Spotlight on: Isla

Senglea, also known as L-Isla, is one of the three cities, located in the Cottonera area in the east of Malta. The magnificent fortified city is the smallest of the three, which includes Birgu and Cospicia, and is, for lack of a better phrase, truly one of the jewels of the Maltese Islands.

The city is one of the oldest, dating back to the 16th century and is enclosed by bastions, overlooking jaw-dropping views, guarding the Grand Harbour even today, as it did centuries ago. The name L-Isla is derived from the Italian word ‘isola’, meaning island, as the peninsula was originally an island, joined by a land bridge.

The harbour’s shipbuilding docks made Senglea the most prosperous of the three cities in the 18th century and many leading figures lived there, including Juan Buatista Azopardo, the founder of the Argentinian Navy.

During the British Occupation, the Royal Navy extended the Knights’ shipyard to the other side of the city. The town prospered and boasted some of Malta’s most respected families, academics and politicians among its residents.

However, the presence of the naval dockyard ultimately contributed to its destruction as during the Second World War, it was one of the main targets of bomber attacks. Senglea suffered terribly, with the explosion of HMS Illustrious destroying most of its buildings.

The War changed the city as its population left to take refuge in outlying towns and countryside, many never to return. In recent years, the rehabilitation of the yacht marina has attracted many back to the town, some 30% of its residents being foreigners, attracted to the authenticity of the place.

The city is more than heritage. Left largely untouched, Senglea offers authentic life as well as a glimpse into Malta’s maritime fortunes. Life flows through its narrow, picturesque streets and aged buildings.

Many activities take place within the city, including the popular regattas, traditional boat races on the waters of the Grand Harbour, with Senglea being one of the major participants.

OUR LADY OF PORTO SALVO

In 1596, Senglea witnessed the building of a third church, this time at the far end of the pensinsula. The Porto Salvo church as built on the initiative of Fr Vincenzo Caruana, Senglea’s second parish priest. The church was dedicated to Our Lady of Porto Salvo, which refers to the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Elizabeth, a name that means a great deal to sailors and boatmen, who earned their living from the city. In fact, a number of local mariners contributed towards the building. Since 2008, the church and has been entrusted to a Salesian community.

BASILICA OF THE NATIVITY OF MARY

The building was, most likely, built by architect Vittorio Cassar in 1580, as a monument to the Christian Victory following the Great Siege. The main attraction of the basilica is a wooden statue of Mary, known as ‘IlBambina’, was carved in 1619. Following the coronation of the statue in 1921, the church became a sanctuary. The basilica is also home to several manuscripts, which date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, including a diary written by Francesco Saverio Baldacchino. This sheds lights on the last years of the Knights in Malta, the French occupation of Malta and the early years of the British rule.

GARDJOLA GARDENS

Gardjola Gardens are a public park located at the end of the cape, the remains of the former fortifications in the city, with impressive panoramic views over Marsa, Valletta, the Grand Harbour and Fort St Angelo. The gardens were planned by Grandmaster De Le Sengle in 1551, with a guard tower built on the tip of the bastions. The tower, called ‘Il-gardjola’, has several symbols sculpted on it, such as an eye, an ear and a crane bird, which represent guardianship and observance protecting the Maltese shores. Check out the gardens, which are open everyday in summer from 8:30am till 11pm.

THE SHEER BASTION

The Sheer Bastion, as well as Maċina below, form part of the fortifications of Senglea, which were built by the Knights of St John in 1554, just before the Great Siege of Malta. The name Maċina itself is derived from the word ‘macchina’, a machine used to hoist and fit masts on galleys. The venue and its surroundings are rich with history and are also a tentative UNESO World Heritage Site. The panoramic views from the water’s edge building of the Grand Harbour, give way to stunning sunsets, super fireworks displays (pre and hopefully post COVID-19, when permitted) and illuminated views of the city.

YOUR GUIDE TO DINING IN THE SOUTH OF MALTA

Discover our handpicked local restaurants that serve genuine food. Regardless of your taste or budget, there's a restaurant on our list to suit you. Here's where to find them.

IL-ĦNEJJA A special find situated on the waterfront of Senglea. Here the seafood is fresh and simply delicious - the fresh calamari in squid ink as well as the octopus in breadcrumbs were to die for. The restaurant has a varied menu, not limited to seafood, which includes home made burgers, salads, snacks, dishes from the grill and more. Some excellent biggilla, galletti (water biscuits) and delicious bread straight out of the oven will help you settle in whilst deciding on what to order from their vast menu. The restaurant features traditional Maltese arches above the indoor dining area and also boasts two outdoor dining sections, one just outside the restaurant entrance and the other on the edge of the Three Cities harbour. Coupled with the views of Birgu and Valletta, this restaurant is highly recommended. Oh, and the service is definitely a bonus! You'll definitely be planning your return.

