Sights Archives ⋆ Page 47 of 156 ⋆ The Passenger

November 22, 2021January 30, 2022

St. Elmo

A fortification at the sea, a national war museum, but most important: a place where important Maltese history has happened. The Fort St. Elmo sits at the end of the headland on which Valletta was built, between the entrance to the Grand Harbour and the Marsamxett Harbour. The fortification was built by the Knights Hospitaller but the location wasn’t perfect: when the Osmans attacked in 1565 they could enter the northern harbor and they attacked St. Elmo from the opposite side of the bay as well as from the higher areas of the headland.

November 22, 2021January 30, 2022

St. John’s Co-Cathedral

When you’re seeing the large lines in front of the main cathedral of Valletta you might think about skipping this sight and saving the high entrance fee of 15 hours. But that would be a bad decision as the St. John’s Co-Cathedral is not like an ordinary church, it is filled with extraordinary richness that cannot be seen or guessed from the outside. St. John’s Co-Cathedral was built by the Knights Hospitaller until the year 1578 and contains a section for every nationality that sent knights.

November 22, 2021January 30, 2022

Upper Barrakka Gardens

Valletta has two nice public parks located facing the harbor: the Lower Barraka Gardens and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Especially from the upper ones you can enjoy good views on the Grand Harbour, the fort St. Angelo and the Three Cities. It is located on the St. Peter and Paul bastion and contains different memorials and artworks, for example honoring Albert Einstein and Winston Churchill.

November 21, 2021April 13, 2022

Surprising capital city

The capital city of Malta is a special one: mostly car free, located on a large headland in the harbor, surrounded by large ancient walls and connected by ferry boats to the cities around it. Valletta is named after Jean de la Vallette, the Grand Master of the Order of Malta that erected the city. We all know their unique Maltese cross and the organization that still exists today.

October 30, 2021January 27, 2022

Castle at the sea

The castle of Λάρνακα is just a small castle directly at the sea, but it is a nice photo spot, especially in the evenings. First fortifications in this area go back to the 12th century CE, but the city and the castle gained importance in medieval times and where enhanced and fortified when the Republic of Genoa conquered the north of the island, and the harbor of Famagusta was lost.

October 30, 2021January 27, 2022

St. Lazarus

The story of Lazarus of Bethany is well-known: according to the bible he was a close friend of Jesus. After he had died Jesus came to his grave and called him back to life. What happened afterwards is not documented in the bible, but there are different legends: one says that Lazarus lauter became the bishop of Λάρνακα.

October 30, 2021January 27, 2022

Cape Greco

When you’re at Αγία Νάπα in the east of Cyprus it is a promising idea to enjoy the sunset at the end of the island, the Cape Greco. The final land’s end is unfortunately covered by a British radar station, but you can explore rocky areas, beaches and grottos located west of it.

October 30, 2021January 26, 2022

Caravanserai

One of the most beautiful places in the Turkish sector of Λευκωσία is the Büyuk han, the great inn. When the Ottomans took over power from the Venetians they created a caravanserai in the city. It is a rectangular building giving a home to travelers and merchants. Today you’ll find different restaurants inside and can enjoy lunch in this ancient environment.

October 30, 2021January 24, 2022

Selimiye Camii

When you look at ancient maps and images of Λευκωσία, you can see a large church in the center of the city boundaries marked by the Venetian walls protecting the city: the Cathedral of Saint Sophia. It was built from the year 1209 on and the Knights Templar supported the creation during the crusades. The kings of Cyprus were crowned there during the existence of their kingdom (1192 to 1489 CE).

October 29, 2021January 21, 2022

Asinou

There are many fantastic UNESCO world heritage sites around the world but the Panagia tis Asinou might be my most favorite one – because it is so surprising and so high in contrast to its surroundings. When you arrive at this place belonging to Νικητάρι you’re at the end of the world with nothing else than forests, green fields, and mountains. And then there is a barn made of stone surrounded by a low stone wall.