Some of the 500 people live in 17th century houses that offer a unique charm, perhaps because of the elliptical arches behind the weathered stone balconies. Good examples are found in Triq Wied Merill. Others live in brand new houses that carry the tradition of stone sculptures in their balconies and doorways. Often new houses are built adjacent to the much older ones. Here one can see not only the artistry but also the virgin stone of San Lawrenz.
Active quarries lie west and south of the village proper.
As a hilltop village San Lawrenz may be tiny, but its long coastline is an intriguing one that records life during various epochs, from that of the Knights to prehistory. Cart ruts, long thought to be absent from western Gozo, exist at Qawra. And there is a Roman Tomb at Dwejra Bay which, popular with bathers, derives its fame from a singular rock that shelters it. The importance comes from a minute plant that has been mistaken for a fungus. Botanically known as Cynomorium Coccineum, the mysterious red plant with tiny flowers was once believed to have great healing powers.