15 November 2023
How to get under the skin of Malta’s history and culture
From enthralling museums to intricate churches and delectable cuisine, Malta is brimming with history and culture.
From enthralling museums to intricate churches and delectable cuisine, Malta is brimming with history and culture.
Malta is the melting pot of the Mediterranean. The Phoenicians, Romans, the Knights of St. John, Napoleon and the British all had a hand in shaping the place and you’ll see the evidence of this diversity in all aspects of modern day Maltese life. For visitors, this fabulous archipelago’s multi-faceted heritage manifests itself in its varied architecture, fascinating museums and impressive array of churches. Throughout the year cultural events and festivals celebrate the country’s traditions.
Meanwhile, its delicious cuisine also reflects a fusion of disparate influences. The weather’s another plus. You can expect around 300 days of sunshine each year and a mild winter climate that makes a pleasant change from the dull British winter. Best of all, it’s easily within reach: Malta’s international airport is only a 3.5-hour flight from the UK and Ireland, making it an ideal choice if you’re running short on annual leave. Here’s why you should come.
Learn about the underground passageways beneath the Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta (Visit Malta)
Get acquainted with Malta’s history through its fascinating museums. In Valletta, the evocative exhibits and displays at the Lascaris War Rooms tell the story of Malta’s experience during World War Two. The British dug a series of underground passageways and rooms out of the rock beneath the city’s Upper Barrakka Gardens. They housed the island’s defensive operations, playing a vital role in the war effort. Hop on a bus to Mdina to visit the National Museum of Natural History. Housed in the sumptuous Palazzo Vilhena, its collections explore the island’s natural heritage, covering myriad topics including geology, ecology and paleontology.
On neighbouring Gozo, the Museum of Archaeology provides an insight into prehistoric life, showcasing sculptures from Ġgantija Temple and the ix-Xagħra Circle burial site. A 12th-century marble tombstone helps explain the island’s Arab cultural heritage. Nearby, you’ll find the Gozo Nature Museum. Among its more unusual exhibits are fragments of rock retrieved from the moon’s surface by the crew of Apollo II and gifted to Malta by the American government.
MUŻA's exhibitions span various centuries, geographies and forms of artistic expression (Visit Malta)
Art lovers will find inspiration in Malta’s diverse galleries. Begin at MUŻA in Valletta. The name references the artist’s desire for a muse; it’s also an acronym for Mużew Nazzjonali tal-Arti. Its impressive collection embraces artistic expression in its broadest sense. Pieces span the period between the 15th and early 21st Century, broadly following four themes: Mediterranean, Europe, Empire and The Artist. A short walk away on Republic Street is Palazzo de la Salle, where the Malta Society of the Arts is based. Consult local listings for their upcoming exhibition and concert programme.
Also in the capital, check out a former abattoir known locally as Il-Biċċerija l-Antika. The 17th-century building has been reimagined as a creative space and houses the Valletta Design Cluster. As a legacy project from Valletta’s stint as European Capital of Culture in 2018, the place stages regular exhibitions and cultural events. Meanwhile, Art Box on Gozo focuses on modern art. It showcases the work of local and expat artists in its indoor and outdoor galleries.
The St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, designed in the 16th Century (Visit Malta)
More than 90% of Malta’s population identify as Catholics, and there are more than 350 churches scattered around the country. One of the most important is St John’s Co-Cathedral, designed in the 16th Century by Maltese architect Girolamo Cassar on behalf of the Knights of St John. Magnificent paintings, including works by Caravaggio, and tapestries depicting the life of Christ, line the walls of its splendid Baroque interior. Just around the corner, St Paul’s Collegiate Church commemorates the shipwreck that brought the apostle to Malta. A wooden statue of St Paul is paraded through the streets annually each February.
Beyond the city, St Lucy’s Chapel in Għaxaq dates from the 16th Century; its understated simplicity has an enduring appeal. It’s also worth seeking out the Parish Church of St Catherine in Żurrieq. This Baroque beauty was completed in 1658. In Gozo, don’t miss St George’s Basilica (San Ġorġ), known to locals as the Golden Church. Clad in marble and gold stucco, its glittering exterior is one of Victoria’s must-see sights.
Ħaġar Qim is a megalithic temple and masterpiece (Visit Malta)
Settlement in this part of the Mediterranean can be traced back more than 7,000 years. Among the many archaeological sites to explore, you’ll find ancient cart ruts most likely dating back to the Bronze Age and seven megalithic temples which together were recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. The most important is the Ġgantija Temple complex on Gozo, which comprises two impressive Neolithic limestone temples. The Skorba Temples, located on the outskirts of Mġarr, also predate Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza by more than a millennium.
Nearby at Ta' Ħaġrat, archaeological excavations revealed that there had once been a village near this site’s two limestone temples. Meanwhile, the unique architecture of the ruins at Malta’s Haġar Qim, Mnajdra and Tarxien provides a compelling reason to visit; at Borġ in-Nadur, a well-preserved temple overlooks St George’s Bay. Finally, be sure to visit the St Paul’s Catacombs, a series of interconnected cemeteries dating back to the Phoenician-Punic era. This burial ground is the earliest evidence of Christianity in the country.
Maltese cuisine is a melting pot of flavours and fresh produce (Visit Malta)
Maltese cuisine has been heavily influenced by its Mediterranean neighbours and those who once occupied its territory. Stuffat tal-Fenek (braised rabbit) is a slow-cooked stew that’s widely considered Malta’s national dish. Another staple is Lampuki pie. Tomatoes, onions and olives give this delicious fish pie its distinctive flavour. Kapunata, the Maltese answer to ratatouille, goes big on aubergines, tomatoes and peppers; it’s served hot or cold, sometimes with bread (hobż). Braġoli is often called ‘beef olives’, though these tasty stuffed rolls of beef don’t contain olives at all. Save room for dessert, such as kannoli – crispy pastry shells crammed with sweetened, creamy ricotta.
Finding a traditional Maltese restaurant isn’t hard. In Valletta, reserve a table at rustic, cosy Legligin. Its tasting menus celebrate traditional home-cooking. Alternatively, seek out Rubino, founded in 1906 and lately the recipient of a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Other authentic options include Ta’ Cris in Sliema and Tal-Petut in Birgu. Still peckish? Snack on pastizzi – pastries filled with ricotta or peas – the island’s most popular street food.
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