As you approach the Ta’ Sannat village from the centre of the island, you’re greeted by a scene of a cluster village arising on a series of terraces like a stepped hill.  The road leading to the village is flanked on both sides, with olive trees growing in what feels like a floodplain. This stretch of land, known as Ġnien is-Sultan (The King’s Garden), harks at the medieval ages when this area was actually a fief of a noble family.  One cannot miss the entrance to the village heralded by the mega-sized block letters standing right at the main road that leads to the village square.

Along this main street, tucked right next to the Local Council offices, stands an old windmill. Coming into the square, you’ll notice the ‘Salib tad-Dejma’, a pedestal with a cross. This structure, also found in other locations around the Maltese islands, dates back to when the towns and villages were protected from the corsairs by local militia, known as ‘id-dejma’. This group of men would meet at the respective cross, ready to intercept the enemy when the alarm was given.  The newly regenerated St Margaret’s Square, the village’s main square, is one of the most charming that Gozo has to offer.  The church dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch rises atop a parvis, graced by a flight of stairs.  The building, in traditional Maltese baroque architectural style, has a symmetrical façade and finely crafted stonework typical of many churches in Gozo.   The square is a perfect place to stop for coffee or lunch and absorb the tranquil atmosphere under the shade of what many can be regarded as one of the oldest trees on the island.  The picturesque scene has not escaped the gaze of international filmmakers, and in fact, the square has been the backdrop for the ‘Madame Blanc Mysteries’, a British television series.

The villagers are avid feast fans, and if you happen to be on the island when St. Margaret’s feast is celebrated, make sure you visit the village in the evening to enjoy the colourful feast marked with much aplomb and spectacular fireworks.

On one side of the church, one can still find four old statues of saints that were once on the church parvis.   Heavily eroded in places yet still outlining the original craftmanship, these statues have a haunting beauty and stand like silent witnesses to Ta’ Sannat’s long history as they gracefully weather the passage of time.  In their own way, these statues seem to point to the story of this village, one which is highly associated with the quarries from which globigerina limestone (franka) was extracted for the building of local houses.  These quarries are no longer used and have been transformed into agricultural fields.   On the road from Ta’ Sannat to the rocky cover of Mġarr ix-Xini, one can still notice two traditional kilns that were used to bake local stone and break it down into lime powder.

As you explore the village of Sannat along its main route, you will also find one square marked as Pjazzetta Tax-Xelina. The history of this area has been intricately woven with that of the British Empire and World War II.   A street adjacent to this square was severely hit during a World War II air raid when two German bombers dropped bombs on the village as they tried to flee the English Spitfires that flew out to defend the island.  The fateful event left 18 dead, many wounded and a trail of demolished and damaged houses. Later on, in 1951, Queen Elizabeth II visited the village’s lace house, which stands in this square and in the nearby vicinity of what many consider an authentic and old-style village bar serving traditional home-cooked dishes.

Ta’ Sannat is one of the more rural villages, and the countryside is always on the doorstep.  Areas such as Ta’ Ċenċ, Ta’ Saguna, and Tal-Bardan are a must-visit for visitors seeking open spaces.   Located on the village’s outskirts, key hiking trails skirt the dramatic limestone cliffs, offering magnificent vistas that change with the season, the weather, and the time of day.    Along the trail, you will stumble upon diverse wildlife and endemic plants.   Beyond the ecological fascination, these areas are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and those who seek inspiration and tranquillity. This is the ideal spot for quiet reflection, where the only sounds that break the silence are the faint hum of insects or the sharp calls of birds.

Exploring Ta’ Ċenċ is like walking through an open history book where scattered megaliths and cart-ruts infuse both legends and mystery. The megaliths referred to as Dolmens and Menhir are still perfectly visible. Standing still since time immemorial, along with the Bronze Age temple remains, they cannot but raise questions about the significance of this area in prehistoric times.     On the rocky ground, you might be astounded to notice parallel tracks or channels running through the stone.  Referred to as cart ruts by history books, these tracks akin to train tracks have haunted scholars and conspiracy theorists alike.

The meandering and narrow road to Mġarr ix-Xini Bay is another interesting route.   The chasm of Mġarr ix-Xini Valley sports Gozo’s old water pumping station, and once you reach the cove at the end of the road, you’re again in a film setting. Here, Angelina Jolie filmed ‘By the Sea’ in 2014, capturing the picturesque coastal views. Mġarr ix-Xini is a favourite swimming, snorkelling, and even diving spot and is renowned for its marine life.

Ta’ Sannat is essentially a country village, and staying in this typical Gozitan village has its charms. You’ll be pleasantly surprised that in Ta’ Sannat, you have a variety of accommodation options, from self-catering apartments and farmhouses to several B&Bs and even a 5-star hotel!