The clouds cleared for a short time this morning, bringing some welcome sunshine for the inauguration of the historic ‘Ghajn tal-Hasselin,’ in the heart of Apparition Square, by the Minister for Gozo Dr Anton Refalo.

The Ghajnsielem Local Council was able to complete the project through the second ecoGozo scheme for Local Councils, and benefited from the maximum financial aid of €70,000. The first commemorative stone was laid in the beginning of December 2012. Other initiatives of this holistic project included the purchase in December 2012 of an electric eco-truck, which is utilised for general works undertaken in the locality and contributes to the reduction of carbon emissions in Ghajnsielem.

Also included was the cleaning of Simirat valley. Work in the valley was completed in June 2013, The cleaning of the valley has helped to increase the rainwater conservation capacity and also eliminate flooding problems for the benefit of residents living beneath the valley.

Apparition Square, as well as the central monument of Anglu Grech, are also to be embellished, in a project organised by the Ghajnsielem Local Council, through the benefit of European Union funding.During the excavation works, which were carried out under the strict supervision of an an archaeologist from the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, the discovery was made of part of the original walls including the back and side wall and part of the flooring of the original ‘Ghajn tal-Hasselin.’

They were still intact and in their original state and have been incorporated in this replica, including part of the façade.

An opening leading to a World War II shelter was also discovered on the same site.A small belvedere overlooking the Apparition Square has been built on top of the rooms housing the six stone washing basins.

The programme of activities included, Dance by Sannat Folk Group. A memory of childhood narration, Instrumental music by a folkloristic Gozitan Band, Speeches by the Mayor and Ministry for Gozo and finally the official inauguration and blessing

This ‘Ghajn tal-Hasselin’ was built by Grandmaster Ramon Perellos in 1710 and was taken down in 1953.

It was in this square that ‘Ghajn Salem,’ the spring that gave its name to the village, used to flow. It was also near this spring that an arcade and six stone washing basins were built by Grand Master Raymond Perellos for the increasing population of Ghajnsielem, where they gathered and formed the community as it is known today.

For over two centuries, from dawn onwards the area around the spring was thronged with chattering women who congregated there in the mornings washing their laundry in the troughs, while the men whiled away some of the hot and sunny afternoons under the canopy of the mulberry trees. Rare where the occasions where the spring remained idle.

But to maintain hygiene in such a place was a problem. Less and less care was taken of the washing area and in the latter years of its existent, the arcade was left in a state of reckless abandon, the whole place stinking with filth until its removal in the early 1950’s to make way for a new square.

Unfortunately, to maintain hygiene in such a place was a problem. Less and less care was taken to the washing area and in the latter years of its existent, the Arcade was left in a state of reckless abandon, the whole place stinking with dirt until its removal in the early fifties to make way for a new square.

Over the years as more and more families were served with running water in their residences, this fountain came to the end of its use and was wiped away, with its foundations buried under heaps of stone and other construction refuse.

Photographs: MGOZ/George Scerri

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