Sie heisst also WIE\u0126ED, was auf Maltesisch „Eins“ bedeutet. Geschaffen hat sie der gozitanische K\u00fcnstler Austin Camilleri. Auf Malta kennt man ihn schon l\u00e4nger. Er hat scheinbar auch dort ein kurioses Pferd namens \u017bieme in Valletta aufgestellt. Bei meinem n\u00e4chsten Besuch in der Hauptstadt werde ich mal ein Bild davon schiessen.<\/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
Er versteht WIE\u0126ED, die neue Sehensw\u00fcrdigkeit auf Gozo als spielerische Auseinandersetzung mit der Tradition des Reiterdenkmals. Statt einen Feldherren in Bronze zu giessen, hat er die Form aufgebrauchen. Was wie ein Pferd aussieht, ist eigentlich keines. Es sind zwei halbe Pferde, ohne Kopf. =) Aber er wollte daraus eben „Eins“ schaffen. Eine Figur, die sich aus Mehrdeutigkeit zusammensetzt.<\/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
- \n
- Nature Conservation<\/strong>
Der Standort liegt mitten in einem Natura-2000-Gebiet, also einem nach EU-Recht besonders gesch\u00fctzten Lebensraum. Sowohl die maltesische Umweltbeh\u00f6rde ERA als auch die Superintendence for Cultural Heritage sprachen sich gegen das Projekt aus. Die ERA bezeichnete den Vorschlag als „ausserhalb des Kontexts und unvereinbar mit der unber\u00fchrten K\u00fcstenlandschaft“ und empfahl die Ablehnung. Die Planungsbeh\u00f6rde genehmigte das Vorhaben trotzdem. Auch BirdLife Malta hatte Einspruch erhoben und h\u00e4lt daran bis heute fest. Gesch\u00e4ftsf\u00fchrer Mark Sultana argumentiert, dass m\u00f6glichst viele Fl\u00e4chen g\u00e4nzlich frei von menschlichem Eingriff bleiben sollten, egal wie \u00e4sthetisch das Eingreifen daherkommt.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Aesthetics<\/strong>
Hier scheiden sich die Geister. Online lese ich Kommentare wie „Augenschmerz“ oder „ich erkenne weder Kopf noch Schwanz“. Die Umweltaktivistin Sasha Vella nannte die Skulptur einen „Eyesore“ und bekam daf\u00fcr viel Zustimmung. Auf der anderen Seite verteidigt etwa der K\u00fcnstler und ehemalige Manoel-Theatre-Direktor Kenneth Zammit Tabona die Arbeit. Sein Argument auf den Punkt gebracht: Kunst muss nicht „zum Vorhang passen“. Gerade dass die Skulptur irritiert, sei ein Wert an sich, weil sie Menschen zwinge, ihre Erwartungen an Kunst im \u00f6ffentlichen Raum zu hinterfragen.
<\/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
What do I think of our new attraction on Gozo? I want to address exactly the three points mentioned above and write my opinion on them. Because I walk past this sculpture four to five times a week and have witnessed how it was installed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- 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>Ich finde die Skulptur ehrlich gesagt sehr irritierend. Es ist Kunst, daher darf hier jeder rein interpretieren, was er m\u00f6chte. Aber zwei Pferde ohne Kopf, lieblos ineinandergesteckt, f\u00fcr 200’000 EUR? Hier h\u00e4tte man sich mehr M\u00fche geben k\u00f6nnen. Vielleicht auch thematisch es mehr an Gozo anpassen k\u00f6nnen. Es gibt f\u00fcr mich wesentlich relevantere Symbole und Themen f\u00fcr Gozo, als kopflose Pferde. Ich k\u00f6nnte mir z.B. weiter vorne bei den Salt Pans eine grosse Skulptur vorstellen, die einen Mann zeigt, der \u00fcber den Schultern einen Balken mit zwei Salzkesseln daran tr\u00e4gt.
<\/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
![\"wiehed](\"https:\/\/egx5hoebfh6.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/wiehed_gozo_anfahrt-1024x613.jpg?strip=all\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf 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
Von Marsalforn aus f\u00e4hrst du etwa 5-10 Minuten nach Westen, entlang der K\u00fcstenstrasse. Der Weg f\u00fchrt Richtung Xwejni Bay weiter zu den Salt Pans. Von Victoria, der Hauptstadt auf Gozo aus ben\u00f6tigst du je nach Verkehr ca. 15 Minuten. Du kannst entweder \u00fcber Marsalforn fahren oder \u00fcber Zebbug. Ich empfehle dir die Strecke \u00fcber Zebbug, da die Aussicht von dort oben super ist. Fahre einfach der Beschilderung „Salt Pans“ nach.<\/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
FAQ | 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<\/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 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 ist maltesisch und bedeutet „eins“<\/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 will find some impressions and photos of the sculpture Wiehed Gozo.<\/p>\n\n\n
- Aesthetics
- Aesthetics<\/strong>