About
Kerċem
Kerċem is probably so called after the name of a family with Arabic roots living in the area. The village rises above green il-Lunzjata valley and close by there is Għar Gerduf, the remains of a Roman-Christian catacomb of the third century. Once some four chapels were clustered upon this spot. Excavations in the vicinity revealed the probability of an establishment of Roman baths. The road parallel to the church leads to Ta’ Klula, from where there are wonderful views of ix-Xlendi bay and cliffs. The parish church is dedicated the Virgin Mary of Perpetual Succour and Pope St Gregory the Great.
Ta' Kerċem aktarx li ssejjaħ hekk wara l-kunjom jew laqam ta’ familja b’għeruq Għarbin li kienet tgħix fl-inħawi. Ir-raħal jinsab ’il fuq mill-Wied tal-Lunzjata b’diversi nixxgħat ta’ ilma u għalkekk dejjem iħaddar għax raba’ saqwi. Fuq ir-riħ tal-Wied, hemm Għar Gerduf, li fil-fatt hu fdal ta’ katakombi Ruman-Kristjan tar-raba’ seklu. Kien miżmum b’post qaddis, tant li fl-inħawi kien hemm erba’ kappelli kważi jmissu ma’ xulxin. Minn skavi li darba saru, hu maħsub li fl-inħawi seta’ kien hemm stabbiliment ta’ banjijiet Rumani. It-triq ta’ maġenb il-knisja tar-raħal twassal għal Ta’ Klula, minn fejn hemm veduti mill-isbaħ tal-irdumijiet u tal-bajja tax-Xlendi. Il-knisja parrokkjali hija ddedikata lill-Verġni Marija tas-Sokkors Perpetwu u lill-Papa San Girgor il-Kbir.
