Malta is so drenched in history that simply walking around is like taking a trip back in time. But if we had to choose, these are five absolutely must-visit places for those who love their history.
The Megalithic Temples
For history lovers, it's worth starting at the Megalithic Temples. In all, seven prehistoric temples are found throughout Malta and Gozo, qualifying as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The temples were built during three periods between 3,600 BC - 700 BC and are the oldest free-standing structures on earth. The temples include Ggantija (two temples), Ta' Hagrat, Skorba, Hagar Qim, Mnajdra and Tarxien temples.
Hal-Saflieni Hypogeum
Among the best preserved examples of the Maltese temple building culture and dating back to the Saflieni phase during 3,300 – 3,000 BC, the Hypogeum of Hal-Saflieni is a Neolithic subterranean structure located in Paola. Literally meaning "underground" in Greek, the Hypogeum is thought to have been a sanctuary and necropolis, with the remains of more than 7,000 individuals documented by archeologists.
Mdina
Also known as The Silent City, Mdina served as Malta's capital from antiquity to the medieval period. The city was founded by Phoenician settlers in the 8th century BC, and remained the capital of Malta throughout the Middle Ages, until the arrival of the Order of St John in 1530, when Birgu became the administrative centre of the island. Later on, Mdina acquired several Baroque features, but it still retains its medieval character to this day. Just walking around the streets of the city is a trip back in time, but worth visiting there is The Mdina Experience, The Mdina Dungeons, and the National Museum of Natural History at Palazzo Vilhena. Just outside Mdina is 'the suburb' of Rabat, which is home to whole host of different chapels and palazzos also worth seeing.
The Three Cities (aka Cottonera)
The Three Cities is a collective description for the three fortified cities of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua, also described as Cottonera. The current city of Birgu dates back from the time of the Order of Saint John, and was chosen as Malta's capital city instead of Mdina upon the arrival of the Order in 1530. During the Great Siege of Malta of 1565, the cities were attacked, and in the aftermath of the siege, the city of Valletta was built, becoming Malta's new capital in 1571. During World War II, the Three Cities were heavily bombed by the Italians and Germans, and were rebuilt in the 1950s and 1960s. It's easy to find instances of authentically rustic Maltese life in the side streets of the Three Cities, and there are also areas of great historical interest, such as the Maritime Museum, Fort Saint Angelo, and Inquisitor’s Palace.
Valletta
Malta's current capital city, and also European capital city of culture, Valletta, contains buildings from the 16th century onwards, built during the rule of the Order of St John, also known as Knights Hospitaller. Essentially Baroque in character, the city was heavily bombed during World War II, leaving major scars. The city's fortifications, consisting of bastions, curtains and cavaliers, as well as Baroque palaces, gardens and churches make it a unique gem of a city, particularly for those who love history. For a good overall feel of Maltese history, visit The Malta Experience to go back 7,000 years with an audio-visual show. Beyond that, Valletta is absolutely abundant with places to visit: Saint John's Co-Cathedral, National Museum of Archaeology, Casa Rocca Piccola, National War Museum, Auberge De Castille and the Grandmaster’s Palace, amongst so many others.
If you're hungry for history and still have some time on your hands, make sure to check out these top 10 must visit historical sites, according to the CEO of Heritage Malta - Malta's national agency for museums, conservation practice and cultural heritage. Enjoy!