For many British travellers, Malta is the ultimate home away from home – British speaking and roads where you drive on the left side, but with the additional bonuses of beautiful sandy beaches, warm Mediterranean sunshine, friendly and welcoming locals, topped off with a wealth of architecturally beautiful churches and buildings – all courtesy of the legacy of The Knights of St John. What more could you ask for? Well, here are a few more ideas of where to visit on this stunning Mediterranean idyll.
10. Casa Rocca Piccola
flickr/mrmarvz_photography
For an overview of Maltese history and as a starting point for any Maltese holiday, this privately owned Casa (or house) is a great place to start. The Casa Rocca Piccola is the family home to this very day of the noble de Piro family, who can trace their lineage back over 400 years to 1530 when Cosimo de Piro arrived on Maltese shores, having left Rhodes (Greece) during the general exodus of The Knights of St John. This wonderful attraction has over 50 beautiful rooms which vividly bring to life Maltese history and show the art and culture of this Mediterranean people.
9. Lascaris War Rooms
flickr/Michael Caroe Andersen
For anyone interested in World War II, the island of Malta, being strategically placed as it is, will offer a wealth of historical information and sights – non better or more relevant than the Lascaris War Rooms at St James’ Ditch, Valletta. These rooms were actually the Allied Forces top-secret underground headquarters for military operations in and around the Mediterranean Sea during this conflict.
The rooms were constructed 150 foot under-ground so as to be totally bomb-proof – which was just as well, as the area above them did indeed receive a direct bomb hit, reducing much of the area to rubble. Inside the rooms as one might expect, visitors can see the operation centre, maps and information, and learn just how the Allied Forces were able to plan their various offensives. Take a walk back in time and revel at how such an operations centre could have been kept secret from the Germans and Italians for so long.
8. Mnajdra Temples
flickr/Jeremy Tilston
Overlooking the island of Fifla, to the south of Malta’s southern coastline at Qrendi and tucked into a hollow in the cliffs, are the Mnajdra Temples. These three temples overlook an oval forecourt and the oldest (the upper temple) dates back to 3600-3200 BC to what was then known as the Ggantija phase of Maltese pre-history. These unique temples are amongst the oldest religious sites on earth and as such gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1992. The temples are made mainly from coralline limestone and the lower temple is astrologically-aligned and may possibly have been used as a calendar. Archaeologists believe the temples were used for animal sacrifices, but no tombs or signs of burial have been found. These temples are portrayed on the reverse of Maltese 1, 2 and 5 Euro coins.
7. Fort Rinella
flickr/Chickenhawk72
Fort Rinella or the Rinella Battery (as it is also known) was, in its time the most advanced war-machine made. Built in 1878 by the British, this huge gun emplacement was driven by a steam hydraulic system which ran on coal and the 100 ton gun could fire every six minutes – sending a one-ton shell up to eight miles. Now a historic site operated and run by the Malta Heritage Trust, Fort Rinella was in fact one of four similar gun batteries which were used during World War II against the Italian battleships the Duilio and the Dandalo which each had revolving 100 ton guns.
6. Malta Classic Car Collection
flickr/Billogs
Aah the thrill of the open road! If the thought of driving down an open road in a classic car from the heyday of motoring gets your blood moving, then this automobile extravaganza is for you! Situated in Klamari Street in Qawra, near beautiful St Paul’s Bay, the Malta Classic Car Collection will have driving enthusiasts literally blowing a gasket! Beautifully restored classic cars from the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s are all brought back to their former glory here for all to see and revel in. Add a touch of nostalgia in the form of many other historical pieces for this era to set the scene and any boy (or girl) racer will be in their element!