HAMMETT'S MACINA

By creating a shared meal format, the team wants people to lend themselves to closeness and camaraderie. The gastronomical concept is a take on the islands' succession of powers, with a modern representation of traditional Mediterranean culinary influences from the Phoenician times, to the Knights of St. John, to today. To accompany this historical menu, a wine list was created reflecting the concept.

+356 2779 4171 | Triq Il-31 ta' Marzu, Xatt Juan B. Azzopardo, Senglea

MYKONOS

At Mykonos you’ll be feasting on a myriad of tastes, aromas and textures. A sentiment that drives two of the greatest cuisines in the world — Greek and Italian. Savour their mouthwatering gyros brimming with flavourful pulled pork in pita bread and topped with chopped tomatoes, onions, fries and tzatziki. BURGERS INK

This place is taking burgers and panccakes in Malta to a whole new level with its delicious combinations. So much thought goes into creating each one of these unique burgers and pancakes that when they come to the table you don't know if you should admire and photograph them, or just stuff everything straight into your mouth... top quality buns with meat that is juicy beyond belief and a pancake for dessert... the dream.

+356 77930060 | Triq il-Gardiel, Marsascala

TERRONE

This Birgu restaurant combines rustic charm with contemporary regional cuisine and focuses on southern Italian and Maltese cuisine. Handpicking the best local produce, the team aims to recreate a healthy way of dining. The new venue is part of the historic Fort St. Angelo and was honoured with Michelin Bib Gourmand.

BONGONYAH

Bongonyah offers something for everyone’s tastes in their cosy and cheerful atmosphere. They offer a hearty, wholesome and varied selection of food and drinks, ranging from the healthy options to the guiltier ones. From the healthy smoothies, juices and salads to the vast range of platters from around the world, as well as a fine selection of artisinal teas and coffees that fit perfectly with their yummy desserts, we’re sure that you’ll find something for every mood you’re in.

+356 9965 9472 | Triq il-Gardiel, Marsaskala

TAL-FAMILJA This restaurant has been established for over a decade, serving delicious Mediterranean, Maltese and Italian cuisine. They specialise in seafood and the stuffed clamari and spaghetti vongole are unreal. Having said that, the rabbit liver is to die for. Tal-Familja is one of those family run restaurants that you come across as a very special treat. It ticks all boxes when it comes to excellent quality food, service and atmosphere.

+356 2163 2161 | Triq il-Gardiel, Marsascala

ACQUABLU AcquaBlu is a newly refurbished restaurant that is located along the promenade of one of the beautiful three cities, Senglea. Book in advance to have a table outside by the water and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and view over one of Malta’s scenic harbours. Acqua Blu offers a vast selection of fresh seafood as well as other dishes such as tender chicken breast with goat cheese crust… to die for. Excellent food, fresh and well prepared!

+356 2180 7170 | 83/84 Dingli Cornelio Street,

CUT STEAKHOUSE

A traditional steakhouse at heart, with a touch of class and elegance, CUT is the perfect treat for those who wish to enjoy quality cuts paired with a great bottle of wine. There's a wide selection of sausages, various meat cuts including kangaroo, wild boar and mouth-watering Canadian ribeye steak served with mashed potatoes. When it comes to preparing a quality cut of meat, this retaurant knows what it's doing. Ten points for this one.

+356 7999 5454 | Xatt Ir-rizq, Bormla, Cospicua

LA NOSTRA PADRONA

Set right in the heart of Malta’s main fishing village, Marsaxlokk, La Nostra Padrona Restaurant enjoys a full view of the picturesque harbour. Although specializing mainly in seafood, the ‘A la Carte’ menu includes Mediterranean dishes and various specialities of the Chef. With fish delivered daily right from the boats, a selection of fresh fish and shellfish is always guaranteed. They also serve 100% fresh pasta and various salads.

+356 2766 7720 | Xatt is-Sajjieda, Marsaxlokk

INTERVIEW WITH:

RESTAURANTEUR KEITH SEYCHELL

Oh My Malta talks to entrepreneur Keith Seychell on running successful businesses in the property and catering industries.

HOW DID IT ALL START?

I started my first business when I bought my first property at the age of 18. I worked in several different sectors but mainly in property. However, I always dreamt of starting up a business in the catering industry. Five years ago, I opened up my first restaurant, Capo Crudo, which was my first business venture in that industry. This started out as a hobby as it was not my main project at the time. This inspired my partner Mr Husni Bey and I to open up another three restaurants and even more in the future. This is how I expanded my business to the catering industry.

DO YOU STILL FOCUS ON PROPERTY?

I still focus on the property industry as that is my main business. Recently, the restaurants have been taking up a lot of my time. At the moment I am working in the restaurant industry as much as I am working in property.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENT CONCEPTS OF YOUR RESTAURANTS?

Capo Crudo in Valletta is a high-end restaurant, which offers diners fresh fish and seafood with views across Marsamxett harbour.

