Malta
As soon as we landed I fell in love with this country. The anticipation of seeing everything was overwhelming. With an abundance of archeological and military significance, you'll discover that Malta holds several UNESCO World Heritage sites. Originally a naval base by the Order of the Knights, Malta also began to build several military forts throughout the island as a strategic gateway between the West and East. You probably don't hear much about the small country of Malta unless you've done research about the painter Caravaggio, who received his knighthood in Malta after killing a man in a bar fight in Italy. The island is picturesque and ideal for movie locations such as The Count of Monte Cristo and Game of Thrones. Malta is a frequent stop by many cruise ships. We arrived in Valletta by way of the Norwegian Jade and tried to fit the most important sightseeing into one day. There is so much to see, that we went back to Malta six months later on the Norwegian Gem. Describing our top activities, I'll start with one of the most famous paintings by Caravaggio. |
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Caravaggio
Caravaggio was born in 1571 in Milan, Italy and passed away at an early of 38. Caravaggio began painting before he was 20 years old. He was known to have a violent and tumultuously life. In fact, his fighting led him to flee to Naples after killing a man. He continued to travel to Malta, where he also served as a knight, seeking a pardon for his crime. Eventually he died at 38 years old after a violent incident that resulted in his face being disfigured. There are rumors that he died from lead poisoning and back in those days, lead was in the paints that artists used. This could have contributed to his bizarre behavior. Fortunately, for our benefit, Caravaggio blessed this world with many beautiful and controversial paintings. His largest alterpiece painting, The Beheading of Saint John, hangs at St. John’s Co-Cathedral. The church is very strict and does not allow photography of this masterpiece. There are venues in other countries which do allow photographs of Caravaggio’s paintings, such as the Louvre in Paris, however nothing compares to the excitement of actually standing in front of this revered painting. |
Valletta
Valletta has been named the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Take a stroll through the picturesque avenues. Republic Street is the main pedestrian path filled with cafe's, shopping boutiques and village bars. At a central location, Valletta also puts you within walking distances to many restaurants and historical sites. The residents take pride in their neighborhoods. Below is a link to some of the residential doors throughout the city. Gallery of Beautiful Doors |
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Transport to Rabat
From Valletta, there are several buslines going to Rabat. The journey takes about 40 minutes. From Mdina, it is a short walk as soon as you exit the fortress walls. If you plan to visit the church, allow time to also see St. Paul's catacombs nearby! |
The Shipwreck in Rabat
Also known as the Church of St. Paul's Shipwreck, the Collegiate Church is located in Rabat, Malta. As told in the Book of Acts, in about 60A.D., a ship carrying about 275 men, including Paul, the Apostle, as a prisoner, shipwrecked off the coast of Malta. Legend amongst the community leads us all to believe that the shipwreck is on the site where the Collegiate Church stands now. However, a few years ago, a Los Angeles crime scene investigator, Bob Cornuke, completed extensive research and studied the ocean currents. He concluded that the shipwreck was most likely in the Bay of St. Thomas, supported by the fact that four Roman-era anchors were found about 90 feet deep in the 1960's. To satisfy your own curiosity, the anchors can be viewed in Valletta's Maritime Museum. |
St. Paul's Grotto
The Grotto where Paul the Apostle took refuge, bringing Christianity to the island. The islanders honored and respected him, not only because he was bitten by a snake and survived, but also because he cured a local dignitary of a severe illness. Pope John Paul visited the Grotto in 1990. |
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Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
Discovered in 1902 during construction, the Hypogeum is an interconnecting underground burial site situated on three levels dating back to 4000 B.C. Archeologists estimate that about 6,000 people have been buried there through the centuries. Breathing affects temperature and humidity. Because the Hypogeum is completely closed, the humidity prevents the stone walls from flaking. Due to preservation concerns, the site was closed between 1990 and 2000. There is a program in place now that allows 10 visitors per hour. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Hypogeum is the only prehistoric burial site open to the public, open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Tickets are often sold out several months in advance. Last minute tickets can be purchased for about 40 Euros each the day before at Fort St. Elmo (Valletta) and the Gozo Museum of Archaeology (Citadel, Gozo), if available. Due to the slippery walkways and low lighting, the site is inaccessible to wheelchairs and people with limited mobility. |
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Marsaxlokk
Fabulous Marsa Scirroco where the Phoenicians used the bay for anchorage for their ships, trading clothes, wood and wine as well as a strategic location during the Siege of Malta against the Ottoman Empire. The design of these colorful boats date back to 800 B.C. by the Phoenicians. Each boat is painted to reflect on the water with the famous osiris eyes at the front of the bow to ensure safe travels. The legend through out the region states that the osiris eyes protects from evil. |
Sunday Market in Marsaxlokk
If you're looking for a unique souvenir, try to stop at the open market. You'll find a well known fish market, hand made crafts, crochet purses, local pastries. Other sites to see are the church, Our Lady of Pompeii and St. Peters Pool nearby. You can reach Marsalokk from Valletta by way of Bus 85 from the bus terminal or Bus 119 from the airport, a 45 minute ride. |
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The Blue Grotto
Near the southern coast of Malta lies a system of six caves named the Blue Grotto. The system named after the Blue Grotto in Capri, Italy, is very popular. The caves can be reached by boat, but if the seas are too rough or you don’t have enough time, there is a viewing platform on the same road. The best time to visit is early in the morning until about noon where you’ll be able to catch those glimmering array of colors as they reflect from the waves crashing onto the cliffs. The boats travel daily for about 8 Euros each from 9:00 am until 4:30 pm, leaving from the harbor of Wied iż-Żurrieq and it takes about 25 minutes to reach the caves. Just head that way and follow the signs. |
Hagar Qim
Older than the pyramids of Giza and older than Stonehedge are the prehistoric limestone temples of Malta. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Hagar Qim is located near the southern coast of Malta. Malta was first populated around 5,500 B.C. according to the dating of pottery and bones throughout the island and all the temples, about 50, show a similar construction design with a central corridor, chambers and ending at an altar. Even though human bones were not located at any of temples of the island, the theory is that these ceremonial sites were used for sacrifices of animals and perhaps humans to the goddesses of fertility. Some of the best pottery excavated can be seen at the National Museum of Archeology. The two other major temples in Malta are Mnajdra and on the island of Gozo, Gjantija. 10 Euros also includes entry into The Mnajdra Temple and visitor center. |
Theory
What is interesting to note is that the use of the Hypogeum along with these temples ended about 2,500 B.C. Perhaps the Hypogeum was used as the burial sites from the sacrifices that took place at the various temples around the island? Maybe the human bones were moved to the Hypogeum for burial and the animal bones were left behind at the temples? |
TIP: Malta sightseeing is very affordable. Purchase tickets several months in advance for the Hypogeum. If you’re interested in seeing more temples, caves, salt pans or the Blue Lagoon, take a day trip to Gozo or Comino on a 30 minute ferry from Cirkewwa and include Popeye’s Village on the way there! You can take advantage of this website, Malta Info Guide, to assist you with planning activities. |