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Valletta's magnificent medieval cathedral is famous
for the painting by Caravaggio, which hangs in its oratory, and the
369 inlaid mosaic marble tombstones that cover its floor. Each
tombstone depicts the lives of the Grand Masters of the Order of St
John, buried beneath. The façade is rather severe and militaristic,
but inside the cathedral is lavishly splendid in the grandest
tradition of high Baroque, with every inch of wall covered by
carving, while the vaulted ceiling sports paintings depicting the
life of St John the Baptist, patron saint of the
Knights. see full details
St John's Co-Cathedral
Valletta's magnificent medieval cathedral is famous
for the painting by Caravaggio, which hangs in its oratory, and the
369 inlaid mosaic marble tombstones that cover its floor. Each
tombstone depicts the lives of the Grand Masters of the Order of St
John, buried beneath. The façade is rather severe and militaristic,
but inside the cathedral is lavishly splendid in the grandest
tradition of high Baroque, with every inch of wall covered by
carving, while the vaulted ceiling sports paintings depicting the
life of St John the Baptist, patron saint of the
Knights. see full details
Top
The Grandmaster's Palace, built around 1571, today
serves as the office of the President and seat of the Maltese
Parliament. The palace is a treasure house of art, from the unique
collection of Gobelin Tapestries to frescoes depicting the Great
Siege of 1565 by Perez d'Aleccio that cover the walls of the Halls
of St Michael and St George. Visitors can also view the armoury and
state apartments, which are adorned with friezes describing the
history of the Order of St John. see full details
Palace of the Grandmaster
The Grandmaster's Palace, built around 1571, today
serves as the office of the President and seat of the Maltese
Parliament. The palace is a treasure house of art, from the unique
collection of Gobelin Tapestries to frescoes depicting the Great
Siege of 1565 by Perez d'Aleccio that cover the walls of the Halls
of St Michael and St George. Visitors can also view the armoury and
state apartments, which are adorned with friezes describing the
history of the Order of St John. see full details
Top
The archaeological museum on Republic Street is housed
in one of the inns of the Knights of St John, the Auberge de
Provence. The museum's focus on Malta's prehistory includes
displays such as the reconstruction of prehistoric remains found at
Hypogeum. Items such as pottery, sculptures, statuettes, stone
implements and jewellery from the prehistoric, megalithic and
temple-building periods are featured, as well as some Punic and
Roman tomb furniture. All the exhibits were found on excavations
across the Maltese islands. see full details
National Museum of Archaeology
The archaeological museum on Republic Street is housed
in one of the inns of the Knights of St John, the Auberge de
Provence. The museum's focus on Malta's prehistory includes
displays such as the reconstruction of prehistoric remains found at
Hypogeum. Items such as pottery, sculptures, statuettes, stone
implements and jewellery from the prehistoric, megalithic and
temple-building periods are featured, as well as some Punic and
Roman tomb furniture. All the exhibits were found on excavations
across the Maltese islands. see full details
Top
Valletta suffered a great deal of damage during
bombing raids in the Second World War. The Battle of Malta and
other events involving the islands during the early years of the
war are featured in a series of 17th century tunnels, which were
turned into a military operations complex during the war. The
complex has been restored and now acts as a museum, with displays
including charts, models and dioramas. see full details
Lascaris War Rooms
Valletta suffered a great deal of damage during
bombing raids in the Second World War. The Battle of Malta and
other events involving the islands during the early years of the
war are featured in a series of 17th century tunnels, which were
turned into a military operations complex during the war. The
complex has been restored and now acts as a museum, with displays
including charts, models and dioramas. see full details
Top
A dramatic presentation that illustrates the history
of Malta, from Neolithic to modern times, can be enjoyed at the
Mediterranean Conference Centre at St. Elmo's bastion in Valletta.
