Three curious phenomena at Dwejra are the Inland Sea, Fungus Rock and the Azure Window.
AZURE WINDOW, Dwejra, Gozo, Malta
Unfortunately the Azure Window as pictured above collapsed in March 2017.
IT-TIEQA or WINDOW is another wonder of nature in Dwejra's rocky environment. Rather than a window it was more a door-like formation at the sea-end of the cliff.
Two huge vertical pillars capped by a massive block - all formed by a strange natural process - give the impression of a giant door-way, through which one can admire the blue expanse beyond the cliff.
The people of Gozo called it the Azure Window. The sea around it is very deep and of a dark blue hue, which explains why the 'window' was 'azure'.
This phenomenon, viewed from its opposite flat rocks, presented a sight of splendour and grandeur.
THE INLAND SEA occupies a crater-like cavity beneath the cliff where a natural tunnel in the steep rocks allows the sea to penetrate and to form a miniature lake at the bottom of the depression.
The enclosed lake is surrounded by a sandy bank quite amenable for bathing, the water is shallow and always warmer than the adjacent sea.
Fisherman find the 'Inland Sea' an ideal refuge for their boats, as the sea in that locality can be stormy and dangerous.
The cosy little 'lake' within the sloping sides of the huge rocky bowl is very impressive and is a unique feature in these islands.
When the sea is calm, the fishermen-boatmen ferry tourists through the tunnel into the open sea and to the neighbouring Azure Window.
FUNGUS ROCK
Fungus Rock, majestically aloof and dominating the much less visited (though surprisingly near and easy to reach) Dwejra Bay. Fungus Rock is a protected site - being the only known place where the so called Malta Fungus - a strange mushroom-like plant - grows. In the past it was believed to have potent medicinal powers and the Knights of St.John provided round the clock guard to deter locals from collecting this supposed elixir.