5. Upper Barraka Gardens
flickr/bazylek100
The Upper Barraka Gardens is a public park which was created in 1775 and given to the city of Valletta by an Italian knight – as a place where knights of the Order of St John could relax and seek peace. The Upper Barraka gardens form the highest part of the city walls and from the adjoining terrace one can see spectacular views across Valletta Grand Harbour and the towns of Vittoriosa and Senglea. If you want a place to just see the sights and breathe in the scent of flower blossom – then this is the destination for you!
4. Hal Saflieni Hypogeum
flickr/Heritage Malta
Yet another awesome example of ancient history from this region, the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is an underground temple (Hypogeum is Greek for under-ground) discovered by accident in 1902 by a stonemason who was laying the foundations for a house. This amazing labyrinth of tunnels, coiled staircases and domes is all the more astounding when you consider that it was constructed during a period when the tools used would have been just flint or bones.
The Hypogeum is carved from Corralline limestone and is believed to date back to early antiquity – some 2500 BC which equates to early bronze-Age and it is the only known subterranean temple and building from this time. Believed to have been built originally as a sanctuary, the Hypogeum contained numerous pottery and bead artifacts and also the bone remains of over 7000 individuals. In 1980 due to its outstanding historical significance it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. The Azure Window
flickr/Clive Rees
The Azure Window is surprisingly not a window at all but rather a view which gave rise to this name – for The Azure Window is actually a rocky ‘arch-like’ formation which forms part of the coastline of the Maltese island of Gozo. It was formed when two limestone caves collapsed – causing an almost perfect rectangular shaped hole to appear underneath a flat top. With the clear blue skies and the sea clearly visible through this natural ‘picture-frame’ it is easy to see how it got its name.
The ‘arch’ is unfortunately beginning to crumble – no doubt due to the illegal past-time of tomb-jumping off its top into the ocean and from people walking across the archway. Warning signs have now been posted and it is believed this unique piece of erosion-artwork may be gone in just a few brief years. So visit now – and don’t forget your camera!
2. St John’s Co Cathedral
flickr/Fabio Gismondi
Few buildings can really aspire to live up to the true significance of the word ‘Magnificent’, yet if one building does, then it is St John’s Co Cathedral in St John’s Street, Valletta. This church, built and recognized world-wide as the Home of the Knights (Grand Masters) of Malta is one of the most beautiful buildings you are likely to ever see. Its Baroque art and architecture is outstanding and many of the works of art contained both on and within its walls are priceless. Names like Caravaggio and Mattia Preti adorn the walls.
Beautiful Flemish tapestries and religious artifacts are also housed here. The building was commissioned in 1572 and dedicated to St John the Baptist who was the patron Saint of the Order of The Knights of St John. The Knights, many of whom were immensely rich and powerful in their own rights, were determined that the church they built would be seen to be at least equal in its opulence and beauty to those they had seen elsewhere within the Roman Catholic Faith. The result is a stunning building, containing many stunningly beautiful works of art. No trip to Malta would be complete without a visit here!
1. Mdina Old City
flickr/Neil Howard
Mdina Old City is exactly like it ‘says on the tin’ a very old city! Dating back more than 4000 years, it is believed that it was here in 60AD that the Apostle Paul lived after he was shipwrecked onto the island. The walled city is the old capital city of Malta and was the home and fortress for the Knights of Malta too, but was believed to have first been inhabited by the Phoenicians in 700 BC as well as by the Romans during its extensive history. Nowadays the city is often referred to as ‘The Silent City’ and inside the city walls the population of the town is still only around 300 people – however it is attached to Rabat which has a population in excess of 11,000 people.
The oldest buildings in the city today are believed to date back to the Norman period and there are many private ‘palaces’ contained within the city walls, as well as several museums. Take a stroll or a horse-carriage ride through its narrow, ancient and almost car-free streets and breathe in real-life history as you look around. Mdina is the culmination of all things historical and Mediterranean, and is the still-strong beating heart of the island of Malta. To enjoy the city at its best, try an early morning or late evening stroll when there’s even less people around – you’ll be glad you did and the views, well … go see for yourself!
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