The Nativity Village takes place in an area locally known as ‘Ta’ Passi’. It is just a stone’s throw from the main centre of the village-by-the-sea of Ghajnsielem on the island of Gozo, Malta. The whole animated village is spread over a 20,000sqm of land and through various combined works of the local council and volunteers, the first Christmas village is created to provide a wonderful Christmas atmosphere.
A unique experience
Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem offers a naturalistic reproduction of the environ of Bethlehem of 2000 years ago. Each dwelling is inhabited and animated by whole families, to remind everyone that Christmas is a celebration of the family. The tavern offers local food and wine while the picnic area offers a unique surrounding for a family outing on Sundays.
Don’t forget to walk over the WOODEN ROPE BRIDGE from where you will see SHEPHERDS in the surrounding fields. You can also embark on a ‘Maltese Boat’ across the RIVER or visit the open-air MARKET selling local fruits and vegetables. There are also several LOCAL CRAFTS areas and antique agricultural hand TOOLS. A Roman Garrison will be patrolling the streets of Bethlehem, collecting taxes and taking the census as decreed by the Emperor, Senate and the people of Rome while several other reenactments and live events will also be taking place during the hours of animation in the Roman Arena.
Children will have the opportunity to learn about Maltese folklore with book reading sessions or by trying one of the several ‘hands-on’ tools (see icon on map) while families can enjoy the unique surroundings of the Maltese countryside or try some local savoury.
Finally, your last stop and the highlight of this journey is the GROTTO where a poor unknown couple is tending their newly-born BABY JESUS with a donkey and a cow close by…
Adoration of the Magi
This activity will be held on the solemnity of the feast of the Epiphany. During this event the Holy Family will make their way to the parvisfollowed by five shepherds who pay homage to Baby Jesus, , with the newborn baby Jesus in the caring hands of Mary under the watchful eye of Joseph with the donkey and the cow close by.
The Three Wise Men, in oriental Biblical outfits, arrive on horseback accompanied by servants carrying the Three Biblical presents – gold, incense and myrrh. The three Wise Men will depart on horseback from a village in Malta to Cirkewwa terminal where they will board a ferry before making the triumphal entrance to the nativity village. The re-enactment will be organised by the Għaqda Il-Milied fix-Xagħra with the collaboration of the Xagħra Historical Re-Enactment Organisation, Xagħra Parish and the Xagħra Local Council.
The Christmas village comes to a wonderful end with the arrival of the Three Kings on horseback
Hospitality
All visitors upon arrival at the Gozo Christmas village will receive a map illustrating all the traditional and new Christmas village attractions to visit and a children’s quiz booklet. Entrance is free.