The rock has an area of approximately 0.48 hectares (1.2 acres). The maximum length of the islet is 95 metres (312 ft), and the average width is about 50 metres (160 ft). The island is protected by law. Ħalfa Rock is located approximately 65 metres (213 ft) from the south coast of the Qala municipality. It is part of a geological formation making up the island of Comino, and the upper areas of Qala. The rock is administratively a part of the Qala local council area.
The islet appears devoid of human heritage, with no record of habitation. However, a circular fougasse exists on the islet - forming part of the Tal-Qassis ridge defensive system overlooking the channel between Qala and Comino.[3] Ħalfa Rock sits in a secluded shingle beach, with large pebbles and golden sand. A chain of submerged rocks, collectively known as Ġebel tal-Ħalfa lie within 400 metres (1,300 ft) of this islet.[4] The rock has acted as a marker in the annual Malta-Gozo-Malta Open Water Swimming Competition.[5][6]
The origin of the name Tal-Ħalfa is a matter of conjecture. The word 'ħalfa' means 'oath' or 'vow' in Maltese. A local legend links with the name of the islet with Dragut, a famous pirate warrior and Ottoman admiral, who swore to seek revenge for his brother’s death on the island of Gozo.[7] According to this legend, Dragut’s brother was killed in Gozo while raiding the island in 1544. The famous pirate asked for his brother’s corpse for burial. The Gozitans refused to turn the body over, and burned it in front of Dragut’s eyes in a place now occupied by St. John’s demi-bastion.[8] It is said that when the Turks boarded their galleys to leave Gozo, Dragut went up on a large rock nearby, now known as il-Ġebla tal-Ħalfa (the Vow Rock), where he vowed to come back and wreak his vengeance on the people of Gozo.[8] In 1551, Dragut laid siege to Mdina, but upon remembering his vow, he brought the Mdina siege to an end and sailed off to attack Gozo, taking almost the whole population into slavery.[8]
Another legend relates how following a raid on the Maltese islands, Dragut was sailing past the coast of Gozo when he saw a vineyard on this part of the coast. Yearning for some grapes, he asked if any of his sailors would volunteer and swim to the shore for grapes.[9] One of his sons obliged. On his return to the vessel he presented his father with a bunch of grapes, complete with leaves and the roots plucked out of the fertile soil. Dragut had no choice but to sentence his son to death, for it was forbidden for a Muslim to take the roots of a vine. Saddened, Dragut swore he would never eat a grape in his lifetime again, giving the nearby rocky islet its name.[9]
Wildlife
Saltpans near Ħalfa Rock.
The islet supports two distinct vegetation communities. The lower region is dominated by the Shrubby Glasswort (Arthrocnemum macrostachyum), with the Olive-leaved Bindweed (Convolvulus oleifolius) being more dominating the central part of the islet.[10][2] Other important species present in the area include the Maltese Sea-Lavender (Limonium melitensis) and the Sea Carrot (Daucus rupestris), which is sub-endemic to the Maltese Islands, as well as Lampedusa, Lampione and Panarea.[2] The upper region of the islet is colonised extensively by Esparto grass (Lygeum spartum), the Olive-leaved Bindweed, the Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis urvilleana), the Maltese Leek (Allium melitense), the Carline Thistle (Carlina involucrata) and two stunted Lentisks (Pistacia lentiscus).[10][2]
The fauna on this islet includes an isolated population of the endemic Wall Lizard (Podarcis filfolensis) and a morph of the endemic Door Snail (Muticaria macrostoma forma oscitans). The faunal species are isolated from the mainland populations and thus have the potential of developing specific traits.[11]
Studies of the seabed around Ħalfa Rock indicated the existence of a thick layer of submerged clay on the bedrock, which supports a facies with burrows of the thalassinid shrimp (Upogebia mediterranea).[3] In many places, the biocoenosis of infralittoral algae is intermixed with the Posidonia oceanica meadows, and well sorted fine sands.[3]
Nature conservation
Panorama of Ħalfa Rock from the nearby beach.
Ħalfa Rock is on the Maltese Islands Natural Heritage List,[11] and retains the status of an area of ecological importance and is also a special area of conservation.[12] The Planning Authority scheduled Ħalfa Rock as a Level 1 Site of Scientific Importance (ecology), Level 2 Site of Scientific Importance (geomorphology), and a Level 2 Area of Ecological Importance as per Government Notice No. 827/02 in the Government Gazette dated 20 September 2002.[11]
Media and the arts
The islet appears in a children's adventure book titled Il-Ġebla tal-Halfa by Pawlu Mizzi.[13]
Notes
^"MEPA's Special areas of conservation". The Malta Independent. 2004-12-19. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
^ abcdSciberras, Jeffrey; Sciberras, Arnold; Pisani, Luca (December 2012). "Updated checklist of flora of the satellite islets surrounding the Maltese Archipelago" (PDF). Biodiversity Journal. 3 (4): 385–396.
