Visitors are being invited to experience a magical, star-filled dark sky on Sunday, 8 August at Ta' Sopu, on the outskirts of Nadur. The area is one of the least light-polluted areas in Gozo. During the event, which will be held between 7.30 and 10.30pm, one will also have the opportunity to visit the fully-restored 17th century Ta' Sopu coastal watchtower. Entrance is free of charge and Din l-Art Ħelwa - Għawdex volunteers are looking forward to welcome visitors.
The nearby large family park is the perfect place to observe dark skies on a summer's evening. With a new moon, visitors may also be lucky enough to catch sight of Id-dmugħ ta' San Lawrenz, the Perseid meteor shower, as the numbers of meteors increases each night, until peaking over the Maltese Islands in mid-August. Observing stars and meteors requires no special instruments, such as telescopes or binoculars, but just sit or lie down and view as large an area of the night sky as possible.
Ta' Sopu Tower, also known as La Torre Nuova, Isopu, Nadur or San Blas Tower, was built in 1667 during the reign of Grandmaster Nicholas Cotoner and has a distinction no other can claim - its guns opened fire on the French invasion fleet on 10 June 1798!
Restoration works on this remote Gozitan coastal watchtower were completed back in 2006 and carried out by Din l-Art Ħelwa, Malta's National Trust, in partnership with the Nadur Local Council, who now looks after the building.
Current Covid-19 regulations for cultural sites will apply on the night. The walk from the nearest parking area to the tower takes around 15-20 minutes on an uneven track. We suggest visitors wear suitable footwear, bring a torch (preferably with a red light setting) or a mobile phone with a torch function and plenty of drinking water. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Free information sheets about the tower's history will be available on request in Maltese and English.