About to visit Malta? Whether you’re planning a vacation, or backpacking adventure, or you haven’t decided yet, this article will help you with your research on what to expect from this marvelous Mediterranean island. We will cover the island’s history, its three unique UNESCO sites, the best beaches, and last but not least, we’ll provide you with some curious info. Next stop, Malta!
The History of Malta
Before traveling anywhere, having a little knowledge of the past is always handy. Malta’s history is truly fascinating, as it was a strategically important archipelago located in the Mediterranean, marked by many different cultures and influences.
From ancient times, the archipelago was successively inhabited by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and Byzantines. Arabs overthrew the latter in A.D. 870, and although their long-gone presence is hardly noticeable in the architecture today, Arabic significantly influenced Maltese, one of the two official languages spoken on the island nowadays.
The rule of the Crusaders (the Knights of St. John) followed, which expelled the Muslims and implemented Christianity all over the island. Under the threat of the Ottoman Empire expansion, European Catholic monarchs poured large amounts of money into Malta, turning it into a tremendously wealthy fortified stronghold.
However, the Knights’s rule ended as Napoleon and later the British overtook the island. As a result, it was annexed as a British colony, a status it retained until 1964. In 2004, Malta joined the European Union, marking a significant chapter in its modern political evolution.
UNESCO World Heritage sites
In 1980, UNESCO declared world heritage 3 Maltese sites – the capital, Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, and the Megalithic ancient temples.
1. Valletta
The capital of Malta, Valletta, is located on the northeast coast of the island. It was built on a narrow peninsula surrounded by water from both sides, which historically prevented it from most of the potential damage. Though partly damaged during World War II, thanks to its position, the city preserved most of its monuments intact. In fact, its 320 monuments cover the city’s area of only 55 ha. No wonder Valletta was declared by UNESCO as being “one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world”.
The Cathedral of St John, the Palace of the Grand Master, the Auberge de Castile et Léon, and much more wait for you to explore. And no excuses. The capital serves as the location for the country’s only airport, so, you just step off the plane, and away you go!
Moreover, Valletta is a great place to travel to if you travel on a shoestring budget. As one of Europe’s smallest capital cities, you can explore its narrow streets on foot, without spending a buck on public transport. And you might even walk the same streets as Queen Elizabeth the II, who lived there while Prince Philip served there as a naval officer. Unfortunately, her place is not available to the public.
2. Ħal Saflieni hypogeum
The hypogeum is a 3-floor cemetery lying deep in the ground, connected by stairs. Located near the capital’s suburbs, Paolo, the archeologists discovered it by accident in 1902 and found pottery, human bones, personal ornaments, and decorative figurines inside, testifying the accomplishments of the Maltese Neolithic society. The hypogeum is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm, so if you’re a fan of history from the prehistoric times, you shouldn’t miss it.
3. Megalithic temples
If you want to travel back in time some more into the Neolithic era, several Maltese Megalithic temples await you. And as one of the world’s oldest freestanding constructions, they are truly remarkable.
Located on the Gozo Island, the Ġgantija Archaeological Park is a complex consisting of two temples. Similarly to the hypogeum, the two structures offer a preview of Neolithic society, dating back to 3600 and 3200 BC.
However, if you prefer to stay on the biggest of the islands, you can visit another ancient treasure, Ħaġar Qim. It is located at the top of a sea cliff, and hides the largest megalith on the island, weighing 57 tons. In its time, it is assumed to have been the place where animal sacrifices and religious rituals were performed.
Best beaches
If history is not really your cup of tea and you just want to slow down, Malta offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the world where you’ll feel like in a paradise.
Surrounded by ice cream stands and restaurants borrowing sunbeds and umbrellas, Ramla Bay is a great option for family vacations. But it’s more than just a nice Gozo beach. It might astonish you with its red-orange-colored sand caused by the high content of iron in the limestone. And that’s not the only curiosity. Nearby lies the Calypso’s Cave, believed to be the one where Odysseus was kept in The Oddysey myth. Just note you won’t get inside, since it was closed as a consequence of a potential collapse.
Similarly located on Gozo beach is Honodoq ir-Rummien. Partly filled with pebbles and partly sandy, this beach has earned the blue flag certification for its environmental quality and safety. The area is surrounded by untouched nature and rare plants, which, apart from swimming and snorkeling, makes it an ideal spot for scenic walks.
Another option is Blue Lagoon, located between the Comino and Cominotto islands. Ideal for snorkeling thanks to its crystal-clear azure water and with the possibility to explore the surrounding caves, you most certainly won’t regret hopping on a ferry or even booking the popular one-day tourist trip and soak up the sun at this beautiful beach.
Curiosities
In addition to its stunning historical sites and sandy beaches, some peculiarities set this magical European island apart from others. Did you know that Malta can be also described as an online gaming center? That’s because it’s home to the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) which regulates land-based and online casinos as well as betting offices worldwide.
Perhaps you didn’t know the majority of the Maltese population is trilingual. How is that possible? Well, Malta has two official languages – Maltese and English. And while a majority of people speak the two (97% claim English is their primary language), Italian is represented by 66% of the Maltese population. This is due to the island’s proximity to Italy and its long established cultural and educational exchange.
Another interesting fact is that Malta faces an alarming water problem. Although the Maltese have implemented some wise solutions to cope with the problem of the lack of underground water supplies (desalinating seawater, for instance), the threat of climate change complicates things, as the water reserve has been drying up faster and faster.
