DISCOVER MALTA
The archipelago of Malta, also known as the Calipsee islands is a EU nation which lies about 90 km south of Sicily. With Pantelleria and Lampedusa, it forms the triangle of the Mediterranean islands located between the Italian and the Tunisian coasts. The Republic of Malta consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino, together with minor islets. The island-state of Malta is incredibly rich in architectural and cultural treasures, as well as offering breathtaking natural scenary and an interesting cuisine.
THE HISTORY OF MALTA
The history of Malta is rather complex and crosses all the most important stages of our civilizations. The earliest documentary evidence of human presence on the island dates back to the Neolithic period. Some temples were built with megalithic blocks, which have an inestimable value for the study of prehistoric populations and their religious beliefs..
Malta was the main theatre in the European Christianization, both in the early Christian time and in the fight between Christian and Muslim dominance of the Mediterranean area. In more recent times, Malta holds a leading role as a military base and international front.
TOWNS
LA VALLETTA
La Valletta is the capital of Malta, known in Maltese as Il-Belt (The City). The name Valletta refers traditionally to the inner fortified citadel, founded by Jean Parisot de la Valette, a French noble who at the time was Grand Master of the Order of Hospitallers and had saved the city from the Ottomans invasion. The city's original name was Humilissima Civitas Valletta, but the Italians soon nicknamed it the Superbissima because of its rich Baroque palaces, gardens and churches. These were mainly designed by the architect Francesco Laparelli, who transformed the irregular and winding streets of the medieval town into a rectangular grid plan. The history of the city is strictly connected to that of the island; architecture came to a standstill when the Knights of Malta left, but many town-planning projects resumed under British rule. Doors, houses and civil buildings began to be designed again. However, air raids throughout the Second World War destroyed a great part of the city, but luckily a lot of buildings with great artistic interest still remain. Amongst these are the Grand Master’s Palace, today home of the House of Representatives and St John’s Cathedral with its lavish interior, richly decorated chapels and splendid marble floor which reveal the wealth of the Order of the Knights of Malta. In a beautiful sunny day it is highly recommended to visit the Barraka Gardens which offer an amazing and unique view on the Grand Harbour. Fort Saint Elmo was built by the Knights in 1551 on the extreme point of the northern coast and had an important defensive role during the Turkish siege of Malta in 1565. Another part of the Maltese elaborate defense system is St. James Cavalier fortress which houses the Embassy of St. John’s Knights, considered a Sovereign Order by several nations.
COTTONERA
Cottonera is composed by the three historic towns of Senglea, Vittoriosa (Birgu) and Bormla (Cospicua). These have formed one aggregation since the 16th century and are characterized by architectural structures typical of the Roman period and of the Anglo-Saxon domination. Also known as the “Three Cities”, they are located at a short distance from one other and on the opposite side of the Valletta bay. They originate from a Phoenician – Carthaginian settlement and a Greek military post. Vittoriosa was the main Maltese harbour; it was chosen by the Knights, who had received control over the island by the Pope, to defend the ancient buildings and the “Auberge” – residencies of the Knights' different linguistic groups. The name Vittoriosa was given to the town of Birgù to celebrate the victory in 1565 over the besieging Turks, a victory which was essential for the control over the Mediterranean sea from that moment on. Senglea became an important industrial town under British domination in the 19th century; for this reason the three towns were heavily bombarded during the second World War. This was one of the most devastated areas by the war, with countless damage to the archeological sites. Consequently, the industrial estates have been moved to other areas and Cottonera has been spared from the wild and uncontrolled development of tourist industry, thus maintaining its original appearance. Among the places to visit, Fort St Angelo is certainly one of Malta most precious gems. Built on a previous Roman construction, it was strategic for the defence of the island during the Turk siege. The fort was then used until 1979 by the British Army. Although there has been an attempt to transform the fort into a hotel with a roof swimming pool, it is still worth a visit. This will make you discover the charm of the old original remains, left untouched around the restored areas. One of the most beautiful and panoramic spots for swimming is close to the Fort St. Angelo. You can reach it by walking from the fort and along the peninsula coast; you then take a small path that leads to the charming bay underneath.
SLIEMA
Sliema is a urban centre north of La Valletta, full of shops and shopping malls. With St Julians, it forms one town on two adjacent peninsulas. In the time of Muslim attacks, it was known as Sliem Ghalik Marija which are credited to be the ancient Maltese words pronounced by the Virgin Mary to the Angel. Sliema had its maximum development in the 18th and 19th century under the British dominion, when the churches of Stella Marise and St Helena were built. Houses in Sliema are in Victorian style and art nouveau.
MDINA
Mdina is a small old town in the hinterland of Malta, with the traditional features of the artistic and architectonic history of the Norman Sicilian period. Its origin dates back to Roman time, when it was distinguished from the near town of Rabat by its Arabic name, meaning “fortified town”. However, the origin of Mdina may be found in the Phoenician period. It was capital of the island until the coming of the Knights who placed there their aristocracy, local government and University. Today Mdina is the seat of the archbishop’s palace and its cathedral is considered more important than St John’s Cathedral in La Valletta. A legend narrates that during the Turkish Siege, when Mdina had little defense as military resources were all concentrated in Birgu, a nun had a vision which suggested to organize a big procession along all the town streets. This gave the impression that the town was full of soldiers and so it was not sacked. However, that was the beginning of the political decadence of the “eminent town”, where today it is possible to visit splendid aristocratic palaces in a relaxed atmosphere. St Paul's Cathedral has a Norman style but has been damaged by an earthquake in 1693. Its floor is completely paved with the marble graves of Maltese aristocracy members while its big fresco represents one of the most important events in Maltese history: the sinking of St John’s boat in St Paul's bay. The two clocks tell two different times, one shows the hour while the other shows the date; according to a legend this is meant to confuse the devil.