^Sailing directions for the Mediterranean: France, west coast of Italy, Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily, including adjacent islands. Vol. 2. United States. Naval Oceanographic Office. 1958. p. 508.
^"Local Notice to Mariners: No. 58 of 2016" (PDF). TransportMalta. 2016-08-09. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
^"Swimming - Gozo-Malta Open Water Challenge for 22 August". The Malta Independent. 2009-07-20. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
^"Gozo's Beauty: As Seen from the Sea". mymaltapedia. 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
^ abcAttard, Anton F. (Summer 2015). "The lore of Turkish raids on Gozo" (PDF). The Gozo Observer (32).
^ ab"Focus: Illegal Dumping - Gozo's silent killer". The Malta Independent. 2008-01-18.
^ abSciberras, Jeffrey; Sciberras, Arnold (December 2010). "Topography and Flora of the Satellite Islets surrounding the Maltese Archipelago". The Central Mediterranean Naturalist. 5 (2): 31–42.
^"Il-Ġebla tal-Ħalfa". Book Distributors Limited. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
External links
A FLORISTIC SURVEY ON THE GOZITAN ISLETS OF TAC-CAWL AND TAL-HALFA IN THE MALTESE ISLANDS
Ġebel tal-Ħalfa
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ħalfa Rock.
August 26, 2023
Ħalfa, rock, this, article, about, uninhabited, rock, south, east, coast, gozo, other, islets, forming, maltese, islands, geography, malta, other, similarly, named, places, halfa, disambiguation, maltese, Ġebla, Ħalfa, blata, Ħalfa, deserted, small, islet, lim. This article is about the uninhabited rock on the south east coast of Gozo For other islets forming the Maltese islands see Geography of Malta For other similarly named places see Halfa disambiguation Ħalfa Rock Maltese Il Ġebla tal Ħalfa or Il Blata tal Ħalfa is a deserted small islet and limestone rock on the south east coast of the island of Gozo in the Maltese archipelago The small islet is typified by a small maritime labiate garrigue environment with germander and prasium shrubs with the occurrence of the endemic Maltese Pyramidal Orchid as well as endemic coastal communities based on the Maltese Sea Lavender and the sub endemic Maltese Crosswort 1 2 Ħalfa RockNative name Il Ġebla tal ĦalfaView of Ħalfa RockĦalfa RockShow map of MaltaĦalfa RockShow map of MediterraneanGeographyLocationbetween Gozo and Comino south of Sicily Mediterranean SeaCoordinates36 01 45 2748 N 14 19 51 7692 E 36 029243000 N 14 331047000 E 36 029243000 14 331047000ArchipelagoMaltese IslandsAdjacent toMediterranean SeaArea0 0048 km2 0 0019 sq mi Administration MaltaRegionGozoLocal councilQalaDemographicsPopulation0Additional informationTime zoneCET UTC 1 Summer DST CEST UTC 2 The rock has an area of approximately 0 48 hectares 1 2 acres The maximum length of the islet is 95 metres 312 ft and the average width is about 50 metres 160 ft The island is protected by law Ħalfa Rock is located approximately 65 metres 213 ft from the south coast of the Qala municipality It is part of a geological formation making up the island of Comino and the upper areas of Qala The rock is administratively a part of the Qala local council area The islet appears devoid of human heritage with no record of habitation However a circular fougasse exists on the islet forming part of the Tal Qassis ridge defensive system overlooking the channel between Qala and Comino 3 Ħalfa Rock sits in a secluded shingle beach with large pebbles and golden sand A chain of submerged rocks collectively known as Ġebel tal Ħalfa lie within 400 metres 1 300 ft of this islet 4 The rock has acted as a marker in the annual Malta Gozo Malta Open Water Swimming Competition 5 6 Contents 1 Origin of name 2 Wildlife 3 Nature conservation 4 Media and the arts 5 Notes 6 External linksOrigin of name EditThe origin of the name Tal Ħalfa is a matter of conjecture The word ħalfa means oath or vow in Maltese A local legend links with the name of the islet with Dragut a famous pirate warrior and Ottoman admiral who swore to seek revenge for his brother s death on the island of Gozo 7 According to this legend Dragut s brother was killed in Gozo while raiding the island in 1544 The famous pirate asked for his brother s corpse for burial The Gozitans refused to turn the body over and burned it in front of Dragut s eyes in a place now occupied by St John s demi bastion 8 It is said that when the Turks boarded their galleys to leave Gozo Dragut went up on a large rock nearby now known as il Ġebla tal Ħalfa the Vow Rock where he vowed to come back and wreak his vengeance on the people of Gozo 8 In 