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History. The history of Malta is a long and colourful one dating back to the dawn of civilisation The Maltese Islands went through a golden Neolithic period, the remains of which are the mysterious temples dedicated to the goddess of fertility. Later on, the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans and the Byzantines, all left their traces on the Islands. In 60 A.D. St. Paul was shipwrecked on the island while on his way to Rome and brought Christianity to Malta. The Arabs conquered the islands in 870 A.D. and left an important mark on the language of the Maltese. Until 1530 Malta was an extension
of Sicily: The Normans, the Aragonese and other conquerors who ruled over Sicily also governed the Maltese Islands. It was Charles V who bequeathed Malta to the Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem who ruled over Malta from 1530 to 1798.
In 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte took over Malta from the Knights on his way to Egypt. The French presence on the islands was short lived, as the English, who were requested by the Maltese to help them against the French, blockaded the islands in 1800.
The Knights took Malta through a new golden age, making it a key player in the cultural scene of 17th and 18th century Europe. The artistic and cultural lives of the Maltese Islands were injected with the presence of artists such as Caravaggio, Mattia Preti and Favray who were commissioned by the Knights to embellish churches, palaces and auberges.
British rule in Malta lasted until 1964 when Malta became independent. The Maltese adapted the British system of administration, education and legislation. Modern Malta became a Republic in 1974 and joined the European Union in May 2004.
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The Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday will shortly be upon us. In every village in Malta you will find many processions, re-enactments, static displays and an assortment of local traditional food. The Holy Week is not a time of celebration but a time of reflection for the many devote Catholics in Malta. In Siġġiewi, a village in the south western part of Malta, on Maundy Thursday, you will find thousands of people praying and singing hymns in a torch lit procession to Laferla Cross, which is located on a 219-meter-high hill.
The ‘seven visits’ also start on Maundy Thursday and continue till Good Friday. This consists of visiting seven different churches to pay homage to the Altars of Repose. Valletta is a popular destination for this purpose as there are many churches in close proximity ideal for the ‘seven visits’. Others take a longer route, even taking a pilgrimage to Ta’ Pinu in Gozo, a famous basilica where it is believed that a Gozitan woman heard the Virgin Mary speak to her in 1883 and that also has statues representing the ‘Way of the Cross’ up a path on a hill just across the church.
The Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday will shortly be upon us. In every village in Malta you will find many processions, re-enactments, static displays and an assortment of local traditional food. The Holy Week is not a time of celebration but a time of reflection for the many devote Catholics in Malta. In Siġġiewi, a village in the south western part of Malta, on Maundy Thursday, you will find thousands of people praying and singing hymns in a torch lit procession to Laferla Cross, which is locat-
ed on a 219-meter-high hill. The ‘seven visits’ also start on Maundy Thursday and continue till Good Friday. This consists of visiting seven different churches to pay homage to the Altars of Repose. Valletta is a popular destination for this purpose as there are many churches in close proximity ideal for the ‘seven visits’. Others take a longer route, even taking a pilgrimage to Ta’ Pinu in Gozo, a famous basilica where it is believed that a Gozitan woman heard the Virgin Mary speak to her in 1883 and that also has statues representing
Carnival in Malta has a long history dating back to the times of the Knights of Malta in the 15th century. The increasingly wild festivities throughout the years made several Grand Masters unhappy with its unruliness and quite a few tried to curb the events. But Carnival in Malta withstood the test of time and today enjoys massive popularity with locals and an increasing reputation with foreigners. Even though celebrated across all the Maltese islands in town squares,
schools, homes and private parties, today the main organised Carnival activities take place in Malta’s capital Valletta and its neighbouring Floriana. A more recent phenomenon, that has also attracted international media attention, is the annual spontaneous Nadur Carnival that takes place in Gozo. A little more on both‌ Local aficionados spent a whole year in secrecy preparing for the four days of events to participate and compete in the Carnival parade. Eerily beautiful and colourful
floats which depict all sorts of people, animals and mythical creatures, throng the streets of Valletta with dancers in elaborate costumes partying aboard (costumes are more family friendly then their Brazilian counterpart). Carnival float building in Malta is an art inherited through family generations and enthusiasts take great pride in their work with more than a touch of rivalry amongst participants. Carnival days in Valletta also host a number of marching bands,
Valletta is Unesco-world-heritage listed for its harmonious collection of baroque architecture: imposing military forts and deep moats circle its perimeter, elegant church domes and spires pierce its skyline, and richly embellished palazzos jostle for space next to towering townhouses with bright green wooden balconies. As you wander the city’s streets, remember to look up: il-Beltin (residents of the city) uphold the centuries-old tradition of peeping from their balconies at the street life unfolding beneath them.
