Malta is a tiny island country in the Mediterranean with a major historical background, reflected in its honey-coloured stone architecture. It sits within an important region in the eastern Mediterranean that has attracted many great empires, and is full of historical sites and museums, from prehistoric temples to baroque cathedrals.
Valletta: An unforgettable city
Valletta is a tiny peninsula packed with historical buildings and a real injection of history. Here are the most popular spots that every visitor must see:
- Grand Master's Palace: Located on Palace Square, Grand Master's Palace was one of the first buildings constructed in Valletta in 1571. The palace was originally designed by Gelormu Cassar and later expanded to house the Grand Masters. Visitors are welcome to take a look around the luxurious state rooms and Palace Armoury, which has an extraordinary display of antique weaponry.
- Fort St. Elmo: At the tip of Valletta's breakwater, Fort St. Elmo is a major 16th-century military fortification that was important to Malta's defence (not so much against naval forces as against land forces) during the Great Siege of 1565. Visitors are able to stroll the parapets and bastions and step inside the National War Museum, which highlights Malta through both World Wars.
- National Museum of Archaeology: Located in Valletta, the National Museum of Archaeology showcases various artifacts from the Maltese Neolithic (5000 BC) to the Phoenician period (400 BC). The museums also give information about the prehistoric temple sites and the early civilizations of the island.
There’s more to Malta than Valletta: Other hidden historical sights
Outside of Valletta, Malta has many historical places worth visiting:
- The Three Cities: Located just across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, the Three Cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua are a set of fortified towns. The locations were beacons when the Great Siege of 1565 threatened Malta's defences. Visitors will learn about Malta's maritime and military history by exploring Fort St. Angelo in Vittoriosa, the Inquisitor's Palace, and St Lawrence Church in Senglea.
- St Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina: The Roman Catholic cathedral stands on the ground where, legend has it, Governor Publius greeted Saint Paul following his shipwreck near the Maltese shore. The Cathedral was designed by Lorenzo Gafa and constructed between 1697 and 1702, replacing a ruined Norman cathedral that was destroyed in 1693.
- Ġgantija temples: The Ġgantija temples are on Gozo and are older than the pyramids of Egypt (over 5,000 years old)!
Malta is a historical treasure trove. However, today, it is one of Europe's most contemporary and fastest-growing nations, with extensive infrastructure investments and a thriving economy. Malta has also become a hub for online lottery and casinos, which appeal to some tourists here.
The national museums, such as the National Museum of Fine Arts and the Malta Maritime Museum, give perspective to the culture and identity of Malta.
So, have you ever visited Malta? Which historic sites and museums have visited? Tell us all about your experience – we’d love to hear about it.