This building itself has been impressively restored, having been
built by the Knights in the 1500s as a hospital. The wards, which
are great sweeping halls with vaulted ceilings and marble floors,
now serve as exhibition areas. A modern theatre has been added
where the Malta Experience audio-visual show is offered in 10
languages. see full details
Malta Experience
A dramatic presentation that illustrates the history
of Malta, from Neolithic to modern times, can be enjoyed at the
Mediterranean Conference Centre at St. Elmo's bastion in Valletta.
This building itself has been impressively restored, having been
built by the Knights in the 1500s as a hospital. The wards, which
are great sweeping halls with vaulted ceilings and marble floors,
now serve as exhibition areas. A modern theatre has been added
where the Malta Experience audio-visual show is offered in 10
languages. see full details
Top
Mdina, known as the noble city, was the original
capital of Malta before the arrival of the Knights of St John in
the middle ages. It was originally a Phoenician town but spent
periods under Roman, Arabic and Norman occupation. The elegant
walled city, with its suburb, Rabat, can trace its origins back
more than 4,000 years, although today all that remains is the
medieval town, which has been largely restored. It is situated on a
rocky outcrop about nine miles (15km) west of Valletta. At the
heart of Mdina is its landmark Baroque Cathedral of St Paul. Mdina
has a conservative atmosphere, in keeping with its noble past.
While the Knights reigned over Malta the city became the home of
the Maltese nobility, who lived there under autonomous rule, not
being deemed worthy to be invited to join the Order of St John. The
descendants of some of these families live here still. Mdina and
Rabat not only offer some fascinating and valuable sightseeing
opportunities, but the old city is particularly inviting at night
when it is lamplit and visitors can enjoy the ambience of
restaurants tucked away in its bastions and palace courtyards.
Motor vehicles are off-limits inside the city walls, and
pedestrians have free reign to walk the streets and take in a
glimpse of life in the middle ages. see full details
Mdina
Mdina, known as the noble city, was the original
capital of Malta before the arrival of the Knights of St John in
the middle ages. It was originally a Phoenician town but spent
periods under Roman, Arabic and Norman occupation. The elegant
walled city, with its suburb, Rabat, can trace its origins back
more than 4,000 years, although today all that remains is the
medieval town, which has been largely restored. It is situated on a
rocky outcrop about nine miles (15km) west of Valletta. At the
heart of Mdina is its landmark Baroque Cathedral of St Paul. Mdina
has a conservative atmosphere, in keeping with its noble past.
While the Knights reigned over Malta the city became the home of
the Maltese nobility, who lived there under autonomous rule, not
being deemed worthy to be invited to join the Order of St John. The
descendants of some of these families live here still. Mdina and
Rabat not only offer some fascinating and valuable sightseeing
opportunities, but the old city is particularly inviting at night
when it is lamplit and visitors can enjoy the ambience of
restaurants tucked away in its bastions and palace courtyards.
Motor vehicles are off-limits inside the city walls, and
pedestrians have free reign to walk the streets and take in a
glimpse of life in the middle ages. see full details
Top
Malta's main maritime towns have merged into a
fortified conglomerate known as the Three Cities, resting on the
promontories opposite Valletta. Walking tours of the area are
popular. Vittoriosa is the oldest town in Malta after Mdina. It
features plenty of historical architecture, including several of
the Inns of the Knights of St John, as well as a hospital built by
the Order in 1672, which is still a Benedictine convent inhabited
by devout nuns. Fort St Angelo, the oldest fortified part of
Vittoriosa dating from 1274, stands at the tip of the promontory,
and the Museum of Maritime History is also well worth a visit. The
youngest of the Three Cities, Cospicua, dates from 1717 and
features some interesting churches, while Senglea, designed by
Grandmaster De La Sengle in 1551, is an important place of
pilgrimage. Senglea's parish church contains a statue of Christ the
Redeemer that is said to have miraculous powers. see full details
Three Cities
Malta's main maritime towns have merged into a
fortified conglomerate known as the Three Cities, resting on the
promontories opposite Valletta. Walking tours of the area are
popular. Vittoriosa is the oldest town in Malta after Mdina. It
features plenty of historical architecture, including several of
the Inns of the Knights of St John, as well as a hospital built by
the Order in 1672, which is still a Benedictine convent inhabited
by devout nuns. Fort St Angelo, the oldest fortified part of
Vittoriosa dating from 1274, stands at the tip of the promontory,
and the Museum of Maritime History is also well worth a visit. The
