Situated just off the road from Victoria to Xlendi, between Fontana and Kerċem is the picturesque Wied il-Lunzjata (Lunzjata Valley). The shallow valley, still untouched by the hand of modern progress, is lined by thriving agricultural fields, fruiting trees and water canals of great antiquity. It dates way back to the times of the Knights of the Order of St. John, it being used as hunting grounds. Nowadays the nourished soil of the valley allows farmers to grow and harvest crops, it being the only valley in Gozo supplied by permanent freshwater springs forming a continuous watercourse all year round.
At the entrance of the valley, partly dug out of the rock, is the small quaint chapel dedicated to the Annunciation of Our Lady. Constructed in the early 16th century, this chapel is one of the oldest on the island. Its interior covered in red damask drapes, the chapel has one altar and one titular painting depicting the Annunciation of Jesus, the work of Luca Garnier.
The valley also hosts another architectural attribute, a 17th century fountain which pours out water drawn from the fresh water spring running through the rocks. It was built by Ercole Martino Testeferrate under the commission of Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful in 1698. Today the fountain is protected by Din l-Art Ħelwa, a local organisation committed to the safeguarding of historic, artistic and natural heritage of Malta. Lunzjata Valley also forms part of the Natura 2000 site thus being protected under EU regulations due to its diversity of species. It is also ideal for bird watching as the site attracts spring and autumn migrant bird kinds.
With its lush green fields, wildflowers, rocky passages and continuous sound of running water, this unspoilt wild valley’s calming ambience makes it one of the best places for a relaxing country walk.
