A short walk away from the town of Victoria, along the road overlooking the Fontana village and the valley of Lunzjata, lies the village of Munxar.  As one of the smaller villages on the island, Munxar retains the charm of a quiet, peaceful settlement, with a strong sense of community and village life, and many hidden nooks to discover.

Derived from the archaic word  ‘monxiar’, meaning “bucksaw,” this village settlement evolved into the shape of a bucksaw amid two parallel valleys.  Although the village has an inland feel at first glance, Munxar has a strong coastal connection.   The coastal cliffs of Sanap and Ras il-Bajjada rise along its southern edge, and the bay of Xlendi unfolds down the meandering slopes below the village core.

From this intriguing natural setting, the village unfolds inward towards a central village square under the watchful gaze of the parish church, dedicated to St Paul the Apostle, Malta’s principal patron saint.   Built in 1914 in the Baroque style and consecrated a century ago, the church is a significant landmark for the villagers, as the parish of Munxar became an autonomous parish in the mid-twentieth century.   The church houses a statue of Saint Paul, dating back to 1933, crafted by Gozitan statuarian Wistin Camilleri.   The square is a daily meeting point and the centre of the annual village feast.  Munxar celebrates the feast of St. Paul at the end of May, initiating the Gozitan summer festa season.  The village’s community, despite its size, participates enthusiastically and organises festivities worthy of its patron saint.

Stemming out from the square is a network of streets that spreads around the village like long strands of thread. It is easy to observe the variety of typical Gozitan dwelling styles as you explore the village.   The older farmhouses, reflecting traditional vernacular architecture, are immediately recognisable by their rougher, even irregular stonework, smaller windows and entryways, and the typical ‘remissa’ door.   This door was originally built to accommodate a horse and cart.   One might even catch a glimpse of the inner courtyards or indoor gardens, typically framed  by stone-arched balconies.  Many of these old dwellings have been renovated into modern residences, and some are even offered as holiday accommodation. Buildings from the mid-twentieth century feature more ornate facades and typically include balconies with wrought iron works overlooking the streets. In the newer neighbourhoods, contemporary houses blend the traditional honey-coloured or pale limestone with modern design, creating a fresh yet harmonious streetscape.

In Munxar, the countryside is always a glance away, and literally, if not in one street, then in the next. Countryside paths abound in all directions, offering one of the village’s greatest gifts to visitors. Munxar is possibly one of the most rural locations, and it boasts the unique  Sanap  cliffs belvedere, a vantage point sought for dramatic scenery and sunsets.    This stretch of land connecting Munxar to Xlendi is a favourite walking or hiking route, while heading in the other direction leads to the Ta’ Cenc plateau.

While Sanap cliffs reverberate with the wild, mysterious magic of raw nature, the other side of the village unfolds into pastoral scenes descending down towards Xlendi through Xlendi valley.  Fields, rubble walls and all-year-round greenery define the landscape.  The valley is a rich ecological space where reeds and indigenous trees like carob thrive alongside other non-natives, such as the castor oil plant (locally known as ir-riġnu).  The running water here has created a habitat for one curious creature of the Maltese islands – the endemic Maltese freshwater crab, among other wildlife.  This area is especially attractive for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers.  There are plenty of photo opportunities, and artists will doubtlessly reach out for their sketchbooks.    The rural calm and simplicity evoke the feelings of days gone by.

Few are those who visit Munxar and do not continue along the road to Xlendi. Once a fishermen’s village, Xendi is a vibrant seaside town of its own, offering a variety of accommodation and dining options and opportunities for boat trips, watersports and diving.

If you simply pass through Munxar on your way to Xlendi without pausing to soak in the ambience of its square, sauntering through the quiet streets, or exploring its rural paths, you will be missing out. The tranquillity of the village offers a truly authentic Gozitan experience.