Magnificient MALTA

Malta is an island country comprising of an archipelago of seven island in the mediterranean sea. We were on a cruise on Equinox Celebrity and Malta was one of the halt on the itinerary. It is surrounded by Sicily (Italy) Libya and Tunisia .The country is one of the smallest countries covering only 316 sq.km. Malta with its warm climate is a popular tourist resort as it boasts of number of recreational,historical and architectural monuments. Valletta is the capital of Malta. 

The islands were first reported to have been populated by the stone age hunters and farmers around 5200 BC. They were the Sicani tribes from Sicily .Valetta is the capital of Malta. It is also known as the Fortress city, or city by gentlemen for gentlemen. It has narrow streets, shown above,fabulous palaces ,beautiful churches and lot of history.

In 1798 when Malta was a British territory, Napolean invaded the country. Horatio Nelson beseiged Valletta and compelled the withdrawal French Forces in 1799. Malta became a free nation on 21 Sept.1964.

Named after Jean Parisot de la Valetta, Grand master of the order of St. John, the city grew on the arid rock of Mount Sceberras . It was built between 1566-1581.It has most concentrated historic areas in the world garnished with Baroque architecture,finest art works,grand churches and palaces and majestic monuments like the one above.

Shown above is the Birkirkara elevator which brings down to the lower road near the harbour. It is a super speed elevator and one has to pay 1 Euro per person.Birkirkara is one of the oldest and heavily populated town in Malta .It has a beautiful Church called the Helen Basilica built around 1727. It has the largest bell which was installed in 1932

There were couple of Indian owned shops in Valletta. The other was Ramachand which was little away from the shop shown above. There was one more in the vicinity. It appears that people from Sindhi community have come here as traders.

This is the entry to Mdina.Mdina traces back more than 4000 years Mdina had different names and titles depending on its rulers and its role.It is an ancient walled city known for its medieval and baroque architecture.It was called Maleth but the Arabs who conquered it about 1000 years ago named it as Medina(meaning fortified Palace).The Arabs built 19 fortified walls around it for the defense of the city.

This is Mosta Dome.It is one of the largest unsupported Dome in Europe and known for its blue gold and white interiros.There is a replica of a bomb inside near the alter signifying the original dome which landed here during World War 2 but remained unexploded.

 Upper Barraka Gardens Once the private gardens of the Italian Knights they offer a grand view of the Grand Harbour down below.Situated near the Castille Place the origin of the gardens goes back to 1661.It was opened for public in 1824.The paths of the Gardens are lined with busts,statues and plaques which trace the history of various personalities and events of Malta.

Malta has often been called the " Fortress Island" due to great mass of military architecture due to its strategic location with deep safe harbour.Below is the picture of Fort St.Angelo,the Fort which stands on the site of fortified Roman settlement.The Fort became the seat of the Grand Master of the Order and played a heroic role in 1565 when the Saracen armada laid a siege to it.In 1912 it was officially listed as a Ship first as HMS Egmont and then St.Angelo in 1933.Recently it was granted the Order of the Knights of St.John.

The Grand Harbour.

Malta sightseeing buses are with open top,hop on /off with audio commentary in 8 languages. One trip takes around  2 hours-45 minutes.

My daughter who meticulously planned the itinerary and recommended the places to be seen in Malta, Greece, Italy and Turkey. Her suggestions are valuable.