Comino

Comino (Maltese: Kemmuna) is a small island in the Mediterranean Sea, lying between the islands of Malta and Gozo. It covers an area of 3.5 square kilometres (1.4 sq mi) and is named after the cumin seed. Today, Comino has only two permanent residents. It belongs to the municipality of Għajnsielem in southeastern Gozo, where a priest and a policeman travel from each day.

The island is well-known for its natural beauty. It is both a bird sanctuary and a nature reserve, and is part of a special Natura 2000 marine protected area. This helps protect the plants, animals, and water around Comino, making it an important place for nature lovers and scientists.

Environment

Comino has a special rocky landscape that helps certain plants and shrubs grow. Some areas have been planted with pine trees. At Santa Maria bay, there are sand dunes with native plants like Vitex and Tamarix trees. The island is important for birds, especially for yelkouan shearwaters that breed there. It was named an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.

History

Comino was once called Ephaestia in Ancient Greek. During Roman times, farmers lived there, but the island was often empty, owned by private people, or completely abandoned. Its rocky coast has tall cliffs and deep caves that pirates and attackers used in the Middle Ages for hiding and planning raids on boats between Malta and Gozo.

Later, the Knights of Malta used the island for hunting. In the 1800s, a big British ship, the HMS Sultan, ran aground and sank near Comino.

In the 1920s, a family named Zammit Cutajar rented the island and started farming. At its busiest, about 80 people lived there, growing crops and raising animals. Over time, many moved away, and today only two people call Comino home.

Buildings and structures

St Mary's Tower

Main article: Saint Mary's Tower

Saint Mary's Tower is the most noticeable building on the island. People wanted to build it in 1416 to warn of any possible attacks and to stop others from using the island as a hiding place. The tower was finally built in 1618 by a group called the Knights of Malta. It is a big, square building with four small towers at the corners. The tower stands about 80 metres above sea level and is part of a line of towers along the coast to help communicate between nearby islands.

Comino chapel

There has been a chapel near St Mary's Bay since at least 1296. Today, there is a small chapel dedicated to the Holy Family above the bay. It was built in 1618 and enlarged a few times over the years. In the past, when it was too rough to travel to the chapel, people would watch a special flag code from far away to follow the service.

Saint Mary's Battery and Redoubt

Main articles: Saint Mary's Battery and Saint Mary's Redoubt

Saint Mary's Battery was built in 1716 to guard the sea. It still has old cannons and has been carefully restored. There was also a smaller defence building called Saint Mary's Redoubt, but it was torn down later.

Contemporary structures

A hotel called the Comino Hotel was built in the 1960s, and there are holiday homes near St Mary's Bay. Plans are to rebuild the hotel with fewer rooms and more holiday homes, but this needs approval. There is also a small police station to help the few people who live there and the visitors.

Transport

Ferries help people travel to Comino from either Malta or Gozo. These boats leave from places called Ċirkewwa or Mġarr, and their schedules change with the seasons.

Group tours run mostly from March to December. Big tour boats leave from ports like Sliema and Bugibba and often visit the Blue Lagoon. Private boats also leave from Ċirkewwa and nearby spots, offering shorter trips to explore caves, lagoons, and quiet places to swim around Comino.

Economy

Impact of tourism

Between Comino and the nearby islet of Cominotto lies the Blue Lagoon, a beautiful bay known for its clear, cyan waters. Many tourists visit each day, enjoying activities like diving, snorkelers, and swimming. Other beaches on Comino include Santa Maria Bay and St. Nicholas Bay.

In recent years, there have been concerns about how tourism is managed at the Blue Lagoon. Some businesses have set up without proper permissions, taking up space that should be open to everyone. This has caused problems for the environment and for visitors. Efforts are being made to protect the island's nature and limit harmful developments, but challenges remain.

Film location

Comino has been a popular spot for movies, including scenes from Troy, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Swept Away.