About Fontana [1 of 10]

Fontana, a suburb of the city of Rabat, which is itself a suburb of the Citadel, has developed into a village in its own right. It lies on the Rabat–Xlendi road strained between the historic capital of the island and the spectacular bay of ix-Xlendi. People began inhabiting the place attracted by the several fresh water springs in the area.

Fontana, simply known to the people of Gozo as It-Triq tal-Għajn, the way to the spring, took its name from a bountiful spring at the bottom of the main road of the village known as Il-Għajn il-Kbira, the principal spring. The spring flows close to the spot where three valleys, Wied il-Lunzjata, Wied Siekel, and  Wied tas-Saqwi, converge into Wied ix-Xlendi. Wied is Maltese for valley. The village is thus very aptly called the village of valleys and springs. The name Fontana is Italian for spring.

The people of Fontana can be referred to as il-Fontanin but the word is hardly ever used.

Copyright Joseph Bezzina 2005