Gozo pics
In 1551 a pirate fleet kidnapped the entire population of the island of Gozo and took them to Constantinople in Turkey, and to a place near Tripoli in North Africa where many were sold as slaves. Some returned after being discovered and bought back by relatives in Malta. Some descendents are still living in Africa. I am to write a mystery / romance / historical / fantasy novel with this amazing background. There are a few historical novels who use this background but none as a fantasy.
These images set the scenes.
1. taken from the ferry leaving Malta. The Turks would have seen Gozo looking pretty much this scene of Gozo and its port Mgarr.
2. close up of Mgarr
3, Lush vegetation on Gozo seen from Xhagra, north. The rocks on the cliffs hold Calypso's cave.
4. Xaghra Ggantija temples. Over 6000 years old. Mostly buried and overgrown from Bronze age to 1827.
5. present day town of Xaghra - it is village-like, little different to 1551 though the 6. church would have been smaller.
7. 1500s house in Xaghra 
8. house = Ninu's cave found under this house in 1888. There are other similar caves - so we could have one or more in 1551 as hiding places.
9. Rabat the old name for Gozo's main town, Victoria built entirely of limest
one.
10. The orignal gate to the Citadel in Victoria, Gozo from which the Turks abducted the population.
11. Citadel top showing many corners.
12. The large area on the top of Gozo's Citadel is now overgrown but held many houses and cottage gardens as well as hidden tunnels.
13. other parts of the top of the citadel are as a fortress.
14. 
from
the citadel looking towards Xaghra. Note that most of the valleys have crops
and that the hilltops are mostly with villages / hamlets.
15. Old Gozitans relaxing in Victoria. Most Maltese and Gozitans have typical Mediterranean features of black hair and olive skin. Many too have Arabian features.
16. Yellow oxalis - all over Gozo BUT also called the English Weed cos an English woman brought it to Gozo in 1806!! Note the lizard.
(C) all images taken by Geoff Nelder 2005 -- they may be copied with my blessing as long as credit is given