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 MDINA - The Silent City
Mdina (also called L-Imdina or Cittā Notabile) is the old capital of Malta. It is a medieval town, with narrow quiet streets, situated in the centre of the island. It is also known as the "Silent City". It commands a magnificent view of the Island.
Evidence for settlement in Mdina goes back to over 4000 BCE. It was first fortified by the Phoenicians around 1000 BCE, probably because of its strategic location on one of the highest points on the island and as far from the sea as possible. When Malta came under control of the Roman Empire, the Roman Governor built his palace there. It was here in 60 CE that the Apostle St Paul is said to have lived after being shipwrecked on the Islands. The city earned its present day name from the Saracens who came to Malta around 870 CE. They surrounded the city with thick defensive walls and a wide moat, separating it from its nearest town, Rabat.
The Normans conquered Malta in 1091. A strong earthquake in 1693 destroyed a large number of buildings in Mdina. After the earthquake the Cathedral was rebuilt on the designs of the Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafa.
Today, no cars (other than those of a limited number of residents, emergency vehicles, wedding cars and hearses) are allowed in Mdina and there is a calming atmosphere as one walks along its narrow streets and ways. The city displays an unusual mix of Norman and Baroque architecture, including several palaces, most of which serve as private homes. The Cathedral is worth visiting and is fronted by a large square.
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VALLETTA - Malta's Capital city
Valletta is the capital city of Malta. The whole city was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
The official name the Order of Saint John gave to the city was Humilissima Civitas Valletta a city bound to humility. However, with the building of bastions, curtains and ravelins, along with the beauty of the baroque buildings along its streets, it became known as Superbissima 'Most Proud', amongst the ruling houses of Europe. In Maltese it is colloquially known as Il-Belt, simply meaning "The City".
Benjamin Disraeli visited Valletta in August 1830, on the recommendation of his friend, Lord Byron. He described Valletta as "a city of palaces built by gentlemen for gentlemen", and remarked that "Valletta, equals in its noble architecture, if it does not excel, any capital in Europe".
The Palace of the Grandmasters, now used as the President's Palace and St John's Co Cathedral are just a few of the marvels of this city.
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GHAR DALAM - Prehistorical Cave in Birzebbugia
Ghar Dalam (pronounced ar dālam in Maltese and meaning "Cave of Darkness") is an extraordinary prehistorical cul de sac containing the bone remains of animals that were stranded and subsequently became extinct on Malta at the end of the Ice age. Dwarf elephant, hippopotamus, deer and bear bone deposits found there are of a different age; the hippopotamuses became extinct about 180,000 years ago, whilst the deer species became extinct much later, about 18,000 years ago. It is also here that the earliest evidence of human settlement on Malta, some 7,400 years ago, was discovered.
GOZO - Malta's sister island
Gozo is an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, second in size to the island of Malta. In Maltese, the island is called Ghawdex (pronounced áw-desh). Gozo is part of the country of Malta.
Gozo is 67 kmē in size, which is approximately the same size as Hong Kong Island. It lies approximately 6 km northwest from the nearest point of Malta, is of oval form, 14 km in length and 7.25 km in extreme breadth. Gozo is famed for its character and places of interest. Some of these are the Calypso cave, the Ggantija Neolithic temples which is the oldest man made structure. It is more picturesque than the larger sister island of Malta, and the land is more fertile.
Gozo's finest attribute is the stunning Ramla Bay, whose lurid orange-red sand and crystal clear turquoise waters make it one of the finest beaches in Europe. Nearby San Blas is another world-class beach.
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MOSTA - The Rotunda
The Rotunda of St Marija Assunta (sometimes shortened to Mosta Dome) is found in Mosta, Malta and was designed by George Grongnet.
Its dome is among the largest in the world, with a diameter of 37 meters (122ft). Grongnet's plans were closely based on the Pantheon in Rome The building started in May 1833 and wasn't finished till the 1930s. The original church was left in place while the Rotunda was built around it allowing the local people to still have a place of worship while the new church was built. On April 9, 1942, during an afternoon air-raid, a 200kg Luftwaffe bomb pierced the dome (two others bounced off) and fell among the congregation of more than 300 people, awaiting early evening mass. It did not explode. Its replica is now on display inside the Rotunda.
TA QALI - Crafts Village
Ta 'Qali Crafts Village is situated on part of a historic World War II airbase in central Malta. Nearby there is the National Park, the Malta Aviation Museum, and a busy Sunday market.
The Nissen huts, hangars and other buildings were then taken over by other artisans and new huts were built, providing a focus for traditional Maltese crafts including pottery, silver and gold filigree, lace-making, glassblowing and furniture making.
Ta 'Qali Crafts Village provides an ideal day out as part of a holiday in Malta, with the chance to see craftspeople at work and buy something completely unique and original to take home.
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MARSAXLOKK - Fishing Village
Marsaxlokk is a traditional fishing village located in the south-eastern part of Malta. The name means "south-east port" in Maltese and is pronounced mar-sa-shlok.
Marsaxlokk is the foremost fishing village and, perhaps, the most picturesque seaside locality in Malta. Fishing nets are often spread on the quay to dry in the sun and, quite often, sturdy fishermen can be seen mending these nets. These activities, together with the modest houses by the quayside, lend the place charm and serenity.
Fish restaurants have opened to meet the ever-increasing demand. The tourist influx to Marsaxlokk has also attracted many hawkers and souvenir vendors.
Overlooking the northern arm of Marsaxlokk Bay is the hill of Tas-Silg. This archaeological site contains remains of megalithic temples of the Tarxien phase, with later alterations resembling the Hagar Qim model. Bronze Age material was also found scattered around the area.
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