Things to see and do Dwejra Point

Near Dwejra Point, it is the "Rock with mushroom" which is called by the Gozitans Il-Gebla Tal-Generalle, the "Rock of the General", because this famous mushroom was discovered by a general of the order of the Knights. A huge block of stone rising from the waters, 182 meters long, 61 meters high, the rock is covered in summer with flowers bearing a parasite, Fungus gaulitanus, endowed with rare healing properties for blood diseases and hemorrhages. This mushroom is practically unique in the world, and is used very sparingly, reserved for a few privileged people. The rock eventually became so famous that it had to be defended day and night against potential smugglers: anyone caught in an attempted robbery incurred a heavy penalty, if not immediately put to death. It is said that a man, in order to save his son, swam the 50 meters to the rock, grabbed hold of it and took a handful of these flowers. Arrested after having succeeded in bringing back his precious booty to his wife, he was sentenced to three years in the galley, which he endured with courage, knowing that his son was saved by his sacrifice. To retrieve the precious mushroom from the steep slope of the rock (whose surface was even polished to make it impossible to climb), the Knights built a funicular from the tower of Qawra, which can still be seen on the coast today. Nowadays, Fungus Rock has become a nature reserve.

This tower, erected in 1652, dominates the coast. It is made of the same stone whose main quarry is dug into the side of the cliff that slopes down to Dwejra Point. It was built and armed with three powder cannons by Grand Master Lascaris.

The entire surrounding coastline is a favorite with underwater enthusiasts. Often compared to the Red Sea, Inland Sea (Il Qawra) is a stretch of inland sea accessed by boat through a tunnel under the cliff, only on clear days. Always warm and spared from storms, it's a diver's paradise, where you can find fossils of marine animals and shells dating back to prehistoric times. When the weather turns stormy and the high seas are superb and raging, the Inland Sea simply ripples.