The Mediterranean’s best kept secret is an archipelago called the Maltese Islands. At the cross roads of maritime routes, the Maltese Islands comprising of Malta, Gozo & Comino have been a home, stronghold, trading post and refuge for over 7,000 years of history. From temple builders to the seafaring Phoenicians, the time spent here by the Apostle St Paul, the gallantry of the Knights of St John, the short-lived occupation by Napoleon and the presence of British royalty, all have left their impressions for you to experience.

Malta can be described as a living museum, since the Maltese are in close proximity of yester-years history, incorporating today’s needs & lifestyle amongst the many antiquities, former lived in caves, palaces, temple and baroque architecture that riddles these Islands.

Highlights of Malta

Temples – The impressive ‘Hypogeum’ in Malta is a fascinating underground burial temple and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Constructed in the Neolithic period, it is a labyrinth of man-made chambers some 11 metres underground. Malta boasts a total of 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – an amazing point to remember for it’s tiny size. Among these sites are the Megalithic temples Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples, the Tarxien temples and the world’s oldest free-standing temples in Gozo, called Ggantija. Older than the pyramids of Eygpt and pre-dating Stonehenge, the Ggantija temples date between 3600 and 3000BC. Log on to www.heritagemalta.org site, under the ‘Visiting’ option for further information or to book in advance for single or multi-site passes. This is especially important to note for all visits to the ‘Hypogeum’.

Limestone Heritage – The Limestone Heritage Park & Gardens offers the public a unique look at the Maltese Islands’ distinct stone and the geological make-up of the islands. This tour, accompanied by audio equipment in all languages inside a former quarry, traces the progress of Maltese culture throughout the ages. These can be witnessed in the various buildings, monuments and artefacts fashioned in stone – from the first free-standing structures to those elaborate creations being built today using this renowned stone. Log on to www.limestoneheritage.com for more information and a gallery that will entice you to include this site on your next visit to Malta.

St Agatha’s Catacombs – The martyr St Agatha is said to have hidden in these catacombs, found in Rabat (Malta), during the persecution of the Christians by the Roman Emperor Decius in 249 A.D, after she had fled Sicily and taken refuge in Malta. The crypt and catacombs are part of a historical complex, and also comprises a church built above them as well as an adjacent museum. Some of the earliest and unique frescoes on the islands are found here.

Tal-Mintna Catacombs – Tal-Mintna Catacombs in Mqabba are Paleo-Christian tombs grouped collectively next to each other. Although originally unconnected to one another these three separate hypogea have now been interconnected to form one larger complex. Like similar small clusters found in the vicinities, the interior excavation is made up of small galleries and oven shaped tombs, carved out on both sides of the passageways. The ritual table known as the “triclinium” table dominates the whole configuration of the crypts. It is suggested that the latter was used by the mourners to celebrate a banquet or feast for the dead. These burial chambers are quite richly decorated; elaborately carved scallop-shell decorations can be seen on the conchs of numerous window tombs frequently accompanied by a number of decorated pilasters flanking the entrance of the said window tombs. Eight pyramidal shaped ‘lamp-holes’ can also be seen opposite the agape table. This site is open by appointment only. To arrange a visit to these sites contact info@heritagemalta.org.

De Redin Coastal Towers – The coastal towers were built during a span of sixty years during the time of the Knights of St John. They are classified into two distinct groups that reflect two separate concepts of coastal defence strategy. The first group were massive square-type towers fitted with heavy pieces of artillery and garrisoned by a sizable detachment of regular troops. These large towers were built not only to guard the major bays susceptible to invasion but were also expected to engage the disembarking enemy with their powerful guns while their garrisons were required to harass and reconnoitre the enemy. Then, between 1620 and 1649 the Knights introduced a much smaller type of coastal tower intended to serve solely as a permanent lookout post rather than as an isolated stronghold, enabling the Order’s engineers to standardize and perfect their design from the previous ones above, such as the example at Wied iz-Zurrieq. The latter was to serve as a blue-print for the chain of thirteen watch-towers built by Grand Master De Redin and designed to relay bonfire warning signals on their roofs, all the way to Valletta.

Valletta – Malta’s capital is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. It is listed as a European Art City and a World Heritage City. Valletta was built as a fortress by the Knights of St John, under the guidance of Grand Master La Vallette, from whom it derives its name. Valletta is home to over 300 historical monuments, but St John’s Co-Cathedral is the highlight of this city ‘Built By Gentlemen for Gentlemen’. Caravaggio’s masterpiece The Beheading of St John is housed in this Cathedral. It is the only work of art actually signed by this infamous artist.

Mqabba – this a small village in the south of Malta and is famous for it’s limestone quarries. In fact, the remains of extinct animals were found in Ta’ Xantin and Ta’ Kandja Quarries. The Ta’ Mintna catacombs are found in this village. Amongst other important structures, one can find the Vincenti Tower and various chapels such as the Chapel of St. Basil, Our Lady of Sorrows, St. John and St.Catherine of Alexendria. The main church is dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady. The Santa Marija feast in celebrated on the 15th of August and brings a great number of Fireworks enthusiasts to watch displays put on by the St. Mary Fireworks Factory. This is a world renowned Fireworks group who has brought countless of honors on both national and the international scale, winning amongst others, the Malta Fireworks Festival in 2005. They also won the world fireworks championship in Rome in 2007.

Malta Tourism Authority, www.visitmalta.com