Valletta’s baroque the elegant Auberge National Museum of ArMaster’s Palace, once Knights of St John; and at St Elmo, which guards and houses the National
highlights include de Provence, now the chaeology; the Grand home to the leaders of the the recently restored Fort the end of the peninsula War Museum. You can
also explore a baroque hospital at the Sacra Infermeria and Knights Hospitallers Exhibition and visit the peaceful 16th-century Church of St Paul’s Shipwreck. End your day at St James’ Cavalier, a sixteenth-century fort that has been converted into contemporary arts centre, and swing by the nearby Upper Barrakka Gardens for a spectacular sunset. Don’t be fooled by its austere stone exterior – stepping into St John’s Co-Cathedral is like stepping into a glittering jewellery box. Built by the Knights of St John between 1573 and 1578,
Carnival in Malta has a long history dating back to the times of the Knights of Malta in the 15th century. The increasingly wild festivities throughout the years made several Grand Masters unhappy with its unruliness and quite a few tried to curb the events. But Carnival in Malta withstood the test of time and today enjoys massive popularity with locals and an increasing reputation with foreigners. Even though celebrated across all the Maltese islands in town squares, schools, homes and private parties, today the main organised Carnival activities take place in Malta’s capital Valletta and its neighbouring Floriana. A more recent phenomenon, that has also attracted international media attention, is the annual spontaneous Nadur Carnival that takes place in Gozo. A little more on both… Local aficionados spent a whole year in secrecy preparing for the four days of events to participate and compete in the Carnival parade. Eerily beautiful and colourful floats which depict all sorts of people, animals and mythical crea-
tures, throng the streets of Valletta with dancers in elaborate costumes partying aboard (costumes are more family friendly then their Brazilian counterpart). Carnival float building in Malta is an art inherited through family generations and enthusiasts take great pride in their work with more than a touch of rivalry amongst participants.
neighbouring Floriana. A more recent phenomenon, that has also attracted international media attention, is the annual spontaneous Nadur Carnival that takes place in Gozo. A little more on both…
Carnival days in Valletta also host a number of marching bands, Carnival in Malta has a long history dating back to the times of the Knights of Malta in the 15th century. The increasingly wild festivities throughout the years made several Grand Masters unhappy with its unruliness and quite a few tried to curb the events. But Carnival in Malta withstood the test of time and today enjoys massive popularity with locals and an increasing reputation with foreigners.
Local aficionados spent a whole year in secrecy preparing for the four days of events to participate and compete in the Carnival parade. Eerily beautiful and colourful floats which depict all sorts of people, animals and mythical creatures, throng the streets of Valletta with dancers in elaborate costumes partying aboard (costumes are more family friendly then their Brazilian counterpart). Carnival float building in Malta is an art inherited through family generations and enthusiasts take great pride in their work with more than a touch of rivalry amongst participants.
Even though celebrated across all the Maltese islands in town squares, schools, homes and private parties, today the main organised Carnival activities take place in Malta’s capital Valletta and its
Carnival days in Valletta also host a number of marching bands, Carnival in Malta has a long history dating back to the times of the Knights of Malta in the 15th century. The increasingly wild festivities