Malta
THE FASCINATING HISTORY OF THE MALTESE ISLANDS
Lying at strategic crossroads between Europe and Africa, Malta is a meeting point of cultures and languages at then heart of the Mediterranean.
Around 4.000 B.C a group of late stone-age Sicilian farmers settled in Malta: they were the first Maltese!
As the Maltese islands have fine natural harbours, they were colonized around 700 B.C by the Phoenicians who ruled them until 218 B.C., following which they fell to a Roman Republic and were acquired by the Byzantines in the 6th century A.D.
The Byzantines were ousted by the Arabs whose domination spans for two centuries between 870 and 1091 when Norman Count Roger of Sicily attacked the island and paved the way for re-Christianization of Malta.
THE KNIGHTS OF MALTA
In 1530, Charles V of Spain (then ruler of Malta as King of Sicily) gave Malta as a base to the military order of the Knights of St John.
The Templars ruled the islands between 1530 and 1798.
They brought new technologies and techniques for farming, fishing and shipbuilding and brought great prosperity to the islands.
The impact of their presence is still highly visible today: magnificent fortifications including the famous fort St. Angelo (the islands were constantly under threat from pirates and invading armies), the foundation of Valletta, churches (St John’s cathedral with paintings from Caravaggio) and lavish baroque palaces.
Templars’ uniforms were white and red which were also the colours of Sicily’s Count Roger’s coat of arms and now the colours of the Maltese flag.
THE FRENCH – THE BRITISH – THE REPUBLIC OF MALTA
In 1798 The Grand Master surrendered to Napoleon.
The French were expelled in 1800 in favour of the British who by 1813 declared Malta as a Crown Colony.
During WW II, due to its strategic position, Malta suffered heavy bombing and many casualties.
Independence was granted in 1964 and in 1974 Malta became a Republic.
THE MALTESE ARCHIPELAGO
The Maltese archipelago comprises five islands, Malta, Gozo, Comino and two uninhabited islets Cominotto and Fifla.
Malta (the largest) lies approximately 60 nautical miles from Southern Sicily.
It also has 10 marinas including the spectacular Grand Harbour Marina.
The Maltese flag is very popular with yachts.
Malta’s international airport makes it easy to start or finish a yacht charter and visit the island.
There is plenty to see in Malta if you like history and architecture !
Stroll in Valletta narrow streets with their typical wooden balconies that indicated the wealth and social standing of a family in the past.
Visit St John’s Cathedral and the Grand Master’s Palace, the Armoury Museum, Palazzo Vilhena built in 1726 a prime example of French Baroque design, Teatru Manoel (built in 1731 by Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena), Fort St Elmo, the National Museum, Grand Harbour as well as the Three Cities especially Birgu now called Vittoriosa where the Knights settled upon their arrival in 1530.
A must-see inland is the fortified city of Mdina ‘the Silent City’ the seat of the Municipal Government during the medieval period.
COMINO AND COMINOTTO
The coastline of the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino is primarily rocky though there are sandy beaches such as Golden Bay and Mellieha Bay North of the island.
With a charter yacht, you will explore Malta’s dramatic coastline, head North and cross to the West side to reach the neighbouring small island of Comino to relax, swim and snorkel in Blue Lagoon.
Blue Lagoon is famous for its crystalline waters and its white sandy beach.
You may even swim cross to Cominotto, the small islet in front of Comino which also has a white sandy beach.
GOZO
A few miles off Comino, lies scenic Gozzo, Malta’s sister island, quieter, more fertile, more picturesque, more unspoilt.
How about a guided tour to visit the Citadel the ancient fortified city in the heart of Gozo?
You will find an archaeological museum and a unique and mysterious prehistoric megalithic complex, the Ggantija Archaeological Park – a Unesco World Heritage Site -with two structures built between 3.600 and 3.200 B.C.
Xwejni Bay and the Salt pans
On the northern side of Gozo, overlooking the open sea lies the Wejni Bay and close to it a curiosity: the Qbajjar and Xwejni salt pans. Weather permitting, the salt from Xejni is harvested from mid-May until the end of August.
Wied l-Għasri
On the northern side of Gozo, Wied l-Ghasri is a secluded inlet with towering cliffs.
It has a tiny pebble beach, stretches 250m inland and is popular with divers who like to explore thesurrounding underwater caves.
Dwejra Inland Sea
On the western coast of Gozo lies the ‘inland sea’ connected to the open Mediterranean Sea by a narrow channel surrounded by high cliffs and through a natural straight tunnel that leads to it;
A popular diving destination thanks to Blue Hole, a 10-meter inland sea pool.
Dwejra Bay & The Fungus Rock
On the western coast of Gozo, Dwejra Bay lies the Fungus Rock.
The Gozitans call it “ll-Gebla-tal-General”. The story has it that a Commander of the St George order discovered a shrub wrongly called the Malta Fungus with supposed healing properties.
FLAVOURS & TASTES OF MALTA
Typical Maltese dishes find their roots in the Mediterranean and Arab Cuisine and have therefore an intense and unique flavour.
Pastizzi: flubby pastry stuffed with ricotta cheese and peas
Spinach and tuna pie, stuffed aubergines
Sword fish grilled or al cartoccio (baked in a foil) with olive oil, lemon, salt, pepper and capers
Imqarrun il-Forn (macaroni baked with cheesy sauce)
As for sweets, like in Sicily, Kannoli and Cassata
WINES OF THE MALTESE ISLANDS
DOK Malta: red, white, rosé
Combined with other grape variety, the indigenous Gellewaza variety used for light reds give it a hint of prune and cherry, whilst the Girgentina brings nice acidity and delicate fruity hint to the white wines.
DOK Gozo: red, white, rosé
Gozitan wines have a unique taste thanks to the sea spray and night salty dew
Thinking of a yacht charter in Malta, please contact Blue-Trend, your yachting specialist. ▪▪▪