youngest of the Three Cities, Cospicua, dates from 1717 and
features some interesting churches, while Senglea, designed by
Grandmaster De La Sengle in 1551, is an important place of
pilgrimage. Senglea's parish church contains a statue of Christ the
Redeemer that is said to have miraculous powers. see full details
Top
The Hypogeum, just southwest of the Three Cities in
the suburb of Paolo, is a labyrinthine complex of man-made chambers
hewn out of limestone, extending about 36ft (11m) below the
surface. Experts believe it was used as a burial site and temple by
Neolithic man, who used antlers and stone picks to carve out the
labyrinth in semi-darkness nearly 5,000 years ago. The site has
been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Archaeologists have
recovered numerous statues, amulets, figurines and vases, many of
which are on display in the Archaeology Museum in
Valletta. see full details
Hal Saflieni Hypogeum
The Hypogeum, just southwest of the Three Cities in
the suburb of Paolo, is a labyrinthine complex of man-made chambers
hewn out of limestone, extending about 36ft (11m) below the
surface. Experts believe it was used as a burial site and temple by
Neolithic man, who used antlers and stone picks to carve out the
labyrinth in semi-darkness nearly 5,000 years ago. The site has
been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Archaeologists have
recovered numerous statues, amulets, figurines and vases, many of
which are on display in the Archaeology Museum in
Valletta. see full details
Top
The centre of every Maltese town and village is
occupied by a beautiful church. One of the largest in Europe is St
Mary's in the central Maltese town of Mosta, with its glorious
blue, gold and white dome. The church is regarded as having been
the site of a World War II miracle: in 1942 while 300 people were
praying in the church a bomb penetrated the dome and landed on the
mosaic floor, but did not explode. A replica of the bomb is today
displayed in the church sacristy. see full details
St Mary's Church
The centre of every Maltese town and village is
occupied by a beautiful church. One of the largest in Europe is St
Mary's in the central Maltese town of Mosta, with its glorious
blue, gold and white dome. The church is regarded as having been
the site of a World War II miracle: in 1942 while 300 people were
praying in the church a bomb penetrated the dome and landed on the
mosaic floor, but did not explode. A replica of the bomb is today
displayed in the church sacristy. see full details
Top
The prehistoric temple complex discovered in 1839 at
Hagar Qim in western Malta dates from about 3,800 BC, and has the
oldest known human structures in the world. The Hagar Qim and
nearby Mnajdra ruins are close to the village of Qrendi, about nine
miles (15km) southwest of Valletta. The megalithic temple complex
carved from giant limestone slabs is adorned with carved animals
and idols, sacrificial altars and oracular chambers, all fashioned
with flint and obsidian tools. The largest megalith is 23ft (7m)
high and weighs about 20 tons. Many of the relics recovered from
the site, including the famous 'fat lady' statues, are on display
in the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. see full details
Hagar Qim
The prehistoric temple complex discovered in 1839 at
Hagar Qim in western Malta dates from about 3,800 BC, and has the
oldest known human structures in the world. The Hagar Qim and
nearby Mnajdra ruins are close to the village of Qrendi, about nine
miles (15km) southwest of Valletta. The megalithic temple complex
carved from giant limestone slabs is adorned with carved animals
and idols, sacrificial altars and oracular chambers, all fashioned
with flint and obsidian tools. The largest megalith is 23ft (7m)
high and weighs about 20 tons. Many of the relics recovered from
the site, including the famous 'fat lady' statues, are on display
in the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. see full details
Top
A good place to begin exploring Gozo is at the Museum
of Archaeology, found just inside the walls of the Citadel in
Victoria behind the Old Gate, in a 17th century building that was
originally the Town Hall. The museum illustrates the cultural
history of Gozo from prehistoric times to the early modern era,
presented chronologically from the Neolithic and Temple Period
onwards through the Phoenician, Roman, Medieval and Knights of St
John periods. see full details
Museum of Archaeology
A good place to begin exploring Gozo is at the Museum
of Archaeology, found just inside the walls of the Citadel in
Victoria behind the Old Gate, in a 17th century building that was
originally the Town Hall. The museum illustrates the cultural
history of Gozo from prehistoric times to the early modern era,
presented chronologically from the Neolithic and Temple Period
onwards through the Phoenician, Roman, Medieval and Knights of St
John periods. see full details
Top
Two massive megaliths were carved into temples by the
pre-Phoenician Gozitans somewhere between 4,100 and 2,500 BC, and
now stand on the island as mysterious monuments to a bygone age.
