Munxar

About Munxar

The first records that were found recording Munxar as an area dates back to the sixteenth century when the area was named Monxiar, which means a bucksaw, taking its name from the two valleys running parallel from the village. Remains of a megalithic temple were found in the limits of Ta' Marżiena and also Roman remains were found in Xlendi valley. 

From a sixteenth-century census, the village had a population of around 200 inhabitants and the first surnames recorded in the census were Attard, Barberi, Hagius, among a few others which suggests that these were the first Munxarin. At that time, Monxiar and Xlendi were part of the village of Sannat and at that time, the population of Xlendi was only 8 people who were the tower guardian and his family who lived in Xlendi tower. People of Munxar attended their spiritual needs at Saint Margaret parish at Sannat; however, historical facts and documented evidence point to the existence of three other chapels which are now completely demolished.

Late in the nineteenth century, the present parish priest of Sannat noticed the need for a small chapel for the spiritual need of the Munxarin, so a chapel was constructed in the site where the parish church now stands. In the following years, the chapel became too small since the village grew, and the rector of the chapel presented a petition to build a church to the bishop. The building of a new church was approved by the bishop's curia and on 2 February 1914 construction of a new church began on a site donated by two brothers and a sister known as 'Ta Katalla'. The church was finished on 19 February 1921 and was dedicated to Saint Paul and later a statue of Saint Paul was made by Wistin Camilleri in 1933. Munxar church was made a parish on its rights by Bishop Giuseppe Pace on 12 December 1957 and was also consecrated on 18 October 1925. The parish church is a small baroque building built from the typical Maltese stone. 

As a result, Munxar was the last village in Gozo to become an autonomous parish. The feast officially falls on 10 February which is also a national public holiday; however, the outside festivities are celebrated on the third Sunday of each May.