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 The gap that won the seige by ray_d
Otherwise known as Vittoriosa (The Victorious City)
Birgu is the oldest fortress-city in Grand Harbour. The historic Fort St. Angelo guards its point.
The word ‘Birgu’ is a mis-prounation and of the word 'Pirgos' (Castle by the water) in Greek. After the Siege of 1565 against the Ottoman Turk, it was renamed Vittoriosa however the Maltese name remains Birgu.
Although battered and reduced to bare rubble and corpses, Birgu was the only fortification, not taken by the Turk.
This vicious battle sapped the strength of the both protagonists but never again was the Turk ever able to threaten Christian Europe again.
Although harmed critically by Axis Air-raids WWII, it was rebuilt as a magnificently testimony to the resilience of the rock and its people.
Here you will find a Maritime Museum, the famous Fort St. Angelo, a unique Clock Tower, the Church of St. Lawrence and Auberges by the bucketful. Leave a Comment
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 The Main Altar by ray_d
Built by the Knights of the order of St. John in 1573.
The second church for a new fortified city of Valletta.
A city built after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire.
The first church, a beautiful but nowhere near as lavish, still exists.
The second is unimaginable in splendor and a must to be experienced to be believed.
The floor is paved with Marble covers of tombs of Knights.
Each one, a work of Art. Each one a mosaic of funeral Art rarely seen and seldom better preserved.
Each alcove contains altars richly decorated in stone and precious metals.
Sponsored by families that were the power of the old Europe.
The Europe that was a world of city states where a family honour mattered more than survival.
Monuments of men who were the pillars of the order. Men who were members of a rare breed that populates written history lie ignored at every gilded nook and sculptured cranny.
The walls are worked marble and stone motifs. Decorated in somber hues and rich contrasting colours.
Detailed reliefs sculpture arches that tower in graceful frames surrounding frescoes and paintings of immense proportions.
Of course it is always your option to miss. However if you do it would be your regret if you have only visit to the island.
A Museum resides at the rear of the church.
Flemish Tapestries, Church vestments and most importantly of all:
The Beheading of St. John by Caravaggio. A work of Chiaroscuro that is an International Icon and probably the only signed Caravaggio in the world.
. Leave a Comment
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A temple of the dead hewn into solid rock; Mimicing the, above ground, temples of the living; Ochre spirals decorate some of the chambers and are thought to be a representation of a birth, death, rebirth-cycle.
It was first used around 3.600 BC. It is thought 7.000 people were buried here. When the first chambers became too small, they dug deeper into the stone.
The centre of the temple “the inner sanctum”, people may have gathered to give praise and offerings to their gods. The workmanship is of perfect architecture, before found only above ground!
You want to visit the Hypogeum, please book your tickets weeks before you travel via telephone or email, as only 80 people are allowed to visit per day. Leave a Comment Address: Burial Street, PaolaPhone: 2180 5019 or 2182 5579Directions: Between Valletta and Marsaxlokk you find Paola. When you go by bus, just ask the driver, where you should go out, then it's a few steps to the temples.Website: http://www.heritagemalta.org/hypogeum.html Other Contact: info@heritagemalta.org
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 Goodies by ray_d
Anything from clothes to fish is for sale.
Tuesday is the day. Each week hordes of villagers throng to this 2 Km strip.
Anything you need or don't lurks on stalls lying side by side on either side of the street with another row in the centre of the road.
As the market is more local than touristy, one gets a better view of the real life in Malta and meets the average local in their world.
The Market is located on Trieq il-Kottonera (Cottonera Road) in Bormla (Cospicua)
Bus Nos 1, 2, 4 & 6. Leave a Comment Address: Trieq il-Kottonera (Cottonera Road)Phone: NADirections: Just out of Cospicua, Trieq il-Kottonera (Cottonera Road) is between Cospicua and ZabbarWebsite: NA Other Contact: NA
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 3 rd rate ship. 1 st rate
museum by ray_d
The exhibits vary from stone anchors to metal ones from the dawn of seafaring to the period of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem.
A 3 metre Dockyard model of a 1800s 3 rd rate English Man-of-war takes pride of place on the lime-stone floor.
As well as gifts, photographs, weapons and models of ships and boats of wonderful complexity embellish the walls.
As well as various figure-heads from old sailing-ships. Leave a Comment Address: Xatt ir-Risq (Luck Wharf) VittoriosaPhone: NADirections: Busses 1,2,4 & 6 will take you there.Website: http://www.chevron.co.uk/p55.htm Other Contact: NA
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 Stairway to ..... by ray_d
Mdina was an uninspiring town in Roman times.
Later and until the early 1500s, it was built into a city at the time Arabs ruled the land.
Fashions in Architecture changed its face constantly. Today is mainly in the Baroque fashion.
Everyone goes to Mdina but few see, few feel, few know that it is special for more than the decaying town they perceive during their visit.
The narrow streets provide air-currents to cool the worst of the island's heat.
High walls edge the streets adding shade to the pedestrians all day spare the mid-day hour.
Behind the high walls hide magnificent palaces, noble houses and churches that surprise you with their splendor.
Go there with an open mind.
Find a place that is somehow familiar to you. Close your eyes and experience history.
Go at night look over the battlements and experience spirituality.
Go there and just experience.
There are more senses to pleasure than the eyes.
And if you are lucky, more senses then the 5 most common to experience by. Leave a Comment
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 WEST SIDE OF COMINO by ROCKARIA
Comino enjoys fantastic clean clear blue sea and is a must to visit and swim in the spectacular bay of Blue Lagoon.The island itself is not very large and have one Hotel,one police station with one policeman and also 1 inhabitant.
Comino used to be a base for Arab pirates Laying in wait for a christian vessel crossing the islands or plying the Meditteranean sea Leave a Comment
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 Noise by ray_d
The word Zabbar comes from the plant Sabbara (Aloe Vera).
Before this present millennium, archaeological remains show it to be Roman in its foundation.
It is also known as Citta Hompesch, a name given by the grandmaster of that name.
Its patron Saint is Our Lady of Graces celebrated by a feast in September.
A difference to most feasts is a pilgrimage of 2 wheeled transport.
This festa may be one of the last that least panders to Touristy glitter.
The occasional punch-up between opposing band-supporters is an added attraction and a cute reminder of when things were simpler.
No Festa is ever dangerous but some die-hards over-indulge and create a little disturbance quickly controlled by police on the lookout for such silliness. Leave a Comment
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 by alusru
You can find more pictures on my travellogue about Mnajdra Temples. Leave a Comment Directions: By bus (or car if you dare to drive in Malta :o)) to the South West. Qrendi is in the South of the island and you find Mnajdra and Hagar Qim Temples here, only 600 meters from each other.Website: http://www.heritagemalta.org/mnajdratemples.html
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 Flea Market by ray_d
A charity is the premises for a flea market in the southern town of MarsaScala.
The original name of the village was probably Marsa Sqalli (Sicilian Bay).
A fishing village, now also known as a place for both local and foreign tourism.
At the top of the hill on Trieq Sant' Antnin (St. Anthony's street) the market starts at the crack of dawn until mid-day.
Each Sunday, locals bring out bits and bobs for making an extra Lira.
The pleasant thing about this market is that abundance of genuine junk is most impressive.
Bus No19 takes you there. Leave a Comment Address: At the top of the hill on Trieq Sant' AntninPhone: NADirections: Trieq Sant' Antnin (St. Anthony's street) is the main street running next to the playground.Website: NA Other Contact: NA
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