San Lawrenz

San Lawrenz is a small charming village on the western part of Gozo. It is built on a plain surrounded by three hills, Ta' Ghammar, Ta' Gelmus and Ta' Dbiegi. The last mentioned, Ta' Dbiegi, rises 195 metres above sea level and is Gozo's highest point. In the limits of San Lawrenz there is also the splendid bay of Dwejra, renowned for its strange geological faults and admired by tourists and locals alike.
This picturesque village has succeeded in retaining its traditional and rural lifestyle. It has managed to open up to progress without sacrificing its natural beauty and those values and traditions, which form the identity of this charming village.
San Lawrenz is one of the two Gozitan localities that have taken their name from that of their patron saint. The other is the nearby hamlet of Santa Lucija. San Lawrenz was established a parish on 15 March 1893. Before this date, the area was known as Ta' Cangura. Most probably the site derived its name from a local family name or nickname. The date of origin of this area is not known. However the name Ta' Cangura can be dated back to before the tragic Siege of Gozo, that is, before July 1551.
Until San Lawrenz was declared a parish in 1893, it formed part of the neighbourhood of Gharb. However as time went by the people of San Lawrenz started to form a separate community and as a result they wanted their own church. The foundation stone for this new church was laid and consecrated by the Bishop Peter Pace on 21 November 1886. The relic of Saint Lawrence was placed under this stone. Every villager participated with great enthusiasm in the building of the church.
The village feast of San Lawrenz is celebrated each year, unimaginatively in the warmest part of our Summer, namely around the first week of August.

USEFUL INFORMATION

How to go: From Victoria Terminus, Bus nos. 2 & 91
Interesting Features:
1. Access to Dwejra Bay including Inland Sea, Fungus Rock and Azure Window, and Dwejra Watchtower
2. Parish Church dedicated to St. Lawrence Martyr

Festa of St. Lawrence Martyr - San Lawrenz

The community of San Lawrenz celebrates the feast of its patron saint, St. Lawrence every 1st week of August.
San Lawrenz is the only village in Gozo named after its patron saint. It lies on the road to Dwejra just below Ta’ Dbieġi, the highest hill of Gozo.
The village of San Lawrenz became a parish in 1893. The foundation stone of the new church was laid on 21st September 1886 and the building was comlpleted by 31st January 1889. The sanctaury was consecrated by Bishop Ġwann Marija Camilleri on 28th April of the same year.
The statue of St Lawrence was made by Gallard et Fils of Marseilles and it arrived in San Lawrenz on 4th August 1895. The first feast was celebrated six days later and has since been celebrated every year, even in the height of the 2nd World War.