Żurrieq

Villa Munqar is situated in the south west, baroque village of Żurrieq. Located just ten minutes away from the Malta International Airport and 7km away from Valletta, this villa is immersed in typical Maltese countryside with breath-taking sea and countryside views overlooking the Wied Babu Valley, Hagar Qim temples, extending up to the silent city of Mdina, Rabat, Mosta Dome, Valletta and St. Julians.  It is a perfect location to explore the beauty of the southern coast with its main feature being the picturesque Blue Grotto which is only a 30 min walk from the property.  Għar Lapsi is also a 15 minutre drive away from the villa.

It seems that the town got its name from the colour blue, zoroq in Maltese, but authors disagree whether it refers to te blue sea of the Blue Grotto or the colour of the eyes of the town inhibitants which is very popular in this town.  However, the motto seems to dismiss this; it says: “Sic a Cyaneo Aequore Vocor”, meaning “From the blue sea I took my name”.

Żurrieq seems to be one of the oldest towns in Malta; in fact, a collection of remains dates back to the Bronze, Punic and Roman times was found. Such heritage includes tombs, pottery, the Punic Tower, Xarolla Catacombs, Cart Ruts at ‘Tal-Bakkari’ and ‘Tal-Ħlantun Tower’ amongst others. The first documentation shows that back in 1436 it already had a parish church dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, while other heritage from the times of the Knights and the British still remain. Structures from the 15th and 16th century are spread across the town, such as the Xarolla Windmill, Armoury, Palazzo Ganbatist, the Wardija Tower and Bubaqra Tower. Żurrieq is also famous for the beach in Wied iż-Żurrieq and the Blue Grotto. The island of Filfla is administratively a part of the town.