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Gharb
Ghasri
Ghajnsielem
Kercem
Marsalforn
Munxar
Nadur
Qala
San Lawrenz
Sannat
Victoria Capital
Xewkija
Xlendi
Xaghra
Zebbug |
KERCEM-GOZO ISLAND
Kercem
is mysteriously ancient.
Although only a short distance from the Island's capital,
Victoria, Kercem is a secluded village. Its origins are
ancient: in fact, the village and the outlying countryside are
home to several antiquities, and the source of much Gozitan
folklore.
Il-Mixta, one of its hills, is the probable site of the
first human settlement in the Maltese Islands 7,000 years ago. Other than that,
very little is known of Kercem's beginnings and name. Even its emblem, a simple
design with three circles, seems to be lost in unexplained imagery. Its motto,
flectar non frangar (bent but not broken), likewise begs some kind of tribute.
Until 1968, there was one day in the year when tribute did flow down Kercem
road. On March 12, feast day of St. Gregory, a pilgrimage under the auspices of
the diocese of Gozo left the Cathedral en route to the parish church of Kercem (Kerc
rhymes with 'church', em reads like the letter M). (...)
(...) Kercem's yesteryears also linger at an inland tower, a windmill tower (at
the border with Ghasri), and old houses displaying the oriental half-moon on
their stone balconies. Earlier in time we find the catacombs of Ghar Gerduf,
also known as l-Ghar tal-Mara l-Bajda (White Lady's Cave). Sightings of the
woman in white, a mainstay in Gozitan folklore, are among the ghost stories
associated with these burial chambers, which are among Malta's earliest hypogea.
The most romantic part of the village is Wied tal-Lunzjata, a fertile
mini-valley which it shares with Rabat. At the wied's banks are natural springs
such as Ghajn Tuta, which is reached via a steep incline. This is named for the
mulberry tree, which is plentiful in these parts.
Santa Lucija is Kercem's little, and much older, sister village. It has 300 of
Kercem's 1,400 people. This tiny outpost has its own defensive tower, even if in
dire ruins, and its own windmill tower. The villagers take pride in the small
but comely church of St. Lucy, which is introduced by an old stone cross. It was
built in 1657 and served as Kercem's parish church between 1848 and 1851. It was
enlarged in 1950 and three years later Guzeppi Briffa executed its fine
paintings depicting the martyrdom of St. Lucy. A little celebration is organized
in honour of St. Lucy in late autumn.
This unlikely locale is the birthplace of Gozo's most enduring social event.
Santa Lucija was the home of l-Orkestra tad-Dudi, a musical band which dominated
Gozo's social life for more than a hundred years, including all of the 19th
century. The dudi, with their violins, bass and cymbals, travelled all over Gozo
doing graduations, weddings, and other parties at a time when this kind of
entertainment was in its infancy.
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Kercem
Gozo -
Malta Holiday Resort Information-KERCEM GOZO
