Memories and hints of a travelling IT professional.
Għar Lapsi is a small bay in the west of Malta underneath the Dingli cliffs. It is mostly known as a dive site and a swimming pool and for that it offers parking lots, good infrastructure, and a small coffee bar. While fishermen are bringing their boats to the water you can enjoy life in the water of the Mediterranean Sea.
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The city of Mosta might not be your first choice when selecting places to see on Malta. It is a small town that was used as a refuge in medieval times when pirates attacked, today it is mostly a residential zone without many highlights. But one place is really worth a stop: the Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady also called the Rotunda of Mosta.
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On a hill in the center of the Maltese main island you can find a city that changed its name several times. The Phoenicians called it Malet (refuge) because it was easy to defend. During Roman times it was called Melita and when the Arabs conquered the island it was named Mdina which means ‘city’. That’s why the city name sounds like Medina, the second-most important city of Islam in Saudi Arabia.
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Burial traditions change over time and are different in every culture. If you’re visiting the city of Rabat, you can explore a vast former burial site with an endless number of graves: the St. Paul’s Catacombs. More than 20 catacombs from Punic, Phoenician and Roman times as well as Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Pagan underground graveyards can be visited. The site is named after St. Paul because of the catholic church close to it.
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When you’re starting your journey on Malta at Valletta, you’ll be at a region with way too many inhabitants and an impressive density of buildings. It is hard to even see the rocky and rough shape of the island. That changes dramatically when you pass to the southwest shore with many uninhabited areas and a natural phenomenon: the Dingli cliffs. It is the highest point of the island, and the steep cliffs draw a different image of the island.
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The islands of Malta contain some ancient treasures: megalithic temples built from giant stones. They are today together represented as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple closest to Valletta is the temple of Tarxien constructed between 3250 BC and 2500 BC. It was discovered in 1914 because farmers plowing the land were stuck because of the large stones. These days the temple is protected by a roof and located in a large residential zone.
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Food markets that let you grab something to eat from different food stalls are spreading around the world and for sure also Valletta needed one: the Is-Suq Tal-Belt. It is an ancient market hall in Victorian style from the 19th century. In the basement you can find a food supermarket and on the ground floor the food court is located.
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Valletta has been created on the Mount Sciberras and therefore you’re confronted with some inclination when you visit it. Especially when you arrive by cruise ship or want to pass by ferry boat to the Three Cities you need to climb up next to the Upper Barrakka Gardens. To make life easier the Barrakka Lift was created there and operated from 1905 to 1973.
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It has become an icon of Malta: The Vedetta watchtower of Senglea. Located in the small Gardjola gardens at the end of L-Isla it is only a small watchtower, but a beloved photo location. The ornaments on the outside – eyes and ears – show what this tower was built for and from the gardens you’re having amazing views on Valletta and the Grand Harbour.
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The harbor of Valletta was protected by three fortifications facing the sea: the famous Fort St. Elmo in the center, the Fort Tigné in the north (with little of it left) and the Fort St. Angelo in the south on the peninsula Birgu belonging to Vittoriosa. Human settlements have been created early in this area and a castle was first mentioned in the 12th century CE.
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