BUGIBBA
Bugibba is a coastal town of Malta located in St Paul's bay about 10 km from La Valletta. It integrates architectonic features of the traditional Maltese housing with the new buildings, mainly belonging to tourist resorts. The town has been significantly changed by mass tourism and has lost much of its traditional architecture, replaced by holiday apartments, hotels and buildings with little urban design. St Paul's bay, with its beautiful spots, is close by and has a more local tourism and therefore a more relaxed atmosphere. The Megalithic Temple in the town centre is also amazing, despite the adjacent casino. There are plenty of places to stay in Bugibba for those who want to learn English in Malta.
ST. JULIAN'S
St Giljan lies on the east coast of Malta, in the middle of the island. Better known as St Julian's, it is located inside the urban conglomerate in the north of the capital. It is named after its patron St Julian, to whom a Roman church is dedicated. The town is a perfect place for the night life, especially in the area of Paceville where all entertainments are concentrated. Before the 19th century, where the town of St Julian's currently is there was very little else than Spinola Palace, some fishermen’s houses and the old church. This was because of the the numerous Muslim attacks on the southern part of the island which had left some areas underdeveloped. The Spinosa Palace is the first local community’s attempt to reclaim its strategic and social importance for the island. It was built with its gardens in 1688 by Fra Paola Raffaele Spinosa for public entertainment, as it is written on an inscription on the porch, and was occupied by the French army during their siege in 1798. Around St Julian there are several popular beaches, such as Bahar Ic Caghaq and Paceville, which attract tourists with their popular blue waters and clubs. You can also learn English in St Julian's, attending one of the many language schools there.
ST. PAUL'S BAY
St. Paul’s Bay, situated in the north east of the island and 16 km away from La Valletta, is mainly characterized by local tourism, a relaxed atmosphere and a beautiful landscape. The Megalithic Temple in the town centre is also marvellous, despite the nearby casino.The name stems from the tradition which narrates that St Paul was shipwrecked on that beach during his journey from Cesarea to Rome. From this episode in the island's history lies the start of Malta's conversion to Christianity. St.Paul's Bay has normally a population of about 15.000 people, number which increases to 60,000 in summer time as the place is the island's most popular tourist destination.
CUISINE
It is not expensive to relax and enjoy many delicious dishes and drinks typical of the Maltese archipelago. Menus offer a wide range of food, choosing from Maltese food or traditional Italian, French and English dishes. You can easily find restaurants which serve every day rabbit or fresh fish. Menus are written in English but dishes are often called with the traditional Maltese names. Malta's history and geographical position have greatly influenced its cuisine. Many basic ingredients were not available on the island and needed to be imported, therefore the typical Maltese dishes have become an interesting fusion between different tastes and variations, with spices and other flavours arriving from Sicily, Middle East and Europe. The Knights of Malta also imported food from the New Continent; it is believed that Malta was the first place where chocolate was eaten. The British introduced many of their eating habits as well as sauces and seasonings, such as mustard, Worchestershire sauce and others. The Aljotta soup is one of the dishes imported by the Knights who were great lovers of French, Italian and Spanish cuisine. It is a fish soup with lots of garlic, herbs and tomatoes easily found in many Mediterranean places. It is obvious the Sicilian origin of the Kapunata and Kannoliè, while the Tagèn is clearly inspired to the Maghrebin Tajiin, even if the plate used in Malta is metal. Other typical Maltese dishes include: Accola fish, Awwija (lobster), Cerna, Clamar, Qarnita (octopus), Tamar (mussels), Tunnagg (tuna), Lampuki (hake), Bragioli meat, Fenek biz-zalza (rabbit steak), Tal Fenek (rabbit flan), Gbejina ( fresh sheep cheese served with paprika- a Gozo speciality), Hobz ( the Maltese bread soft in the middle and crunchy at the border, ideal wwith the cheeses produced on the island). The national beverage is Zinnie, a fizzy drink made with orange juice and Martini. The local beer is the Cisk, slightly sweeter than usual European beer. Malta also produces delicious wines made from typical Girgentina and Gellewza grapes: Marsovin and Delicata.
FUN IN MALTA
Malta is a place that attracts tourists for its history and its beautiful beaches. However, besides sun and sea, it also offers lots of fun and an exciting night life which has nothing to envy to that of Spain and Greek islands. Malta's night life is always ongoing, both in summer and in winter when lots of northern European tourists (especially girls) get to the island in search of some sun and fun. The majority of pubs and clubs are in Paceville / St Julian’s and Bugibba and have free entrance. The clubs are very close to each other, so there is no need for transport. Only the outdoor big discos are out of town but are reachable by public transport. These places host international djs and musical festivals. Malta offers entertainment at all levels so, if you want to enjoy a relaxed evening after the beach, you can choose one of the many fashionable wine bars in Valletta or try your fortune at the Portomaso casino. In Malta fun is always guaranteed!