Malta is an independent island nation in the Mediterranean. The country has an area of about 316 square kilometers. It consists of the following regions: Malta, Gozo, Comino and some islands that are not inhabited as well. The island state is a popular destination in Europe and famous for its a lot of temples, prehistoric archaeological sites, caves and plenty festivals, which are held in honor of the patron saint of Malta.
The capital of Malta is Valletta with about 10000 inhabitants, also the smallest EU capital. It is situated in the north and is surrounded by a ring of bastions, which served the city for defense. A visit to the city is an absolute must. The old fortress tower over the city was built by the Knights of St John who planned the city as a refuge to take care of injured soldiers and pilgrims during the Crusades in the fifteen hundreds.
After the successful battle against the Ottomans in 1565 the fortress walls formed the foundation for a fully designed city. Even today, Valletta has lost none of its former charm. Holidaymakers can have a kilometer long city walk completely as it is just one kilometer long and 500 feet wide. But these numbers do not diminish the attractiveness of Valletta. On the contrary tourists can fully discover Valletta by walking and not get lost. Cars must remain mainly outside.
Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage and is popular for its historic cafés, restaurants, banks, hotels and government buildings.
Mostly Valletta is separated by the Grand Harbour and the Marsamxett Harbour from its neighboring cities. Through the gate of the city which was built in the 1960s, you step inside the venerable knight city. The backbone of Valletta, Republic Street starts from here right down to the tip of the peninsula. Valletta’s most notable places can be found here, like the Grand Master’s Palace and as well as the St. John’s Co-Cathedral, fancy shops and some of the few outdoor cafes in the city. Side streets lead down to the two ports. Each visit Valletta is not complete without a glimpse of the walls and bastions at the two ports – and without a harbor tour. You can take it from the city of Sliema with tour boats or from the Valletta Waterfront with traditional boat taxis. If you go on the walls seen from the water, you can appreciate the valor and the astonishing construction work of the people. You should remember that Valletta was bombed in World War II and was later rebuilt.
Valletta’s story does not only come to life in museums, but as well in the St. John’s Co-Cathedral. Even anyone who is not a fan of churches should not miss this sacred place. It is a work of art that nobody would suspect outside the walls of Rome. The Cathedral is a showcase to Mattia Preti who intricately carved stone wall designs, as well as the painted vaulted ceiling and side altars with pieces from the life of St John. Among the treasures found in the Cathedral are the unique Caravaggio painting that depicts the beheading of St John, the extraordinary paving of some 300 marble tomb slabs of many European and the Grand Masters of Malta.
Not far from the cathedral lies Villa Casa Rocca Piccola. The ninth Marquis de Piro lives here whose family has owned the house for generations. The 400 year old building is situated in Republic Street and it is a treasure chest of the city. Because the Marquis does not use all 50 rooms, tourists can visit many of them.
Also in Republic Street the Archaeological Museum displays the oldest findings. The Museum displays an exceptional array of artifacts from Malta’s unique prehistoric periods , starting with the first arrival of man in the Ghar Dalam phase (5200 BC) and running up to the Tarxien phase (2500 BC). The collection is displays in the Auberge de Provence, one of the first buildings to be erected after the Great Siege in the late 16th century.
Malta and its capital, Valletta is unique. The Maltese have their culture with and without tourists. The small country is young and has recently become a member of the European Union. This makes traveling simple: no passport, no money exchanged, just fly away within Europe. This applies to the country all year long: there is no hibernation at winter time. Malta accommodation, restaurants and clubs are open all year round.
This applies to Valletta accommodation as well. All the hotels and private accommodation facilities have European standards and affordable prices.
Malta is an island that offers programmes for everyone, whether you are young or old, be it sports on the many golf courses, beach holiday on the beach or hiking on the trail of the past. A holiday to Malta is worth visiting in any case.
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