Fungus Rock

Photo: Fungus Rock

Location: Maltese Islands - Gozo - Dwejra

Info: Grand Master Pinto decreed the Rock out of bounds in 1746 (trespassers were punished with a three-year spell in the galleys of the Knights Hospitaller), posted a permanent guard there and even built a precarious cable-car basket from the rock to the mainland 50 metres away. Atop this 60 meter monolith, also known as the General's Rock (Il-Ġebla tal-Ġeneral) grows a rare tubular plant (fucus coccineus melitensis) that was believed to cure dysentery and many other illnesses. The fungus was much prized by the Knights and was kept under constant guard for centuries. Due to the height of the Fungus Rock, rising to a sheer height of 80 meters from the sea, the plant was almost unreachable, therefore the Knights constructed a hoist from the watch tower, known as 'Qawra Tower' which can still be seen. They say that on the rock lives a lizard that is only found there in the world.

Thanks for your comments.

-