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The Maltese Islands have often been
referred to as the island of sunshine and history and with good
reason. With a history boasting 6,000 years of civilisation, every
square inch of its land, its temples and monuments bear witness to
these past civilisations. For those of you with an appetite for
culture, Malta and Gozo are strewn with fascinating historical and
archaeological sites, some of which date back earlier than the
Pyramids!
Museum lovers will find a variety of treasures to discover.
Each museum houses fabulous artefacts from various fields and eras
be it art, archaeology, natural history, war time, the temples or
our celebrated maritime history. And more treasures can be found
in one of the 364 churches built on the island!
For those interested in old fortifications built at the time of
the Knights of St. John, military and historical parades are
regularly staged to allow visitors to be swept back in time and if
you really wish to fully understand Malta's history, then visit
one of the multi-vision shows which encapsulate Maltese history
from its very beginnings to modern day.
No visitor has ever been to Malta and left without visiting her
sister islands, Gozo and Comino. Gozo, aptly termed as the island
where time stands still because of the tranquillity it exudes, is
greener than Malta and more rural allowing for sweeping views of
terraced fields, glimmering shorelines, and imposing churches.
Comino, a mile long and uninhabited, is a veritable paradise with
a lagoon bluer than turquoise.
Valletta, the Fortress City, "a city built by gentlemen for
gentlemen", has many titles, all recalling its rich historical
past. It is the "modern" city built by the Knights of St John; a
masterpiece of the baroque; a European Art City; and a World
Heritage City. But these are just some of its faces and fortunes.
Valletta is also Malta's capital city: a living, working city,
the administrative and commercial heart of the Islands. Nowhere in
Malta is the life of the Islands reflected more than here. The
city is busy by day, yet retains a timeless atmosphere. The grid
of narrow streets house some of Europe's finest art works,
churches and palaces and one of the oldest theatres in Europe, the
Manoel Theatre.
Valletta hosts a vast cultural programme. Street events are
staged against the city's magnificent baroque architecture and
floodlit bastions. There is theatre and music and all manner of
things to see and join in, from avant garde art to traditional
church festas. The city is a delight to shop in: narrow side
streets are full of tiny shops selling antiques, maps, books,
prints and jewellery.
Walking around Valletta, you'll come across an intriguing
historical site around every corner: votive statues, niches,
fountains and coats of arms high up on parapets. And when you need
to stop and take it all in, the city yields up squares,
courtyards, gardens and any number of cafés, right on cue.
Diving is a very popular sport in Malta and for those of you
who are passionate about this sport, Malta offers many attractions
and spectacular diving sites. Contact Subway Diving School for any
queries about diving in Malta.
And for those who wish to take it easier, simply stroll around
our charming towns and villages and enjoy the uniqueness and
tranquillity that is so very typical of the Islands. |
