Culture and traditions are a big part of our heritage, but unfortunately, many are slowly dying out. Facebook page It-Torri L-Ahmar (a page that combines the love for Malta and iconic local elements) posted an incredible video of a spontaneous visit to one of the last remaining blacksmiths on the Maltese Islands, who explains much about the trade.

Meet Wenzu l-Haddied, a humble blacksmith from San Lawrenz in Gozo who has been in the trade for over 60 years. “In old times we had no electricity, everything had to be done manually,” he said. Working all day by the fire and hammering at iron pieces was a typical day for this local blacksmith.

Wenzu explains that the nickname “il-haddied” came from his mother’s side of the family. But no other blacksmiths exist on the island and he’s pretty much a lone ranger in the field.

Wenzu says that they’d have to hammer with all their might to create products – not an easy feat! But he wouldn’t change it for the world. “I can’t find a place better than Gozo,” he says, having been there all his life.

Watch the incredible footage here: