Explore the rich history of Malta

Explore the rich history of Malta

Explore the rich history of Malta

For decades, Malta has been a well-established beach holiday destination, one that's particularly popular with travellers from the UK as a result of its relatively recent British colonial heritage. However, this tiny island country is about much more than golden sands and blue waters. In fact, it has a rich and varied history that extends far beyond its roughly 150-year term as a British outpost in the Mediterranean. Wherever you go in Malta, there are plenty of historic sights to visit that will give you excellent insight into this ancient archipelago.

Made up of three islands - Malta, Gozo and Comino the Republic of Malta is located near Italy in the Mediterranean Sea and is just a three-hour ferry ride from the Sicilian port of Catania. However, most visitors will fly into the capital city, Valletta, which still retains the distinctive 16th century architectural landscape built by the Knights Hospitallers who ruled Malta for just three decades until the Ottoman conquest in the middle of the century. An early UNESCO World Heritage Site, its most famous historic site is St John's Co Cathedral, which boasts a remarkably ornate and artistic interior. Other must-see sights in the capital include the Cathedral Museum (home to works by Caravaggio), the Palace of the Grand Masters (now the site of the Maltese Parliament) and the 17th-century Manoel Theatre, one of Europe's oldest active theatres.

However, not all of Malta's historic sights are in its capital. A 30-minute bus ride away from Valletta is Mdina, its ancient fortified capital. Since the area within the fortress walls is small, Mdina is ripe for exploration on foot. Here, you'll find plenty of reminders of the island's Roman and Arab heritage, as well as charming streets on which to lose yourself. The most popular attractions are St Paul's Cathedral, adorned with intriguing inlaid marble gravestones and wallpaintings, and the Cathedral Museum. Perhaps the most impressive feature of a visit to Mdina is the view, which offers a superb panorama of Malta from the city walls.

Many people on Malta holidays don't leave the main island during their stay, thanks to the wide variety of attractions it has to offer. However, if your itinerary allows it, the smaller Maltese island of Gozo is well worth a visit - especially if you'd like a more rural or romantic holiday. To get to the island, take a ferry from Cirkewwa on Malta to Mgarr on Gozo from where you should be able to get around by bus or car. Essential historic sites to visit in Gozo include the citadel of Rabat (also known as Victoria) and the Ggantija Temples in Xaghra, which are considered to be among the oldest freestanding buildings in the world. And when you've exhausted Gozo's historic offerings, don't miss the spectacular sights of its west coast, such as the Azure Window cliff outcrop and the Blue Hole, a celebrated diving spot.

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