Fontana, Gozo

Towns (Malta)
name = Fontana(Il-Fontana)
coa = Fontana coa.svg
motto = Indundatione Ferax (Fertile through Inundation)
official_name = Il-Fontana
inhabitants_name = Fontani (m), Fontanija (f), Fontanin (pl)
other_names = Triq ta' l-Għajn

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latitude = 36°2 '11"
longitude = 14°14 '32"
area = 0.5
population_total = 850
population_density = 1,794
borders = Kerċem, Munxar, Victoria, Xewkija
saint = Sacred Heart of Jesus
feast = 3rd Sunday of June
mayor = Saviour Borg (PN)
website = [http://www.fontana.gov.mt/ fontana.gov.mt]

Fontana (or Il-Fontana) is a village on Gozo Island, Malta, with a population of 846 people (Nov 2005).

Fontana originated from the suburb of Victoria on the Rabat-Xlendi road. Its local name is "Triq tal-Ghajn", (the way to the spring), and it took its name from a spring at the bottom of the road leading to Xlendi, known locally as "il-Ghajn il-Kbira", (the big spring). Fontana is Italian name for a spring.

On the lower part of Fontana, on the right-hand side of the road to Xlendi, one could not help but notice the evergreen Lunzjata Valley going up to the village of Kerċem. Local farmers busy around all year long in this fertile part of Gozo. A very old irrigation system made up from stone gutters constantly brings water from a spring situated in the Kerċem part of the valley.

Most of the fishermen that operated from the fishing village of Xlendi lived in Fontana. Late in the nineteenth century, they began setting aside part of the proceeds from their catches to construct a church. The foundation stone of the church was laid on 29 January 1893. The church was consecrated twelve years to that day on 29 January 1905, and was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The church was established as parish of Fontana on 27 March 1911 under Bishop Giovanni Maria Camilleri. The spectacular village feast is celebrated each year around the 2nd and 3rd week of June.

Arched shelters were built in the sixteenth century over the springs for the convenience of people when washing their clothes. The Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fontana is also a parish church, and considered to be a national sanctuary of the Sacred Heart.

Zones in Fontana

*Is-Saqwi
*Ta' l-Għajn
*Wied tal-Lunzjata

Fontana Main Roads

*Pjazza l-Għejjun (Springs Square)
*Triq il-Kappillan Hili (Parish Priest Hili Road)
*Triq ix-Xlendi (Xlendi Road)
*Triq l-Isptar San Ġiljan (St Julian's Hospital Street)
*Triq Santa Duminka (St Domenica Road)
*Triq Tal-Għajn (Spring Street)
*Triq John Gasperd le merchant (John Gasperd le merchant street)
*Triq Il-Kardinal Alessandro Franchi (Cardinal Alessandro Franchi Street)
*Triq il-Qalb ta' Gesu (Sacred Heart street)

Other Streets in Fontana

*Daħlet ir-Razzett (Farm Street)
*Sqaq l-Andar (Andar Alley)
*Sqaq Bieb il-Għajn (Spring's Door Alley)
*Sqaq l-Għajn Nru.1 - Nru.6 (Spring Alley No.1 to No.6)
*Sqaq Ta' Fuq il-Lunzjata (Fuq il-Lunzjata Alley)
*Sqaq Ta' Kaputt (Ta' Kaputt Alley)
*Sqaq Wara l-Idjar (Behind the Homes Alley)
*Trejqa Grezzja Grima (Grace Grima Path)
*Trejqa ix-Xagħri (Xaghri Path)
*Trejqet iċ-Ċentru Parrokkjali (Parish Centre Path)
*Trejqet il-Ħarrub (Carobs Street)
*Triq Għajn Tuta (Ghajn Tuta Road)
*Triq Le Marchant John Gaspard (Le Marchant John Gaspard Street)
*Triq Mons. Mikiel Buttigieg (Mgr. Michael Buttigieg Street)
*Triq is-Sajjieda (Fishermen Street)
*Triq San Martin (St. Martin Street)
*Triq Ta' Mulejja (Ta' Mulejja Road)
*Triq Wied Siekel (Siekel Valley Road)

External links

* [http://www.gozo.gov.mt/pages.aspx?page=39 Link to Maltese Tourism site]
* [http://www.qalbtagesu.com Link to Sacred Heart Parish Official Website]
* [http://www.fontana.gov.mt/ Link to Fontana Local Council Official website]

Coordinates: coord|35|53|42|N|14|31|14|E|type:city