Life in the ancient village of Ghaxaq in the south of Malta still largely revolves around agriculture and animal husbandry. Ghaxaq first became a parish in 1626, and is said to derive its name from the noble family Axiaq (pronounced uh-shuck, the same as the village name) which had feudal lands in the area in the 14th century. However, the word ghaxaq also means delight in Maltese and that, to me, is the most appropriate definition of the village. Ghaxaq celebrates not one but two festas. This week’s festa is dedicated to St Joseph, and the village will turn green (the colours of the St Joseph band club) as the streets are artistically decorated with decorations made by the club. Celebrations last 10 days, with exuberant brass band marches, spectacular fireworks displays and of course the highlight of the feast, the devotional procession of the statue of St Joseph through the village streets. 

This is your chance to combine prehistory with local popular and religious culture in a most historic location! The village of Tarxien (tar-shin) is famous for Tarxien Temples, a megalithic temple complex which, together with the temples at Hagar Qim and Mnajdra in Qrendi and Ggantija in Gozo are the oldest free-standing structures in the world. This is not the only old site in the village. Tarxien itself is so ancient that its motto reads Tyrii Genure Coloni which means “the Phoenicians created me”. After visiting the temple, stay on to experience the village’s parish feast dedicated to the Annunciation, which is being celebrated this week. The Parish of Tarxien is one of the oldest in Malta, dating back to 1592, and the current parish church was built in the 17th century on the site of three older chapels.  

Squashed between Msida and Floriana on the way to Valletta and often referred by the name of its larger sister town of Pietà, Guardamangia’s claim to fame is none other than Queen Elizabeth II, who lived here with her husband Prince Philip between 1949 and 1951 in what she would later describe as “the happiest years of my life”. Villa Guardamangia, where she lived, still stands today albeit in a rather sad state, and is not open to the public. Set on a steep hill overlooking two creeks and with such close proximity to the capital, it is surprising that this area of prime real estate was never home to any of the Knights of St John. Legend has it that the land here was in fact once owned by a servant. Guardamangia is a relatively young parish, having only been consecrated as such in 1968. The sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima was opened in 1955 as a centre of the Rosary Crusade, and is the home of the Dominican friars. Pietà is home to Ta’ Braxia Cemetery which is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission site and where many World War I garrison veterans from the British army and navy are buried. It is interesting to note that quite a large number of Maltese people have Pietà as their place of birth, as this is where the general hospital and maternity hospital used to be. However, they wouldn’t consider Pietà to be their hometown.

The smallest village on Malta’s smaller sister island of Gozo makes for a very quaint location to visit. Its most renowned feature is the Ta’ Gurdan lighthouse atop the Gurdan hill above the village. Rising 180m above sea level, the lighthouse was inaugurated in 1853 and its beam could be seen up to 50km away. Today, you can enjoy magnificent 360 degree views of the island which make the steep uphill walk well worth the effort. Meanwhile, the fabulous valley of Wied il-Ghasri is a favourite haunt for hikers and cyclists. At the end it opens up into a secluded inlet which is well known among the locals for swimming, snorkelling and diving. This weekend, the village will be donning its finery to celebrate the parish feast of Corpus Christi.