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Angry tourists have taken to TripAdvisor—the preferred domain of angry tourists—to bemoan the loss of the Azure Window in Malta, the famous rock formation that collapsed into the sea following heavy storms in March. Leaving no trace behind, it was an incident considered by some as a national tragedy, with even the Maltese prime minister taking to Twitter to describe it as “heartbreaking.”
Yet while there’s not much left to see at the site near Dwejra Bay on the island of Gozo, that hasn’t stopped tour groups from passing through—and making their opinions heard. Upon seeing an empty space where the famous arch once stood, many have been motivated to leave one star reviews on the travel website, lamenting the loss of the ‘Tieqa tad-Dwejra’ to the brutal forces of nature.
One commenter, dubbed ‘td2travller’, wrote, “Went to where it was but there are few other attractions other than the sea. Nature wins.” Meanwhile another hard to please traveler, hailing from Burnley in the U.K., said “What a waste of time… There was a small church/chapel which was probably the worst on the island. Don’t waste your time going here.” Another described the newly-changed landscape as “nothing special” and bemoaned the “highly overpriced drinks and icecreams.” Notably, TripAdvisor has stated at the top of the Azure Window page that the popular tourist attraction no longer exists.
The reviews aren’t all bad however. Describing the area, known for its dramatic cliffs and crystal blue waters, as “more than just a window,” one user advised tourists to swim in a nearby rock pool when the sea is calm. “Just inland from the window is the Inland Sea, a beach and swimming spot where water comes from the sea, through a cave, with waves and everything!”
While the Azure Window had not been in immediate danger of crashing into the sea, it didn’t exactly come as a surprise, either. The erosion of the arch was deemed inevitable in a 2013 study, and local authorities had posted numerous signs warning visitors not to climb on the structure and threatened those who violated the rules with hefty fines. Of course, that did little to deter eager Instagrammers, who were drawn to the site not just for its phenomenal beauty but its role in films such as Clash of the Titans, the 2002 re-make of The Count of Monte Cristo, and most prominently, the television show Game of Thrones. (Those disappointed that they can no longer visit the exact site of Khaleesi’s Dothraki wedding can still visit plenty of other filming locations.)
And if you’re still planning a trip to Malta, don’t feel too despondent: The small European nation’s Ancient Hypogeum, an underground, prehistoric cemetery said to be one of the world's best-preserved prehistoric sites, has just reopened to the public.
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