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If you are already on a sightseeing tour in Gozo, I of course want to give you some data and facts about the sculpture, as it is currently not labelled (as of April 2026). Here are the most important key facts about the new attraction on Gozo:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Height:<\/strong> 570 centimeters <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Material:<\/strong> Bronze, with anchoring made of stainless steel (AISI 316L)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Feature:<\/strong> eight legs, no head, balanced on only two contact points <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Location:<\/strong> Ras ir-Reqqa at Xwejni, on Triq is-Sag\u0127trija, near the Salt Pans<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Protection status of the site:<\/strong> Natura 2000 area, outside the building zone<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Client:<\/strong> Ministry for Gozo<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Costs:<\/strong> over 200,000 Euros in public funds <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Selection:<\/strong> one of four works from a public art competition in 2021, commissioned in 2023, installed in 2025<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The sculpture is therefore called WIE\u0126ED, which means \u201eOne\u201c in Maltese. It was created by the Gozitan artist Austin Camilleri. He has been known in Malta for a while. He has apparently also erected a curious horse named \u017bieme in Valletta. I will take a picture of it on my next visit to the capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Idea Behind It | What the Artist Wants to Tell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The artist Austin Camilleri was born in 1972 in Victoria on Gozo. I only heard of him now, but he may well have a name in the art scene. I am more of an art philistine myself. \ud83d\ude04 He has had exhibitions in Venice, the Vatican and also in the UN building in New York, among others. That is quite an achievement for a Gozitan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an interview with several Maltese newspapers, he reveals in detail what the sculpture in Xwejni is all about. Eight legs, no head, no rider. That is unsettling at first. Anyone who has classical equestrian statues from European capitals in mind will search here in vain for heroic pose, pedestal and inscription. That is exactly the point, says the artist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He understands WIE\u0126ED, the new attraction on Gozo, as a playful take on the tradition of equestrian monuments. Instead of casting a commander in bronze, he used the form. What looks like a horse, isn't actually one. It's two half horses, without heads. =) But he wanted to create \u201eOne\u201c from it. A figure composed of ambiguity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why in Xwejni and at the Salt Pans?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The sculpture did not end up at this spot by chance. Camilleri deliberately matched the form to the location. The curve of the legs follows the line of the coastline, and the sculpture responds to the Billinghurst Cave, which lies directly in the rock below the cliff edge. Anyone who sees the sculpture therefore also sees a piece of invisible geology. That is subtle and does not reveal itself at first glance, but it is part of the concept. It did not reveal itself to me on the 17th glance either. But I am curious to see how this develops over the coming weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bronze is intentionally left unsealed. It is meant to develop a patina, to be altered by the salty air, and to grow into the rocky landscape over the years. Patina is that greenish layer you know from church roofs. Camilleri compares this to the coastal towers of Malta, which eventually became a natural part of the cliffs. Whether it will actually look like that in ten or fifty years remains to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why There is Controversy | Three Lines of Conflict<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Yes, a new attraction on Gozo is not always welcomed equally by everyone. I did a little research, as the forums and groups are full of mostly negative comments. What is actually behind this? There are in fact three different reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Nature Conservation<\/strong>
The location is situated in the middle of a Natura 2000 area, a habitat particularly protected under EU law. Both the Maltese Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) and the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage spoke out against the project. The ERA described the proposal as \u201eout of context and incompatible with the pristine coastal landscape\u201c and recommended its rejection. The Planning Authority approved the project anyway. BirdLife Malta had also objected and maintains its position to this day. CEO Mark Sultana argues that as many areas as possible should remain completely free from human intervention, regardless of how aesthetically pleasing the intervention may be.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Aesthetics<\/strong>
Opinions are divided here. Online, I read comments like \u201eeyesore\u201c or \u201eI can't see the head or tail.\u201c Environmental activist Sasha Vella called the sculpture an \u201eeyesore\u201c and received a lot of agreement for it. On the other hand, artist and former Manoel Theatre director Kenneth Zammit Tabona defends the work. His argument, in a nutshell: art doesn't have to \u201ematch the curtains.\u201c Precisely because the sculpture is irritating, it is valuable in itself because it forces people to question their expectations of art in public spaces.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Location<\/strong>
Even those who can live with the form and material often stumble over the question: why here of all places? Xwejni is one of the most unspoiled stretches of the Gozitan coastline. Salt pans, cliffs, wind, silence. Camilleri justifies the choice pragmatically. The location is close to the road, which allows access without new paths or lighting and thus ensures minimal intervention. Critics counter that this very proximity to the road turns a quiet natural space into a photo stop destination and permanently changes the character of the place. The sculpture can be dismantled, but the impression in the collective image of the place less easily.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nThree lines of conflict that cannot be cleanly separated. Those who reject the sculpture rarely do so for just one reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My Honest Impression on Site<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"joy](\"https:\/\/egx5hoebfh6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20260424_090618-1024x473.jpg?strip=all\")
Criticism of the Sculpture \u2013 My Opinion on WIE\u0126ED Gozo<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n How do I find our new attraction on Gozo? I want to go into detail about the three previously mentioned points and write my opinion on them. I walk past this sculpture four to five times a week and have noticed how it was installed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Nature Conservation<\/strong>