Legend has it that they were transported to the island by a
giantess called Sansuna, hence the name of the site, Ggantija,
which means 'giant'. Large stone balls in the area, however, have
led archaeologists to conclude that the massive blocks were rolled
into place atop these. The two temples have a common façade but
each has a separate entrance; one is larger than the other. It is
believed both originally had roofing made of wooden beams, and that
sacrifices of animals were made in the temples during rituals. The
temples, along with other similar temples on the main island of
Malta, have been documented as the oldest free standing structures
in the world. see full details
Ggantija Temples
Two massive megaliths were carved into temples by the
pre-Phoenician Gozitans somewhere between 4,100 and 2,500 BC, and
now stand on the island as mysterious monuments to a bygone age.
Legend has it that they were transported to the island by a
giantess called Sansuna, hence the name of the site, Ggantija,
which means 'giant'. Large stone balls in the area, however, have
led archaeologists to conclude that the massive blocks were rolled
into place atop these. The two temples have a common façade but
each has a separate entrance; one is larger than the other. It is
believed both originally had roofing made of wooden beams, and that
sacrifices of animals were made in the temples during rituals. The
temples, along with other similar temples on the main island of
Malta, have been documented as the oldest free standing structures
in the world. see full details
Top
The alabaster caves at Xaghra feature stalactites and
stalagmites, and have an important place in Greek mythology,
particularly the Calypso Cave, overlooking the red sand of Gozo's
best beach, Ramla Ihamra. Calypso cave is believed to be the one
referred to in Homer's Odyssey as being where the beautiful nymph
Calypso kept Odysseus as a 'prisoner of love' for seven years. Two
other caves at Xaghra are Xerri's Grotto and Ninu's Grotto, both
more impressive than Calypso, but lacking the love story. Below
Calypso Cave are the remains of a fortification built by the
Knights of St John as a defence bastion. see full details
Caves of Xaghra
The alabaster caves at Xaghra feature stalactites and
stalagmites, and have an important place in Greek mythology,
particularly the Calypso Cave, overlooking the red sand of Gozo's
best beach, Ramla Ihamra. Calypso cave is believed to be the one
referred to in Homer's Odyssey as being where the beautiful nymph
Calypso kept Odysseus as a 'prisoner of love' for seven years. Two
other caves at Xaghra are Xerri's Grotto and Ninu's Grotto, both
more impressive than Calypso, but lacking the love story. Below
Calypso Cave are the remains of a fortification built by the
Knights of St John as a defence bastion. see full details
Top
Dwejra, with its secluded pebbled bathing pool and
crystal clear water, is known as the 'inland sea' and provides the
enjoyable experience of diving into the 'blue hole' near the Azure
Window. It is an area with strange rock formations causing
interesting swimming holes. It's most famous rock is Fungus Rock,
which was apparently heavily guarded during the era of the Knights
of Malta because a special plant with healing properties grew upon
it, and stealing the plant was liable to earn the thief the death
penalty. see full details
Dwejra
Dwejra, with its secluded pebbled bathing pool and
crystal clear water, is known as the 'inland sea' and provides the
enjoyable experience of diving into the 'blue hole' near the Azure
Window. It is an area with strange rock formations causing
interesting swimming holes. It's most famous rock is Fungus Rock,
which was apparently heavily guarded during the era of the Knights
of Malta because a special plant with healing properties grew upon
it, and stealing the plant was liable to earn the thief the death
penalty. see full details
Top
The tiny fishing village of Marsalforn on the north
coast of Gozo has become the island's most popular summer resort.
