Sannat on Gozo offers two distinct starting points for planning your trip: the landscape around Ta’ Ċenċ and historic buildings in Sannat. In southwestern Gozo lies the protected area “Rdumijiet u L-Inħawi ta’ Ta’ Ċenċ”, which is part of the Sannat municipality. It is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Special Protection Area (SPA). The cliffs, opportunities for nature watching and local history give the area a clear thematic focus.

Cliffs, Garigue and Birdlife

The cliffs of Ta’ Ċenċ are the highest on Gozo. They are also home to the largest concentration of Scopoli’s shearwaters in the Maltese Islands. Ta’ Ċenċ is also one of two known breeding sites of the European storm petrel in the Maltese archipelago. The cliffs therefore represent not only a striking landscape, but also two distinct bird-related features, each with its own geographical scale.

The Ta’ Ċenċ plateau features a garigue landscape typical of Malta. Walking trails run along impressive limestone cliffs on the edge of Ta’ Sannat. Along these trails, you can discover a variety of wildlife and endemic plants. Another landscape feature is the Hanżira Valley: this natural gorge separates Ta’ Sannat from Xewkija. Thus, in addition to plateau and cliffs, the natural area includes a striking divide between the two villages.

There is an important practical restriction when visiting the Ta’ Ċenċ area: access is from Sannat via the grounds of the Ta’ Ċenċ Hotel, and the area is privately owned. Obtain permission before entering. Bear this condition in mind when planning your trip if the cliffs and trails are to be the focus of your stay.

Historic Traces in Sannat

Historic remains can also be found on the Ta’ Ċenċ plateau. There are sparse remains of the L-Imramma temple, as well as three dolmens. The dolmens and menhir at Ta’ Ċenċ are still visible. These scattered archaeological sites offer a different focus from the birdlife and garigue: they draw attention to the landscape’s long history of human use, without suggesting a particular itinerary.

In the village, St Margaret’s Church offers a clearly dated point of reference for the history of architecture. Construction of the present church began in 1718 on the site of a smaller church. It was first consecrated in 1755; following structural modifications, it was consecrated again in 1868. The altarpiece was painted by Stefano Erardi. The church’s construction phases and artwork give it both historical and artistic significance.

Another historic note about the village concerns Sannat’s lace house: Queen Elizabeth II visited it in 1951. Palazzo Palina, a restored 17th-century country residence, is also located at the Ta’ Ċenċ Hotel. The three examples differ in type—a church, a lace house and a country residence—and complement the prehistoric traces on the plateau with architectural and local history.

Combine Nature and Culture When Planning Your Trip

You can choose what to focus on in Sannat based on your specific interests. Ta’ Ċenċ combines cliffs, garigue and birdwatching with walking trails where you can discover wildlife and endemic plants. Historic sites range from the dolmens and menhir to the church and Palazzo Palina. This lets you shape your travel plans around whether you are mainly interested in the landscape and nature or in buildings and historic traces. When visiting Ta’ Ċenċ, also bear in mind that the land is privately owned and obtain permission before entering.

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