Mykonos in Cospicua is a perfect fusion of Greek and Italian cuisine., whilst Cut Steakhouse specialises in steaks and exotic meats as well as some of the best Japanese and Canadian cuts you can find. We will also be opening another one in Cospicua called Blue Marlin, a seafood restaurant as well as a seafood market. This is a new concept where customers can select their choice of the freshest and most fantastic range of seafood in Malta, and choose to dine in or cook at home. We are also bringing home the franchise Paul, and plan on opening up five of these bakeries. So we are currently working on that too.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE LOCATION OF A RESTAURANT?

For me the location is more important than anything else. A seaview is a must. The first thing I look out for is the location and then I build a concept around it.

WHAT CHALLENGES DOES THE SECTOR FACE?

Every business has its own unique set of challenges. Within the catering industry, you have to interact with your customers and provide a good service. The restaurant industry has seen some of the most notable changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants were closed for a period of time and some were even forced to close their doors permanently. COVID-19 has forced many restaurant businesses – large and small – to make changes to the way they operate. We suffered a lot, but we are ready to restart and I am hopeful that it will be business as usual in the summer months.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE BEING FEATURED ON NETFLIX’S POPULAR PROGRAMME ‘RESTAURANTS ON THE EDGE’?

It was an honour to be approached by a Canadian production and a team of experts to feature on this programme. It was great to be recognised for our good quality food, service and ambience. We’ve definitely had a positive response after appearing on the hit show. Getting our restaurant noticed for positive reasons was definitely good publicity.

HOW HAS COVID-19 IMPACTED THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY?

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a huge impact on the industry. The restaurant industry was hit hard. There will be restaurants that won’t survive. Some are at risk of closing down and not reopening. This all depends on how strong they are. We did have support from the government and for that we are very grateful. Unfortunately, it is still not enough as we’ve been hit extremely hard. Recovery will take time, but having said this, I am looking forward to restarting and hopefully getting back on track in the coming months.

DO YOU ENJOY COOKING AFTER ALL?

Cooking is pleasurable to me. It is also a priority. It is a passion I include in my everyday routine. After a long day at work, I prefer spending the evening cooking and entertaining my family and friends rather than sitting on the sofa.

ARE YOU WORKING ON ANY NEW PROJECTS? DID THE PANDEMIC MAKE YOU MORE CREATIVE?

I do have some ideas in mind. I have a lot of ideas in fact. However, I’d rather focus on one thing at a time than start several projects and not give them the attention they need. So at the moment the priority is to focus on all my businesses and make sure they are strong enough before developing the ideas I have in mind. In the meantime, I plan on developing an agricultural farm on the land next to my house, where we would grow lots of local produce to use in our restaurants. That is definitely something I’m looking forward to do. I am always dreaming, but things need to be done at the right time. It is impossible to implement every idea that comes to mind. That is a recipe for disaster.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE FUTURE?

I feel quite confident that business will pick up. People have had enough of staying indoors, and they are itching to be at a restaurant with a drink in hand. So there is no doubt that people will go out to eat at restaurants. I am very positive that if we have ongoing help until things get back on track, we will survive.

THE BRASS BAR

The Bars Team at InterContinental Malta are continuously seeking ways to push boundaries and challenge the beverage culture status quo locally.

When entering the bar area one is awestruck by the jaw-dropping bar backdrop stocked with priceless bottles of the finest spirits, all tended to by the award-winning bars team. Here the team, have prepared a menu with a wide selection of hot chocolates, coffees and classic cocktails given a unique and classy twist.

Live the InterContinental life.

MALTA

WASHINGTON NEW YORK LONDON PARIS DUBAI BANGKOK SINGAPORE BEIJING SHANGHAI SYDNEY

NEW WELCOME TO INTERCONTINENTAL MALTA

For the past 18 years, InterContinental Malta has welcomed a wide variety of guests such as a family travelling to Malta for leisure, a couple celebrating their honeymoon, an attendee of a large conference, celebrities ready to take on the stage at a national concert or ready to shoot a blockbuster or Heads of States here in Malta to discuss important matters. Often, people refer to the Lobby as the ‘Heart of the Hotel’ and it couldn’t be truer. The Lobby is wherea guest is first greeted and checked in and it is one of the last stops at the end of their stay. It is a meeting point, it is where guests go to ask queries, and where people can relax.

At the beginning of 2020, the Owners of Eden Leisure Group invested in a brand new refined lobby bar with itsjaw-dropping brass bar backdrop stocked with priceless bottles of the finest spirits, kickingoff the uplift of the lobby area. Towards the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, it was time to focus on one of the most importantparts of InterContinental Malta and thus the lobby went through a refurbishment.

Whenwalking into the hotel one is greeted with warm tones embodying a mix between classic and moderndécor. Custom wood features which were handcut and placed, stand out amongst the textures inthe lobby. In addition brass elements at the reception desk and atop the grand columns complementing ‘The Brass Bar’. InterContinental Malta’s talented Pastry Chef; Pierre Debono, also created a unique chocolate centrepiece to suit the lobby’s new look. The staff invite you to the refreshing, luxurious and comfortable space that awaits you upon entering InterContinental Malta.

For more information, visit malta.intercontinental.com