It offers various spots for swimming and water sports, and is well
supplied with restaurants, bars and accommodation
establishments. see full details
Marsalforn
The tiny fishing village of Marsalforn on the north
coast of Gozo has become the island's most popular summer resort.
It offers various spots for swimming and water sports, and is well
supplied with restaurants, bars and accommodation
establishments. see full details
Top
Located in Valetta, the Toy Museum showcases three
floors of Maltese and international toys dating back to the 1950s,
including matchbox cars, planes, dolls, train sets and an
impressive Corgi car collection. see full details
Toy Museum
Located in Valetta, the Toy Museum showcases three
floors of Maltese and international toys dating back to the 1950s,
including matchbox cars, planes, dolls, train sets and an
impressive Corgi car collection. see full details
Top
The second largest Playmobil factory in the world is
located here in Malta and the Playmobil Funpark is a must for
children of all ages. Children can view the full range of Playmobil
and run around in the play park. Tours of the factory are also
available. There are both indoor and outdoor play areas so it's a
great option for those rainy days. see full details
Playmobil Funpark
The second largest Playmobil factory in the world is
located here in Malta and the Playmobil Funpark is a must for
children of all ages. Children can view the full range of Playmobil
and run around in the play park. Tours of the factory are also
available. There are both indoor and outdoor play areas so it's a
great option for those rainy days. see full details
Top
The Splash & Fun Park is a great place to take the
kids on a warm summers day where they can swim and ride the water
slides to their heart's content. There is also a large whirlpool
where adults can relax and unwind while the kids get rid of their
energy on rides such as the Black Hole, Super Bowl, Side Winder,
Hippo Slide and Children's Splash Land. see full details
Splash & Fun Park
The Splash & Fun Park is a great place to take the
kids on a warm summers day where they can swim and ride the water
slides to their heart's content. There is also a large whirlpool
where adults can relax and unwind while the kids get rid of their
energy on rides such as the Black Hole, Super Bowl, Side Winder,
Hippo Slide and Children's Splash Land. see full details
Top
Also known as Sweethaven, Popeye Village is the actual
set that was used for the 1980s musical of Popeye that starred
Robin Williams. Children can wander round the authentic wooden
buildings such as the bakery, pot office and school house. During
the summer months, visitors to Popeye Village can enjoy a boat ride
or even water trampolines and meet their favourite cartoon
characters. see full details
Popeye Village
Also known as Sweethaven, Popeye Village is the actual
set that was used for the 1980s musical of Popeye that starred
Robin Williams. Children can wander round the authentic wooden
buildings such as the bakery, pot office and school house. During
the summer months, visitors to Popeye Village can enjoy a boat ride
or even water trampolines and meet their favourite cartoon
characters. see full details
Top
At the Mediterraneo Marine Park, children will be able
to enjoy learning about marine animals by watching Black Sea
Dolphin shows and the exciting and entertaining show by South
American Sea Lions. Parrots and Iguana are also on display here.
There is even a 'swimming with the dolphins' programme available
for those wanting to get a little closer. see full details
Mediterraneo Marine Park
At the Mediterraneo Marine Park, children will be able
to enjoy learning about marine animals by watching Black Sea
Dolphin shows and the exciting and entertaining show by South
American Sea Lions. Parrots and Iguana are also on display here.
There is even a 'swimming with the dolphins' programme available
for those wanting to get a little closer. see full details
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