Malta’s a country full of unique traditions – a good portion of which are fun games that have been played for centuries on end.

Perhaps one of the best-known traditional games is Il-Gostra, often played during hot summer days.

This tradition’s origin dates all the way back to the Middle Ages, and it’s still played in some seaside towns all over the islands to this very day.

Il-Gostra involves a wooden pole measuring between 10 to 16 metres with three flags attached at its end get erected over the sea.

One of the flags is blue and white, dedicated to St Mary, another is yellow and white, representing the Vatican, and the last one is the Belgian tri-colour (black, yellow, and red), dedicated to St Julian.

The pole is then covered in animal fat or grease and the player has to try their best to run or climb to the end of the pole and grab one of the flags before falling into the sea.

Il-Gostra is often played during Msida and St Julian’s’ villages festas in honour of St Joseph and St Julian.

History enthusiast John C. Navarro unearthed a striking image from the 1960s of Il-Gostra being played in St Julian’s.

One can see fishermen gathering around the pole in their boats to watch as a player is about to fall into the sea.

“While the sea looks the same, the building in the background has radically changed”, John wrote.

“This should become an Olympic sport”, an avid lover of the game added.

Have you ever seen a live game of Ġostra?

May Agius Collection, National Archives of Malta