To be honest I cannot say much about this. I do not want to interfere here, as others are far more knowledgeable on the subject. My criticism at this point is the additional visitors who will be gathering here. There are no bins placed there so far. This will mean that additional litter will accumulate here. Even if it is just a brief photo stop.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Aesthetics
<\/strong>Honestly, I find the sculpture quite irritating. It's art, so everyone can interpret what they want. But two headless horses, unlovingly shoved into each other, for 200,000 EUR? They could have put more effort into this. Perhaps they could have also adapted the theme more to Gozo. For me, there are much more relevant symbols and themes for Gozo than headless horses. For example, further up at the salt pans, I could imagine a large sculpture showing a man carrying a beam over his shoulders with two salt pans attached.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Location<\/strong>
With the artist's reasoning, I do not find the location question all that dramatic. Yes, at first glance, there are far better places on Gozo. There is an art school where such an artwork would look beautiful in the front garden. I also feel that the material bronze does not match the limestone, the sandstone that characterises the area around the Salt Pans. That is, of course, a matter of taste. It was previously a natural spot with an unobstructed view of the sea.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nIn the end it is like everything else. It is a matter of getting used to it. Time will tell whether the sculpture WIE\u0126ED will continue to be perceived as disruptive on Gozo. I got used to it after the first week already, even though you can really see it from very far away. We can even see it from our terrace. So there is no escaping it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting There | How to Find WIE\u0126ED Gozo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/egx5hoebfh6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/wiehed_gozo_anfahrt-1024x613.jpg?strip=all\")
Map of New Tourist Attraction on Gozo \u2013 Directions<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n If you want to form your own impression of the new attraction on Gozo, that is easy. The sculpture stands freely accessible on the coast, has no entry fee and can be perfectly incorporated into a hike along the northern coast of Gozo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Directions<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
From Marsalforn, drive west for about 5-10 minutes along the coastal road. The road continues towards Xwejni Bay, leading to the Salt Pans. From Victoria, the capital of Gozo, it takes about 15 minutes depending on traffic. You can either drive via Marsalforn or via Zebbug. I recommend the route via Zebbug, as the view from up there is superb. Simply follow the signs for \u201eSalt Pans.\u201c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parking<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Best park directly on Triq is-Sag\u0127trija, the narrow coastal road that runs past the Salt Pans. There are no marked parking spaces there, but enough parking options on the roadside. In high season, it can get busy here, as divers are also active in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hike \/ Walk<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
A trip solely for the sculpture Wiehed Gozo is only partly worth it. It is much nicer if you plan a hike along the coast. You can for example start from Wied il-Ghasri or even from Wied il-Miela\u0127. Then head east along the coastal road and you will automatically pass the sculpture. You can also comfortably start the hike using public transport in Marsalforn. From there it is about 4 km to walk to the sculpture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best Time of Day to Visit Wiehed Gozo<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
The light is at its best in the late afternoon or at sunset. At midday, it is also very hot in summer. There is no shade there, including directly under the headless horses. \ud83d\ude09 Early in the morning, it is certainly the least busy. And there is a chance we might run into each other there. I would stop by either very early in the morning, between 8 and 9, or at sunset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion | Is a Detour Worth It?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Is it really worth visiting the new attraction on Gozo? A clear YES, even though I am rather critical of the whole thing in the section above. Nevertheless I feel a stop there is worthwhile, especially when you also visit the Salt Pans and Xwejni Bay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am very curious to see how and above all whether the sculpture WIE\u0126ED Gozo truly integrates into the landscape. I will also continue to follow the comments in the various groups, as the topic interests me as a travel blogger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leave me a comment below on how you see the topic. Have you already visited the new attraction on Gozo? What do you think of it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Book a tour that takes you to WIE\u0126ED Gozo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Powered by GetYourGuide<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nFAQ | Frequently Asked Questions about the New Attraction on Gozo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Where is the new horse sculpture on Gozo located?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
The sculpture stands on the cliffs of Ras ir-Reqqa at Xwejni<\/strong>, on Triq is-Sag\u0127trija near the well-known salt pans. The location is northeast of Marsalforn and is easily accessible by car via the coastal road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who is the artist?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
It was created by Austin Camilleri<\/a><\/strong>, a Gozitan artist born in 1972 in Victoria. He has exhibited internationally, including at the Biennale in Venice and the Vatican Museums. On Malta he is also known for his three-legged horse \u017bieme in Valletta from 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How tall is the \u201e8-legged horse\u201c sculpture?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
WIE\u0126ED is 570 cm tall<\/strong>, approximately 5.70 meters tall. It is made of bronze and balances on only two contact points, anchored with stainless steel in the rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What does WIE\u0126ED mean?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
WIE\u0126ED is Maltese and means \u201eone\u201c<\/strong>. The name refers to the fact that the sculpture does not show a single horse, but two animals that were merged into one figure through sampling and recombination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can it be visited for free?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Yes, the visit is free of charge and possible at any time.<\/strong> The sculpture stands freely accessible on the coast, with no entry fee, no opening hours and no barriers. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes and keep a safe distance from the cliff edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gallery | WIE\u0126ED Gozo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Here you'll find some impressions and pictures of the Wiehed sculpture Gozo<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n
- Aesthetics
- Aesthetics<\/strong>
- Material:<\/strong> Bronze, with anchoring made of stainless steel (AISI 316L)<\/li>\n\n\n\n