San Lawrenz

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San Lawrenz
Saint Lawrence
Sudika San Lawrenz church.jpg
San Lawrenz parish church
Flag of San Lawrenz.svg
MLT San Lawrenz COA.gif
San Lawrenz in Malta.svg
Coordinates: 36°3′18″N14°12′15″E / 36.05500°N 14.20417°E / 36.05500; 14.20417 Coordinates: 36°3′18″N14°12′15″E / 36.05500°N 14.20417°E / 36.05500; 14.20417
Country Flag of Malta.svg  Malta
Region Flag of Gozo.svg Gozo Region
District Gozo and Comino District
Borders Kerċem, Għarb
Government
   Mayor Noel Formosa (PN)
Area
  Total3.6 km2 (1.4 sq mi)
Population
 (March 2014)
  Total748
  Density210/km2 (540/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Lawrenzjan (m), Lawrenzjana (f), Lawrenzjani (pl)
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
  Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
SLZ
Dialing code 356
ISO 3166 code MT-50
Patron saint St. Lawrence
Day of festa 10 August
Website Official website
Coast of San Lawrenz with the Dwejra Tower in the back. Bahia Rocosa, San Lawrenz, isla de Gozo, Malta, 2021-08-22, DD 70.jpg
Coast of San Lawrenz with the Dwejra Tower in the back.

San Lawrenz (English: Saint Lawrence) is an administrative unit of Malta, on the island of Gozo. Its name is derived from Lawrence of Rome who is the patron saint for the locality. It has a population of 748, as of March 2014.

Contents

The Dwejra nature reserve is administratively part of the town. Prominently in the reserve is the Fungus Rock, and formerly also the Azure Window landmark before its collapse on March 8 2017. [1]

Overview

It is built on a plain surrounded by three hills, Għammar, Gelmus and Ta' Dbieġi. The latter, Ta' Dbieġi, rises 195 metres above sea level and is Gozo's highest point. In the limits of San Lawrenz, there is also the bay of Dwejra, known for its strange geological faults.

The village has retained its traditional and rural lifestyle.[ citation needed ]

San Lawrenz is one of two Gozitan villages that have taken their name from that of their patron saint. The other is the nearby hamlet of Santa Luċija, Gozo. San Lawrenz was established a parish on 15 March 1893. Before this date, the area was known as Ta' Ċangura. 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' Ċangura can be dated back to before the Siege of Gozo, that is, before July 1551.

Until San Lawrenz was declared a parish in 1893, it formed part of the neighbourhood of Għarb. 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 in the building of the church.[ citation needed ]

The village feast of San Lawrenz is celebrated each year, in the warmest part of the Summer, namely around the first week of August.

There is one restaurant, the village shop and the local bar (run by the local football club to raise funds).

With a population of 748 people (as of March 2014), [2] it is the second least populated village on Gozo and third least in all of the Maltese Islands. The village's football team is called St. Lawrence Spurs.

Main roads

Other streets

Twin towns – sister cities

San Lawrenz is twinned with: [3]

See also

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References

  1. Malta – Guide Verdi Europa (in Italian). Touring Editore. 2007. p. 143. ISBN   9788836533176.
  2. "Estimated Population by Locality 31st March, 2014". Government of Malta. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 21 June 2015.
  3. "Twinning". localgovernment.gov.mt. Government of Malta. Retrieved 18 September 2019.