the Azure Window Gozo

The Collapsed Natural Window An Natural Icon Of The Maltese Islands

The Azure Window was certainly one of the most eye-catching attractions of the island until its collapse in March 2017. It was considered one of Gozo's best-known landmarks together with the Dwejra Inland sea, the Fungus Rock, Dwejra Tower and for divers, the Blue Hole.

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Facts About The Azure Window Gozo

  • The window collapsed on 8th March 2017.
  • The height of the window was 28 meters (92 feet).
  • The width of the window was 25 meters (82 feet).
  • They filmed multiple movies at the location.
  • One of the most visited locations on the island.
  • A new azure window was initially planned to replicate the collapsed window.
A family looking at the Azure Window 5 years before its collapse.The Azure Window 5 years before collapsing

geology of the window

It was a high arch with a squarish shape of monumental dimensions formed naturally within the rock formation. Through this large opening in the rocks, sea passes through and one can see the sharp cliffs lying behind this opening.

It was the most photographed location in Gozo because of its imposing size and structure. Walking towards it you will notice the hundreds of shell fossils embedded in the rocks underfoot.

All this is an experience in its own right and the closer you approach the Window, the better one can marvel at its very huge size. The open sea is not always calm and so dependent on the weather one gets a different feel of the place every time.

It was created over thousands of years of erosion by wind and sea and so it is doomed to collapse. Last year a large chunk from the side of the outer megalith fell down and is thought that in a few years this natural window will disappear. This is the fate of all windows erosion has created that.

How was the Azure Window formed

The Azur window developed through natural erosion of the rock formation where the sea with its mighty force of waves erode little by little the rocks at sea level. Also the rain has its share where it seeps in and creates natural passages until it finds its way to the sea.

How the arch formed - It was eroded through many years where at one time the middle area started to be eroded quicker than other parts. This could have happened through waves hitting harder at that position and also by weaker and fissured rocks that crumble quicker.

Some think that it took thousands of years, and others a couple of hundred years old.

A well-known local photographer Daniel Cilia had suggested through research that he conducted that the window could be around 140 years old. He observed several paintings, photos and through a journal entry that the window formed between 1866 and 1879.

On the other hand the Gozo, San Lawrenz Mayor Mr. Noel Formosa believes that it could date back a few hundreds of years.

Films Featured At This Location

The Maltese islands have been involved with the film industry since 1925 where around 100 feature films have been shot in Malta either entirely or partially. The earliest film was called ‘Sons of the Sea’.

Various feature films and series that had included the Azure Window and its surroundings.

  • Clash of the Titans released in 1981.
  • The Count of Monte Cristo released in 2002.
  • The Odyssey' in 1997, an American television mini series.
  • Game of Thrones is a drama television series broadcasted between April 2011 and May 2019.
  • Sing Handed during the early fifties.
  • Actor III in 1985.
  • Among Wolves during 1985.
  • Christopher Columbus – The discovery released during 1992.
  • Documentary scenes for Nonsolomoda an Italian program shown on Rete 4 and Canale 5 of Mediaset.
  • The First Eden: The Mediterranean World of Man which explored the history and culture of the Mediterranean Sea.
  • The Mountain of Diamonds – Italian / French production.

*SPOILER ALERT! This following paragraph may contain spoilers!*

game of thrones azure window

The Azure Window was one of the filming locations of the HBO's fantasy series, Game Of Thrones. This location was used in Season 1 to film the Dothraki wedding of Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa) and Daenerys (Emilia Clarke). 

Azure window falling

All this is an experience in its own right and the closer you approach the Window, the better one can marvel at its very huge size. The open sea is not always calm and so dependent on the weather one gets a different feel of the place every time.

It was created over thousands of years of erosion by wind and sea and so it is doomed to collapse. Last year a large chunk from the side of the outer megalith fell down and is thought that in a few years this natural window will disappear. This is the fate of all windows erosion has created that.

The azure window Collapse

On 8th March 2017 at around 9:40am local time (8:40 am UTC) the Azure Window collapsed during a strong gale force storm which hit the Maltese islands the day before. Nothing remained visible above sea level.

On that same day Roger Chessell, a Xagħra resident was at Dwejra to take photographs of the storm where he witnessed the collapse.

For the Gozitans it was a historic heritage. The big rocks are now lying at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea.  

This location has now become a very popular diving site to many divers. Divers enjoy exploring the area which has caused a hit in the media news and tourists are visiting the areas where the window used to stand still enjoying taking photos of the site.

The white huge rocks that got fragmented from the massive arch found themselves at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea forming massive uneven structures that are an attraction to divers. They are impressive with various natural cantons and passages for divers to explore.

The pillar gave way under the heavy battering of the waves where here they are known to be very rough. All the window pillar and arch collapsed into massive chunks of rock which all piled on each other under the sea with nothing visible above sea level.

The white rocks will not remain as they are for long as the marine life is already shaping itself on their surface and for this reason that divers are eager to dive now not later.

The site can be explored with a few dives as it spread over a wide area. It is ideal for a variety of diver certification ranging from 5 meters to 52 meters deep.

Divers have been told to use registered clubs to dive around the site. 

The Azure Window collapsed.The Collapsed Azure Window in 2018

Azure window underwater

A year after its collapse, the iconic Gozitan landmark is now a diving attraction.

The underwater wonders that have formed from the remains of the Azure Window were documented and shown on YouTube. The video reveals massive huge boulders of limestone spread all across the seabed with many cracks and many sharp edges. All very clear until the marine life will take over all the limestone surfaces. In fact, after a year this is what happened.

It is important to say that the top part of the arch fell in one whole chunk.

The dept ranges from 8 metres to 57 metres. This is suitable for different dives of divers with different certifications. It requires a number of dives to explore all the spreading site.

Azure Window today

No visit to Gozo was a complete one where many people used to visit this location before going back home. So famous was this natural landmark, that when it was finally lost it made headlines around the world.

The former Maltese prime Minister Joseph Muscat declared the event as “heart breaking”.

On the day of the collapse many people went to see for themselves as they could not believe it. It was the talk of the day for some time until everyone accepted the reality.

azure window restaurant

The Azure Window a wine bar and restaurant is perfectly located at the Dwejra inland sea at an elevated position for the perfect view. Surely a memorable lunch or evening meal offering Mediterranean food specialising in local fresh local fish. Also serves pizza, pasta, salads and meat.A perfect place for friends and families alike.

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Avatar By Albert and Benjamin Magro