Għar Għerduf Catacombs, Gozo Travel Guide

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Discover Gozo's hidden history at Għar Għerduf Catacombs, a unique Roman burial site with early Christian roots and intriguing archaeological features.

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Għar Għerduf Catacombs

Explore Għar Għerduf Catacombs, the only surviving early Christian catacombs in Gozo, Malta. This unique Roman burial site features arcosolia and trough-tombs, offering a glimpse into the island's ancient history and funerary practices. Despite damage from past quarrying, the site remains a significant archaeological attraction.

A brief summary to Għar Għerduf Catacombs

26RJ+RV2, Triq Ta Xuxa, Kerċem, MT

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Għar Għerduf Catacombs.

Wear comfortable shoes as the ground can be uneven.
Bring a flashlight to better see the details inside the catacombs.
Combine your visit with a walk in the scenic Lunzjata Valley.

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Explore Għar Għerduf Catacombs on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Għar Għerduf Catacombs, mapped for you.

Getting There

Public Transport

From Victoria (Rabat), the main transport hub in Gozo, take bus line 311 or 312 towards Kerċem. Alight at the 'Ixtabi' bus stop in Kerċem, which is the closest stop to the catacombs. From there, it's a short walk along Triq Ta Xuxa to the site. A single bus fare costs approximately €2.
Taxi

From anywhere in Gozo, a taxi can take you directly to Għar Għerduf Catacombs. Taxis are readily available in Victoria. A short taxi ride from Victoria to the catacombs will cost approximately €15-€20.
Walking

If you are already in Kerċem or the nearby Lunzjata Valley, walking to Għar Għerduf is a viable option. From the Kerċem Parish Church, walk along Triq Santa Luċija, then turn onto Triq Ta Xuxa. The catacombs will be on your left. The walk is relatively short and offers scenic views of the surrounding countryside.

Discover more about Għar Għerduf Catacombs

The Għar Għerduf Catacombs, also known as Għar Gerduf, are located in Ta' Kerċem, Gozo, and represent the island's only surviving early Christian catacombs. These paleochristian hypogea offer a unique insight into Roman burial practices in Gozo. The site has drawn scholars and visitors for centuries, with early descriptions noting its resemblance to catacombs found in Rabat, Mdina.The catacombs, dating back to the 3rd and 4th centuries, feature a long corridor with arcosolia hewn into the walls. These arcosolia vary in size, containing single or multiple trough-tombs, some with headrests still identifiable. The complex may have served as a burial ground for the Roman settlement at Rabat during Late Antiquity. The catacombs are dug into the Globigerina Limestone on the western slope of Lunzjata Valley.Despite being the only Phoenician, Carthaginian, and Roman site in Gozo featured in The Protection of Antiquities Act of 1925, Għar Għerduf has suffered damage over time, especially from quarrying in the 19th century. Today, the Ministry for Gozo owns the property and plans to restore the site, improving accessibility and turning it into a cultural heritage attraction.