1551 Dragut laid siege to Mdina but upon remembering his vow he brought the Mdina siege to an end and sailed off to attack Gozo taking almost the whole population into slavery 8 Another legend relates how following a raid on the Maltese islands Dragut was sailing past the coast of Gozo when he saw a vineyard on this part of the coast Yearning for some grapes he asked if any of his sailors would volunteer and swim to the shore for grapes 9 One of his sons obliged On his return to the vessel he presented his father with a bunch of grapes complete with leaves and the roots plucked out of the fertile soil Dragut had no choice but to sentence his son to death for it was forbidden for a Muslim to take the roots of a vine Saddened Dragut swore he would never eat a grape in his lifetime again giving the nearby rocky islet its name 9 Wildlife Edit Saltpans near Ħalfa Rock The islet supports two distinct vegetation communities The lower region is dominated by the Shrubby Glasswort Arthrocnemum macrostachyum with the Olive leaved Bindweed Convolvulus oleifolius being more dominating the central part of the islet 10 2 Other important species present in the area include the Maltese Sea Lavender Limonium melitensis and the Sea Carrot Daucus rupestris which is sub endemic to the Maltese Islands as well as Lampedusa Lampione and Panarea 2 The upper region of the islet is colonised extensively by Esparto grass Lygeum spartum the Olive leaved Bindweed the Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis urvilleana the Maltese Leek Allium melitense the Carline Thistle Carlina involucrata and two stunted Lentisks Pistacia lentiscus 10 2 The fauna on this islet includes an isolated population of the endemic Wall Lizard Podarcis filfolensis and a morph of the endemic Door Snail Muticaria macrostoma forma oscitans The faunal species are isolated from the mainland populations and thus have the potential of developing specific traits 11 Studies of the seabed around Ħalfa Rock indicated the existence of a thick layer of submerged clay on the bedrock which supports a facies with burrows of the thalassinid shrimp Upogebia mediterranea 3 In many places the biocoenosis of infralittoral algae is intermixed with the Posidonia oceanica meadows and well sorted fine sands 3 Nature conservation Edit Panorama of Ħalfa Rock from the nearby beach Ħalfa Rock is on the Maltese Islands Natural Heritage List 11 and retains the status of an area of ecological importance and is also a special area of conservation 12 The Planning Authority scheduled Ħalfa Rock as a Level 1 Site of Scientific Importance ecology Level 2 Site of Scientific Importance geomorphology and a Level 2 Area of Ecological Importance as per Government Notice No 827 02 in the Government Gazette dated 20 September 2002 11 Media and the arts EditThe islet appears in a children s adventure book titled Il Ġebla tal Halfa by Pawlu Mizzi 13 Notes Edit MEPA s Special areas of conservation The Malta Independent 2004 12 19 Retrieved 2017 06 11 a b c d Sciberras Jeffrey Sciberras Arnold Pisani Luca December 2012 Updated checklist of flora of the satellite islets surrounding the Maltese Archipelago PDF Biodiversity Journal 3 4 385 396 a b c Co ordinated Report PDF Environmental Resource Authority Retrieved 2017 06 11 Sailing directions for the Mediterranean France west coast of Italy Corsica Sardinia and Sicily including adjacent islands Vol 2 United States Naval Oceanographic Office 1958 p 508 Local Notice to Mariners No 58 of 2016 PDF TransportMalta 2016 08 09 Retrieved 2017 06 11 Swimming Gozo Malta Open Water Challenge for 22 August The Malta Independent 2009 07 20 Retrieved 2017 06 11 Gozo s Beauty As Seen from the Sea mymaltapedia 2012 03 09 Retrieved 2017 06 11 a b c Attard Anton F Summer 2015 The lore of Turkish raids on Gozo PDF The Gozo Observer 32 a b Focus Illegal Dumping Gozo s silent killer The Malta Independent 2008 01 18 a b Sciberras Jeffrey Sciberras Arnold December 2010 Topography and Flora of the Satellite Islets surrounding the Maltese Archipelago The Central Mediterranean Naturalist 5 2 31 42 a b c Il Gebla tal Halfa 24 Planning Authority Retrieved 2017 06 11 Il Ġebla tal Ħalfa Protected Planet Retrieved 2017 06 11 Il Ġebla tal Ħalfa Book Distributors Limited Retrieved 2017 06 11 External links EditA FLORISTIC SURVEY ON THE GOZITAN ISLETS OF TAC CAWL AND TAL HALFA IN THE MALTESE ISLANDS Ġebel tal Ħalfa Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ħalfa Rock Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ħalfa Rock amp oldid 994611140, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
