Wied il-Ghasel (Valley of Honey)

Wied il-Ghasel is a picturesque valley in Mosta that make part of one long valley (wied) reaching a length of about 14.4 km and forms an important link in Malta's second largest water catchment. The valley takes its name from the wayside chapel erected there in 1760, while the latter derives its name from the honey, which, according to a common belief, was so abundant in the past. According to folklore, the numerous bees used to produce so much honey in their hives situated in the cracks of the rocks that, at points, these over-spilled and honey trickled out all along this valley.

This valley hosts many species of flora, amongst which there are some of the endemic plants of Malta. During the rainy season there are pools and streams, supplied also from the runoff water from the Rabat plateau, which give this habitat the sounds and feelings of the presence of water. There is also a selection of trees and large shrubs including common species such as the Carob, Fig and Olive. Fauna is also very much present in this valley and it spans from the tadpole and frog to bees, beetles and wall lizard, amongst others. The valley in all its length is at its best in winter and spring, when water and nature are at their height to the benefit of the flora and fauna inhabiting this, Mosta’s most important natural habitat. The area is listed as an Area of High Landscape Value and was declared a Nature Reserve.

There are three wayside chapels found along this length of the Mosta valley: San Pawl tal-Qlejgha (dedicated to the Shipwreck of St. Paul), Ta’ l-Isperanza, and San Pawl l-Eremita.