The Maltese islands, situated almost at the center of the Mediterranean, offer the attraction of clear blue waters, secluded bays and sandy beaches while, in the towns, medieval walled citadels and splendid baroque churches and palaces reflect the rich history of the islands.
Malta Valletta The town was built at the end of the 16th century by the Knights of St John as the island’s new capital and, more importantly, as a fortress commanding an impregnable position over the peninsula. The city developed around what is now Republic Street, Old Bakery Street and Merchants
Street, the latter containing some of the finest examples of Maltese-style Baroque architecture in the islands. The Co-Cathedral of St John has an austere exterior, but the interior is a sumptuous mixture of gilded tracery, marble mosaic floors and a lapis lazuli altar behind which is a remarkable marble group of the Baptism of Christ. The painting by Caravaggio of the beheading of St John is in the Oratory. The Grand Master’s Palace in Republic Street was built 500 years ago as the abode of the Grand Master of the Order of St John, and contains a series of paintings depicting the great siege of 1565, painted by a pupil of Michelangelo, and a group of tapestries originally designed for Louis XIV. The palace also houses an armory which has one of the best collections in existence. The Manoel Theater, named after one of the most popular Grand Masters, is the second-oldest theater in Europe and stages performances of opera, theater, music and ballet between October and May. The National Museum of Fine Art, housed in an 18th-century palace, has a collection of furniture, paintings and treasures connected with the Knights of St John. The Church of Our Lady of Victories, built in 1566, is the oldest church in Valletta and was built to commemorate the victory over the Turks. At the nearby Auberge de Provence is the National Museum of Archaeology, which has exhibits from the area dating back to prehistory. The town also has a bustling market in the Floriana suburb on Sunday mornings and another one in Merchants Street from Monday to Saturday.
Sliema Sliema lies facing Valletta. It is a large, modern cosmopolitan town bustling with hotels, shops, cafés, cinemas, restaurants, bars, clubs and discos. The shoreline here is rocky, but is nevertheless good for bathing. The neighboring St Julian’s is also a lively and popular resort area.
Mdina Mdina is perched on a high plateau towering over the rest of the island. It was once Malta’s capital and the citadel is one of the finest surviving examples of a medieval walled city. The town is entered by a stone drawbridge which leads to a maze of narrow streets, lined with churches, monasteries and palaces, connected by tiny piazzas. Of particular interest is the Norman-style Palazzo Falzon which has a collection of antique weapons and pottery, a cathedral, and a museum that still houses a magnificent collection of art treasures; survivals from the sacking which the town suffered at the hands of the French in the 18th century. From Bastion Square, the visitor has a breathtaking view of the surrounding fields and villages, and also of St Paul’s Bay.
Rabat Rabat has fine Baroque churches, St Paul’s and St Agatha’s Catacombs and the Roman Villa. There are many interesting walks within close proximity to the town, such as the Chadwick Lake, Dingli Cliffs and Verdala Castle overlooking Buskett Gardens, the only wooded area in Malta. On the southwest shore is the Blue Grotto where, legend reports, sirens bewitched seafarers with their songs. Four caves reflect the brilliant colors of the corals and minerals in the limestone. The most spectacular is the Blue Grotto itself, which is best viewed in the early morning with a calm sea. Buses run to an embarkation point in Valletta where a boat can be taken to the caves.
Elsewhere Within close proximity to Paola are the archaeological sites of Tarxien, with its neolithic temple; Hypogeum, a complex of ancient underground burial chambers on three levels dating back 3000 years; and Ghar Dalam (Dark Cave) where the remains of now extinct birds and animals such as dwarf hippos and elephants have been found. Hagar Qim on the south of the island is a neolithic temple dating back 3000 years and constructed from huge closely-fitting stones decorated in a very ornate style. Typical Maltese fishing communities such as Marsaxlokk, Birzebbugia and Marsacala are sprawled along the coves and inlets at the southernmost tip of Malta. Fishing nets and colorfully painted boats crowd the waterfronts, and each day’s fresh catch can be eaten at the family-run tavernas. Also at Marsaxlokk is the recently discovered Temple of Juno, which was originally used by the Greeks as a place of worship to the goddess of fertility.
Resorts The most popular beach area is along the north coast where sandy beaches are plentiful and the clear waters here are ideal for sailing, skindiving and water-skiing. The best beaches are at Paradise Bay, Golden Bay, Mellieha Bay, Armier Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, all of which are very popular during the summer and pleasantly quiet during spring.
Gozo & Comino Gozo Gozo is Malta’s sister island and the second-largest of the archipelago. The landscape consists of flat-topped hills, steep valleys and rugged cliffs and villas that nestle among peach, lemon, olive and orange groves. In spring the island comes ablaze with the flowering hibiscus, oleander, mimosa and bougainvillaea. Some of the local crafts (lace and knitwear) are sold from the doorways of houses and on the street.
Victoria The capital of Gozo is Victoria (also known as Rabat), built by the Arabs on Castle Hill, which offers the visitor panoramic views of the whole island. The cathedral has no dome, but inside, a trompe l’oeil painting on its ceiling gives the illusion of a dome. There is also a cathedral museum. The Museum of Archaeology contains Roman remains from a shipwreck on the island and items excavated from the neolithic temple at Ggantija.
Elsewhere on Gozo Other places of interest on Gozo include the Citadel (‘Gran Castello’), with its historic bastions and old houses (one of them set up as a folk museum). There are alabaster caves at Xaghra, with stalactites and stalagmites. These underground caves are known as Xerri’s Grotto and Ninu’s Grotto. The basilica at Ta’Pinu, near the village of Gharb, is one of the most beautiful of Maltese churches and an official Vatican place of pilgrimage. Xewkija is a small town with a beautiful new church, built round the old parish Church of St John the Baptist.
Resorts The waters surrounding the island are unpolluted and crystal clear. The most important beaches are il-Qawra (better known as the inland sea, with a secluded pebbly bathing pool, crystal clear water and sheer cliffs), an unspoilt sandy beach known as Ir-Ramla il-Wamra and Xlendi Bay. In summer there are numerous festivals with fireworks and horseracing in the streets. Marsalforn is a fishing village on the north coast which has become one of Gozo’s most popular seaside resorts.
Comino The island of Comino, thick with wild herbs (particularly cumin), lies between Malta and Gozo and is inhabited by probably no more than a dozen farmers. Paths which wind through the unusual rock formations provide the only communication links and the island is ideal for anyone seeking a very quiet holiday. A few sandy coves and small bays, such as Blue Lagoon, are the main attractions.
