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THE THREE CITIESThree Cities of Malta -Birgu (Vittoriosa), Senglea, and Cospicua – beckon with their historical allure.We took a canal boat , a mere 2 Euro each, directly across the Grand Harbour from Valletta. We also tried the ferry another day to Birgu.
Birgu and Senglea's docklands held my fascination with many restaurants offer great views across the cities. Our journey led us to Fort Angelo and the Inquisitor's Palace. Fort Angelo, now meticulously restored, boasts a Mediterranean-style chapel and garden. The Inquisitor's Palace, a historical jolt, reveals a history of power and ruthlessness. Its low doors, a chilling reminder of a brutal era, held those accused of differing beliefs, even labeled as witches. The Senglea Point Vedette, adorned with a carved oversized eye and ear, stands as a symbol of vigilance. The SeaFrom rocky to sandy, the beaches offer diverse landscapes. My highlight was the stunning Blue Hole in Gozo, where I chose snorkeling with my kids over diving. St. Peter’s Pool is a popular spot for cliff jumping, offering a vibrant underwater world, though not as clear as the Blue Hole. Unfortunately, wind hampered visits to two places. The Blue Lagoon was unreachable due to ferry disruptions. Given more time, Paradise Bay en route to Gozo would have been a definite stop for me. Visiting Għar ir-Riħ added another little adventure to our family trip. We had to locate the RTO sign, followed by a no-entry sign footpath. Then, we came across an old shelter on the right, leading us to a left turn that allowed us to climb down beneath the rocky terrain. Soon enough, we discovered a cave with a stunning sea view – a truly unique experience. We stayed at Raddison Blue at St Julia. This quaint 5-Star hotel is located in a quiet, lovely neighborhood in a busy area where offers outdoor pool with access to the rock seaside. Absolutely, you're in for a treat with Maltese cuisine! A captivating blend of Mediterranean and Italian influences, it guarantees a culinary journey during your Malta exploration. Be sure not to miss the opportunity to taste rabbit meat at Cafe Jubilee in Valletta; relish handmade pastas from Marsaxlokk, and indulge in the freshest seafood offerings that truly capture the essence of authentic island dining. Grilled octopus, succulent lobsters, and flavourful seafood soup are just a few mouthwatering options that await you.
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Sun, Sea and History Embrace the stunning blue skies by day and the enchanting fireworks that grace the night. Immerse yourself in the clear Mediterranean waters, exploring the depths of the Blue Hole surrounded by abundant fish. Relish fresh pasta and seafood, and step back 5000 years through archaeological parks. Malta and Gozo offer a complete experience for our family trip. Best Places for History Mdine and Rabat Mdina offers mysterious golden stone Arabic walled of the city at hilltop. In the medieval time, this place was called "Città Notabile" the Noble City and was the favoured residence of the Maltese aristocracy such as the Knights of St. John. St. Paul's Cathedral, a tale of resilience post-earthquake, emerged anew in 1697 as a Baroque masterpiece, its design reminiscent of Valletta's St. John's Co-Cathedral. An extraordinary museum houses a trove of woodcut and copperplate prints, a feast for the eyes. St Paul's catacomba at RabatThe site provided numerous breathtaking moments for me. It offers a fantastic alternative to the Saflieni Hypogeum for those interested in underground burial chambers. St. Paul's Catacombs, comprising 20 catacombs on the site, is the largest catacomb discovered on the island. Dating back to the 3rd century AD, these catacombs were utilized for burial purposes for around 500 years. The catacombs encompass both Christian and Jewish styles, featuring atmospheric rock-cut tombs with narrow staircases and passages. Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/hagar-qim-mnajdra-temples/ There are two sites to be visited in one go and both sites are protected by shelters. Ħaġar Qim is an ancient site dating back over 5000 years to the Late Neolithic period. It features temple buildings constructed with trilithons – two upright stone blocks with a lintel and threshold – as well as doorways cut into single megaliths, referred to as 'porthole' doorways. The site is reminiscent of Stonehenge, but on a much larger scale. Mnajdra comprises three buildings: Centra, East, and South. The most remarkable aspect is the alignment of the South building's doorway with the sunrise during the Spring and Autumn equinoxes. Battery Valletta Valletta's City Gate opened a world of wonder for us, where every corner held stories of the past and the promise of new adventures in the rich heritage of this UNESCO-listed gem. Our explorations led us to a delightful lunch at Café Jubilee, where local dishes such as rabbit meat danced on our palates. We visited visited St. Paul's Cathedral and strolled through the tranquil beauty of Upper Barrakka Gardens. The Teatru Manoel tour was the best part to end our city trip and imaging ourself in the theater box. Mysterium Fidei Musesm Step into The Mysterium Fidei Museum, an immersive experience beneath Valletta's St. Catherine’s Monastery. Here, monastic nuns once chose to live locked away, a life that extended beyond death. Explore their everyday routines and the intriguing secrets concealed within these walls. Journey through time, from the Knights of St. John era to the present day. With an audio tour, stand in rooms of work, prayer, restraint, and eternal sleep. Join us to unveil this remarkable mystery of faith! Saluting Battery https://www.visitmalta.com/en/a/info/saluting-battery/ The Saluting Battery, dating back almost 500 years, offers a fantastic viewpoint to admire The Three Cities and The Grand Harbour. It is likely one of the world's oldest operational saluting batteries. We witnessed the daily time-gun firing at 12 pm and then joined a 30-minute tour. The admission cost is reasonable, at 3 Euro per adult and 1 Euro per child, considering the wealth of information about various gun types and cannon sizes. Interestingly, to create a dramatic effect, the cannon is partially filled with flour! Although you can watch the cannon fire for free at Upper Barrakka Gardens, I highly recommend taking the tour for a more enriching experience.St John’s Co-Cathedral:St. John's Co-Cathedral is a true marvel of beauty with the presence of eight distinct chapels representing regions like Germany, Italy, France, Provence, Aragon, and Oratory. Each chapel's exquisite design and decor provide a glimpse into the unique heritage of its origin. |
