Guide to Kercem

"Just a short hop from the capital, Victoria, Kercem is a village delightfully untouched by time and tourism."

One of the hills near Kercem is probably the site of the first ever human settlement in the Maltese Islands – around 7000 years ago. The village has come a long way since then. But it remains one of Gozo's most charming and unspoilt spots, offering a chance to step back to a time when life was lived at a more relaxed pace. An old windmill and some typically sculpted stone balconies are just some of the relics of the village's long heritage, as is the ruined aqueduct, originally built by the British in 1839. As for the traditional main square, it's straight out of a scrapbook of Mediterranean scenes from bygone eras. That's not to say that Kercem is a totally sleepy place. The inhabitants are known for their fun loving approach to life and organise several popular events throughout the year, including the Ghadira Fair. If you're lucky to be there when the fair is on, have a go at one of the traditional games. You could win a goat or a rabbit! When you want to tuck into a slap up meal, you'll find the best restaurants in nearby Victoria. Kercem is famous here for its local bread and pastries though, so be sure to pop into a bakery while you're here. Be warned though, they're mouth-watering and very, very moreish! By the way, choose to stay in Kercem and you get two villages for the price of one, as next door you'll find charming little Santa Lucija - a rural idyll where sheep graze lazily on pastures around a rustic church piazza. If you fancy having your spine tingled, pay a visit to the catacombs at Ghar Gerduf, also known as the White Lady's Caves after the ghostly figure who is said to wander these ancient burial chambers. Alternatively, take a peaceful stroll and enjoy the scenery. Wied tal-Lunzjata is a particularly delightful place for a walk – a fertile mini-valley scattered with fresh water springs and mulberry trees.

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