In this series covering Malta and Gozo’s lesser-known museums, we’ve discovered some pretty fascinating village museums and private collections. This time round, however, we have two beautiful creations by Mother Nature herself… And they’re just metres away from each other in Xagħra, Gozo!
Discovered by Joseph Rapa in 1888, Ninu’s Cave is a stunning cave formed out of upper coralline limestone over the millennia. Measuring around 20m by 8m, it’s literally dripping with stalagmites and there are hundreds of stalactites protruding from its ground. Some of these formations are even semi-transparent, making them exceptionally gorgeous.
Ninu’s Cave is just a few hundred metres away from Xerri’s Grotto, which was discovered in 1923 or 24 when resident Anthony Xerri was digging for a well. This one, however, is larger, and some of its formations resemble the silhouettes of a tortoise, giraffes, elephants’ ears, and even a vulture. Xerri’s Grotto is not wholly natural, though, as during World War II it was extended for the purpose of sheltering the residents during bombings.
Perhaps the most wonderful part of the experience of visiting these two sites is the fact that they are both located within private residences. Even so, the propertys’ owners allow visitors to head down the cavernous sites for a small fee.