40 pts3 min read🚶 on foot🟢 easy
Gozo's only natural freshwater spring feeds a Knight's washhouse from 1373 — still used by locals today. Perhaps the oldest continuously operating laundry in Europe, on the historic road from Victoria to Xlendi.
Gozo's Only Natural Spring
On an island where annual rainfall barely reaches 500 mm and every drop of water is precious, Fontana holds a unique distinction: it sits above Gozo's only natural freshwater spring. The name itself comes from the Italian word for "fountain" — a testament to how remarkable running water was in this arid archipelago.
A Washhouse Since 1373
The first public washhouse was built here in 1373, when Gozo was still under Aragonese rule. For over 600 years, women from across the island made the walk to Fontana to wash clothes in the spring-fed stone basins. The current arched structure was erected in 1685 by the Knights of St. John, who understood that controlling water meant controlling the island.
An ingenious stone gutter irrigation system channels water from a spring in the Kerċem Valley down to the washhouse — a piece of medieval engineering still functioning today.
Living History
Unlike most historical sites, the Knight's Wash House is not just a monument — it's still in use. Local Gozitan women occasionally come here to wash clothes the traditional way, making it perhaps the oldest continuously operating laundry in Europe. The cool spring water runs year-round, even in the driest summers.
The Road to Xlendi
The washhouse sits on Triq tal-Għajn (Spring Street), the historic road connecting Victoria to the fishing village of Xlendi. Knights, farmers, and fishermen all passed this spot daily — and stopped to drink. It's a 15-minute walk downhill from Victoria's Citadel, making it a perfect stop on the way to Xlendi Bay.
Tip
On the road from Victoria to Xlendi (Triq tal-Għajn). Open 24h, free. Worth a visit — it's living history of Gozo.
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