Places of Interest

With a history spanning some 7000 years (the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Moors, Normans, the Knights of St. John, the French and the British have all ruled Malta at one time) there is an abundance of historically important sites and monuments on the island, including archaeological sites that pre-date both the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. The Megalithic Temples in Malta and Gozo, which are the oldest freestanding stone structures in the world, and the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum are both inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as having special universal value.

The country’s capital, Valletta, also features on the UNESCO World Heritage List. With its spectacular streets full of stunning Baroque architecture Valletta is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, replete with museums, churches, galleries, shops, open-air markets and an atmosphere all its own. At its centre lies the remarkable St. John’s Co-Cathedral (its floors are lined with the marble-inlaid tombstones of the long-dead Knights) home to Caravaggio’s painting of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist. Plays, concerts and dance can be seen at the city’s Manoel Theatre, St. James Cavalier Centre for Creativity and the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

The old capital, Mdina, is another Baroque attraction. Much deserving of its name as Malta’s ‘silent city’, it quietly evokes a bygone era, especially in the evening when its cobbled streets are almost deserted. Like Malta itself, Mdina is small, making it instantly accessible and easily explored.

Other attractions on the Island include St. Paul’s catacombs in Rabat (underground Roman cemeteries), the World War II shelters, and the Forts of St. Elmo and St. Angelo.

Maltese museums offer the history lover an insight into the Island’s long and chequered existence. The Natural History Museum, the Museum of Archaeology, the Museum of Fine Arts, the War Museum, the Cathedral Museum and the Maritime Museum, together with the various churches and palaces grant a vivid insight into the myriad cultures that have impacted on Malta and the Maltese.

Away from Historical sites, Malta has a number of sights to be seen: from the breath-taking Azure Window in Gozo to the quaint little fishing villages mainly in the south. During the summer months the little rocky beaches abound with people and tourists alike bathing in the sparkling, clean, blue waters of the Mediterranean. One can also find a small number of sandy beaches but probably the best on the island of Gozo is at Ramla il Hamra and Mellieha Bay in Malta.

The arts and crafts centre in the centre of the Island, near the village of Attard, offers locally-made lace, pottery, filigree and glass products.

It is wonderful to take a closer look at the Island’s town and villages. A walk round the bastions in Valletta or a stroll down its streets right down to the Grand Harbour will leave you breathless with the splendour of its architecture and sculpture.
As the sun sets and turns the Maltese stone pink, sitting on Dingli Cliffs will leave you totally contented and at peace with yourself.