Safi, one of Malta’s smallest villages with a population of under 2,500, is tucked beside the runway of Malta International Airport. Despite its proximity to modern infrastructure, the village remains a quiet and picturesque village, offering peaceful spots like Sir Alexander Ball's Garden.

Though small in size, Safi’s place in Maltese history is significant, with records as far back as 1419 mentioning the village by name. At the time, it had a population of just 80 to 90 people. However, the origin of its name remains a subject of debate.

Some historians suggest the name comes from the Maltese word 'safi', meaning 'pure', perhaps referring to the area's clean air. Others speculate it was named after the City of Safi in Morocco, while another theory suggests that the village was spared from an epidemic that ravaged much of Malta, leaving its residents untouched, and potentially considered 'pure'.

The true origin may lie in a combination of these ideas, but the village’s motto, 'Sine Macula' - Latin for 'without blemish' - could offer a hint!

Have you ever visited the village of Safi?