Sannat Local Council
Dolmens
Locate on mapA number of dolmens can be observed at Ta’ Cenc. Dolmens consist of large single blocks of stone which were normally placed over dead bodies at the end of a funerary process. They date from prehistoric times, in particular from the Bronze Age.
The Old School
Locate on mapThis building is located within Main Street (Triq il-Kbira) and housed Sannat’s first school. Its external architecture consists of a series of identical vertical windows. It has been converted into two residences.
The Lace House
Locate on mapThe Lace House is a typical townhouse of Sannat located within one of its squares, Pjazza tax-Xelina. It is particularly famous for having been visited by Queen Elizabeth II in 1951 when she was still princess. She visited this building specifically to be able to see women working some fine Gozo lace (“bizzilla”).
Palazzo Palina
Locate on mapThis old palace forms part of the complex of Hotel Ta’ Cenc. It was built between 1697 and 1620 during the rule of Grandmaster Ramon Perellos y Roccaful, as denoted by the coat-of-arms adorning the building. It has been painstakingly restored to its former glory and is often used as a wedding venue. It is renowned for its arched halls and for its vernacular courtyard and gardens.
Ta' Cenc Cliffs
Locate on mapThese are the most majestic cliffs of Gozo rising abruptly out of the deep blue Mediterranean. Their sheer drop is a dramatic sight. They are formed out of lower coralline limestone and are the home of colonies of Cory’s Shearwater birds.
Cart Ruts
Locate on mapThese enigmatic features consist of channels cut within the coralline limestone rock and are found within the rocky garigue of Ta’ Cenc. They mysteriously disappear at the edge of the cliffs. Little is known about them but they are thought to have been used to channel the wheels of some form of cart.
Mgarr Ix-Xini Bay
Locate on mapThis is one of the most popular bays in the southern coast of the island. It is sought after for its crystalline waters. It has been recently made famous after it was made public that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt chose it as their setting for the filming of a blockbuster movie.
Dahla Tac-Cnus rural Recreation Park
Locate on mapThis recreation area was formed within a derelict space on the southern periphery of the village. It was established through EcoGozo funds. The project consisted in the construction of rubble walls bordering an area paved with grass blocks, the planting of various endemic trees and the installation of timber furniture.
Sannat Playing Field
Locate on mapThis is one of the first playing fields developed in Gozo and until recently still included the original playing equipment which was by then considered as obsolete. Sannat Local Council has recently embarked on its complete upgrading and, with the help of the MEPA Urban Improvement Fund, installed completely new playing equipment and eliminated all steps through the inclusion of various accessibility ramps.
Mġarr ix-Xini Watchtower
Locate on mapThis tower was constructed in 1661 during the reign of Grand Master de Redin. It is one of the most imposing watchtowers with a square plan accommodating a single room on each of its two floors, each with a single seaward window. The main floor is accessed through a flight of stairs rising to the main door. A timber drawbridge separates the external access stairs from the main door. The tower’s singular characteristic is its landward protection at roof level which consists of three small rooms forming a sort of high parapet wall protecting the roof from the landward side. The tower was restored in the late 1990s by Wirt Ghawdex and the Ministry for Gozo under the direction of Architect Edward Scerri.
