Malta has been blessed with a sublime
climate, interesting topography and crystal
waters. It has also been cursed with a
strategic significance that has subjected it
to a history of ongoing conflict as various
nations have battled to colonise it
throughout the ages. All of this has
combined to make the Maltese Archipelago a
really fascinating destination today.
The Maltese Islands are a unique
cocktail of genes and architecture forged by
a most dramatic history. It stretches back
5611 years to the carbon dated megalithic
Ggantija Temples on the Island of Gozo,
built by an advanced civilisation that
crossed from Sicily on a land bridge that no
longer exists. These are the oldest
structures in the world, and were built
1,400 years before the Pyramids. The
Phoenicians started the long chain of
conflict and occupation that included
periods of dominion by Carthaginians, the
Romans, a stretch of Byzantine rule and an
ongoing tussle with the Vandals and Goths.
This was followed by an Arab dominance that
was ended by a Norman conquest in 1090. The
Maltese Archipelago was ceded to the Knights
of St John by Charles V of Spain, and they
went on to become the Island’s greatest
benefactors. They were conquered by Napoleon
in 1798, and he was defeated in turn two
years later when most of the French fleet
was sunk by Admiral Nelson in the battle of
Alexandria on Egypt’s shoreline. This
brought Malta under a lengthy period of
English rule that ended with the granting of
independence in 1964.
Britain and Malta
were close allies during the Second World
War, and they were subjected to the most
vicious onslaught, as the Islands were a
thorn in Rommel’s supply route for his North
African campaign. More bombs reigned down on
this tiny enclave than any other arena
during the entire war. In April 1942 King
George V1 awarded the George Cross to the
entire population of the Maltese Islands in
honour of their heroism and bravery - the
only time in history that such recognition
has been bestowed.
Tucked away at the
crossroads of Africa and Europe, the Maltese
Archipelago lies 93 kilometers south of
Sicily, and 288 north of the Tunisian/Libyan
coastline. Blessed with a sublime climate
influenced by fairly close proximity to the
Sahara Desert, it features hot dry summers,
warm autumns and short cool winters.
Malta is extremely popular with legions of
tourists from Europe, but is comparatively
unknown to most South Africans. It is a very
stable and productive country, with a strong
sense of history as reflected by its ancient
buildings - particularly in Valetta, the
Capital. They were built across the wide
span of the Knights reign from 1530 to 1798,
and this is one of the highlights on the
tourist beat, along with Mdina - the ‘Silent
City’. The latter was a colonial settlement
of Imperial Rome, and thereafter the first
Capital City of the Knights before the seat
of government moved to Valetta. In Roman
times it was here that the Apostle Paul was
kept when he was washed ashore from a
shipwreck on the island in 60AD. He was
later deported to Rome, where he was
executed.
Malta’s greatest natural
resource is a vast deposit of a distinctive
butter coloured limestone that has been used
for building throughout the past, and is the
medium still in use today. This eliminates
the need for exterior paint and gives
structures throughout the islands a unique
patina. When added to the craftsmanship of
the skilled stone masons through the ages,
there is a commanding ambiance that
overwhelms the senses. Far from being a
collection of historical buildings, Mdina is
a fully functioning village with over 300
residents who are the only people allowed
vehicular access. Occasionally, whilst
wandering along its flag stoned streets, a
horse and buggy will clip clop past adding
to the timeless charm.
For vacationers
there are great resorts, plenty of bays, and
glorious beaches along the 196 kilometer
coastline. The crystal clear water is ideal
for swimming, and scuba diving is especially
popular amongst the many wrecks lying quite
close to the shore. Those seeking night life
will head for the party district of
Paceville, where many bars, clubs and
restaurants rock until the wee hours. And
shopaholics head for the Point, Malta’s
newest and biggest retail complex that is
linked to the prestigious Tigne point
development. There are also many Al Fresco
eateries, as the wonderful climate promotes
an intimate association with the many
piazzas and waterfronts of the Maltese
Islands.
On hand to cater for the huge
influx of tourists is a large network of
very fine hotels ranging from high end
luxury to budget, all of which compare
favourably with their European counterparts
in terms of price and value. I was
privileged to stay in two really superb five
star establishments. The Phoenicia is
Malta’s imposing Grande Dame situated
conveniently at the entrance to Valletta in
7 acres of luxuriant garden. It is themed
along attractive Art Deco lines and has a
beautiful pool complex tucked away amongst
the trees, plants and shrubs.
In
fashionable Sliema I spent a night in the
stylishly modern Palace Hotel, situated 500
metres from a popular beach. The main
features were a generous balcony with a
breathtaking vista, and a top floor centered
round a rim-flow pool that gave the illusion
of pouring onto the street below. This area
was completely devoted to leisure activities
such as a bar, gymnasium, spa and a large
bank of sun loungers.
A magnificent
travel bookmark of the Maltese Archipelago
is the satellite island of Gozo in the
north. It is accessed by a ferry that leaves
every 45 minutes, and transports people and
cars across the 6 kilometer channel in half
an hour. A place of great enchantment, it is
a rural alternative to bustle busy Malta.
Measuring only 14 kilometers in length, 7 in
width, and 67 squares in area, it has a
population of 31,000 of whom 6,500 live in
Victoria the capital. It has a truly
spectacular coastline featuring craggy
cliffs, seductive coves, blue grottos and
glorious beaches where turquoise waves break
onto brilliant orange-red sands.
For
those keen on relics from the past, Gozo’s
history is built into many of its buildings,
most notably The Citadel - a small fortified
city in the heart of Victoria that dates
back to the Bronze Age around 1500BC. Among
many natural attractions, the Azure Window
rises from the sea to form a giant natural
rock arch framing a distant cliff, and a
visit to the megalithic Ggantija Temples
will get one wondering about the mystifying
origins of this compelling nation.
Information
Images: Roy Watts and Malta
Tourism Authority:
www.visitmalta.com Phoenicia
Hotel:
http://www.phoeniciamalta.com
Palace Hotel:
http://www.thepalacesliemahotel.com
Guide: Darrell Azzopardi
dazman@onvol.net Speedboat
charters: Kevin Vella at Galaxy Charters
http://www.galaxy-charters.com
