Malta – A Brief Introduction

Few other countries can boast of so much history, architecture and beaches so concentrated in such a small area. Malta is perfect for travelers looking to take it easy for a fortnight, see most of the sights, but not travel too far.

The Maltese Islands cover a land area of ​​only 316 sq. km, smaller than the Isle of Wight in the UK, but slightly larger than Washington, DC There are three inhabited islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino, as well as two uninhabited islets, Cominotto and Filfla. They are located in the central Mediterranean Sea, 93 km. south of Sicily, 290 km. east of Tunis and 290 km. north of Libya. Malta’s small size allows the casual tourist to do a lot of sightseeing in a very short time. The recommended pace is slow and easy, especially in the hot summer months. Take your time to let history set in from the walls of Valletta or Mdina.

Malta has a fascinating history, and the island is packed with physical and cultural memories of the past, easily accessible to visitors. Malta was likely once connected to Sicily and southern Europe via a land bridge. This is due to the fossilized remains of various animals, including a type of elephant in a cave, Ghar Dalam.

The oldest freestanding structures in the world can be found on the Maltese Islands. These megalithic temples were built between 3600 and 2500 BC. C., almost 1000 years before the Great Pyramids!

Malta was originally settled by the Phoenicians, roughly between 800 and 218 BC. It was administered by Carthage, in present-day Tunisia, until its disappearance at Roman hands. You can still see the Phoenician influence in today’s Maltese society by the ever-present “eye of Osiris” painted on wooden fishing boats, called luzzi, to ward off evil spirits. The marble altar of St. Paul’s Cathedral in the ancient capital, Mdina, was built from the ruins of Carthage. One last reminder of the Phoenicians for today’s traveler is the glassblowing artisan using a technique perfected thousands of years ago at Ta’Qali Crafts Village.

Under Roman rule, Malta became a municipium (free city) and seems to have prospered through trade as an outpost of Roman Sicily. In AD 60, Saint Paul was shipwrecked on Malta and converted the local population to Christianity. As such, the Maltese rightfully claim to be one of the oldest Christian societies in the world. Maltese society is still heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic Church.

There are 64 Catholic parishes and 313 Catholic churches in Malta, and 15 Catholic parishes and 46 Catholic churches in Gozo. These range from full cathedrals to small wayside chapels that were built between the 15th and 20th centuries. Each parish has a lively festa or party that is a loud and colorful expression of worship. The party includes a parade by the local band club and a fireworks display. The party season extends throughout the summer. Over the last 250 years, a simple village festival has been transformed from one afternoon into a five-day spectacle. A trip to Malta is not complete without visiting one.