 The village of Kercem lies close by to the south-east of Victoria, spread between the picturesque Lunzjata Valley, the green hills of "tal-Mixta, Ghar Ilma" and "ta' Dbiegi", and stretching up to the Pond of San Rafflu and Xlendi cliffs. These sites are indicative that this village has the most beautiful landscapes in the Island of Gozo, rendering them an artist's pleasuredome. The area is one of Gozo's best for country walks and cycling and could connect to the village of San Lawrenz or directly to Dwejra Bay.
Getting to Gozo from Malta is easy using the HotelRaider private taxi service Gozo Private Taxi
Archaeological discoveries show that the sizeable area of Kercem was inhabited as early as the Ghar Dalam phase (5000-4500 BC). The Roman Baths and an early Christian cemetery at Ghar Gerduf, referred to by Gozitan historian De Soldanis as Roman Catacombs, are also significant discoveries. However to date, these historic sites have not been adequately exploited and are unfortunately not accessible to the public.
 Kercem evolved into a village community in the late Middle Ages, around an ancient chapel dedicated to Pope St. Gregory the Great built around 1581. The site gained historical importance due to the annual traditional St. Gregory procession from the Matrix church in Rabat (Victoria) to this medieval chapel, upon the saint's feast, namely on the 12th of March. The chapel was however replaced by the present parish church in 1851 which in turn was enlarged later on to its present state between 1906-1910. Kercem became a distinct parish on 10th March 1885 by Bishop Pietru Pace. The Kercem parish church is the only Gozitan church, which is jointly dedicated to two saints. As referred earlier, it was traditionally dedicated to Pope St. Gregory, but since 17th August 1885, the church was additionally co-dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. As a matter of fact, although the village celebrates the two feasts without distinction, the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help could now be considered in terms of popularity as the main religious celebration of the village. It is celebrated yearly on the second Sunday of July.
The village of Kercem has a population of around 1700 people, but although this does not make it one of the largest in Gozo, its population is renowned as highly energetic, successfully venturing in all types of cultural activities making them popular all around Gozo. Such example is the annual Ghadira Fair, which is a popular traditional family fair in the beautiful countryside area of San Rafflu. Both young and old take their chances to win a variety of prizes ranging from home goods to traditional prizes like goats, sheep, rabbits and poultry. Traditional music, food, drinks, pony rides and other amusements also entertain people especially children.
 The peaceful hamlet of Santa Lucija, although in itself incorporated within Kercem, is quite distinct with its rustic church square empathising a calm picturesque charm unequalled throughout the whole island. Santa Lucija is slightly inhabited by country folk with a few old houses disorderly built around an old chapel dedicated to St. Lucy. Santa Lucija's green pastures, are the local shepherd's playground, and sights of grazing sheep are very common especially in winter or spring. A number of old farmhouses in the area have been discreetly converted to country villas, with great care spent on these properties to retain a rustic look. Santa Lucija is one of the few unspoilt places in Gozo whose inhabitants stubbornly resist a hectic urban life while rendering nostalgists from larger communities envious of what they gave away in time. |
