Kercem Beehive

This historic photograph shows a natural rock face in Kerċem, formed by layered limestone cliffs and densely covered with indigenous vegetation, including prickly‑pear plants and shrubs. Set into a shallow cave at the centre of the rock formation is a stone structure punctured by numerous small circular holes, clearly distinguishing it from the surrounding rock. The structure visible in the rock is a traditional beehive (miġbħa tan‑naħal), used for housing bees and honey production, a practice deeply rooted in Gozo’s rural economy. Such rock‑cut or cave‑adapted apiaries were deliberately placed in sheltered, elevated locations to protect hives from wind and extreme weather while remaining close to cultivated and wild flowering areas.