. A location of immense beauty both above and below the water.