Farewell Azure Window

Last Wednesday was a very sad day for Malta, as it was the day that we lost one of our most loved and treasured natural beauties - Gozo's Azure Window. We all knew that this iconic landmark was being worn away, and that it was a matter of time until we lost it, what we didn't know is how soon this would happen. A few years ago geologists claimed that it will eventually collapse, but that it was in no imminent danger. Unfortunately though, last Wednesday was the day it succumbed to mother nature.

 Below is the official press release which we received from the Malta Tourism Authority...

Nature Claims Gozo’s Iconic Azure Window
Tragedy Strikes as Landmark Collapses into the Inland Sea

March 8th 2017: A sad day for the Mediterranean island, today saw the tragic collapse of the iconic Azure Window in Gozo. A breath-taking structure that is believed to be thousands of years old, rough seas have finally taken their toll as the magnificent limestone arch has finally crumbled into the Inland Sea.

One of the most popular destinations on the Maltese archipelago, the idyllic turquoise waters surrounding the limestone sculpture has been a popular site for swimming, scuba diving and boating.

2012 saw a large piece of rock dislocated from the imposing arch, an alteration that has significantly led to its devastating and eventual demise.

While the Azure Window might have finally fallen after thousands of years teetering in its precarious position, the memory of the structure will live on particularly with its presence in blockbuster films. The formation can be seen in films such as Clash of the Titans and The Count of Monte Cristo. The Azure Window was also the backdrop of the wedding between Daenerys and Drogo in the first episode of the hugely popular television series, Game of Thrones.

The arch stands very close to another cultural landmark, Dwejra Bay. A dramatic coastal formation that wraps around the Azure Window, the bay is heralded as one of the top five dive sites in Malta. Despite the heart-breaking collapse of this natural monument, the area will continue to be one of the island’s most picturesque attractions particularly with its sapphire lagoon, excellent hikes, and rockpools abundant in marine life.

Here are some of our favourite shots of the Window:








Comments

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