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The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I explored the tiny European country with underground cities and little-known islands
REACHING for my umpteenth honey and date fritter, I joked that I would have to use the hotel gym after our incredible meal. But my host clutched her pearls and gasped: 'No, no. You have to forget about the gym in Malta, my love.' 4 The colourful, quaint cafes in Valetta's old town in Malta Credit: Getty 4 The Azure Window on the Maltese island of Gozo Credit: Getty Malta derives its name from the Greek word meaning 'place of honey' — fitting, for somewhere I was quickly realising might be Europe's most underrated culinary utopia. And with underground cities, little-known islands and mysterious temples, I would soon discover this wasn't the only surprise Malta had in store. As the sun set over Ta' Cicivetta farm, we were prepared a feast of traditional dishes, all using ingredients sourced from the garden we stood in. This tiny Read More on Travel In one dinner, we could taste the different cultures that have called Malta home over the centuries — Italian in the ricotta parcels and focaccia, Arabian in the date-based sweets and bigilla (a hummus-like dip made from beans), Spanish in the bread rubbed with tomato and drizzled in olive oil. Equally intriguing, however, was how easy it is to come across a full English on this faraway archipelago. The British stopped ruling Malta in 1964, but they left behind a love for this breakfast along with other cultural footprints such as UK plugs, driving on the left and speaking English (an official language here alongside Maltese). I got used to the unexpected sight of red telephone boxes on the streets of cities like Mdina, an ancient fortress which otherwise looked like something out of Game Of Thrones. Most read in City breaks Mdina's winding lanes and picturesque plazas were actually used as King's Landing in the HBO series, and our guide, Audrey, would occasionally hold up a scene on her phone to prove it. But Malta has seen real battles that make Starks vs Lannisters look like a tea party. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival The country was heavily bombed during the Second World War, forcing people to seek refuge in tunnels under the capital, We had already been given an introduction to Malta's fascinating past at Odyssey — an immersive history experience complete with special effects and rides — now, prepped with head-torches and hard hats, we explored this amazing subterranean network on a tour with Heritage Malta. Visitors walking Valletta's grand streets and enjoying €4 Aperol spritzes in its squares seemed to have no idea what lay beneath their feet — understandable, as the city's ground-level attractions are impressive enough. These include the 16th-century cathedral (home to one of Caravaggio's most famous paintings, The Beheading of St John the Baptist), the Upper Barrakka Gardens with sweeping views over the harbour, and the stunning Grandmaster's Palace, all within walking distance of each other. In fact, pretty much all distances on this island are extremely manageable, especially from where we stayed in St. Julian's. It's a great base for exploring Malta by car, and a stay at the Hyatt Regency there makes coming back after a day of activities almost as appealing as heading out. 4 Tuck into a feast of traditional dishes at the Hyatt Credit: Hyatt 4 The Sun's Nuria Cremer-Vazquez loved the island Credit: Nuria The luxury hotel has pristine sea-view rooms with balconies, as well as a heated rooftop pool, spa facilities and a gym (for anyone who does wish to burn off those honey and date fritters). Its rooms are also triple-glazed so, despite St. Julian's being Malta's nightlife capital, we didn't have to worry about our five-star sleep being disturbed by revellers. Awe-inspiring A short drive from the hotel is the port of Cirkewwa, the jumping-off point for visiting Malta's sister islands, Gozo and Comino, and we were lucky enough to have Audrey — a proud Gozitan — showing us around her home isle. Gozo is an unassuming patch of land with a smaller population than Dover, yet it is home to the awe-inspiring Ggantija temples — megalithic structures that are older than the pyramids. Its vibrant capital, Victoria, is another must-visit, and on a clear day you can even see There is plenty to do beyond sightseeing. At Il-Wileg restaurant, you can try your hand at making the authentic Gozitan cheese, which is served all over Malta, under the watchful eye of a local chef — or you can take an idyllic tuk-tuk ride around the island. We rounded off our day trip with a memorable dinner at L-Istorja, set inside the lavish Kempinski Hotel. It serves the rich tapestry of Maltese cuisine with a gourmet twist but without the fine-dining cost — so you might as well order the gold-leaf-coated gnocchi and knock back a few Gozitan wines. Gozo has much of what makes Malta so special — stunning citadels, mind-blowing food, budget-friendly prices, and glittering turquoise sea — though it has noticeably fewer tourists, giving it a more relaxed, off-the-beaten-track feel. The ferry takes 25 minutes and costs less than €5, and you only pay on the return journey. Technically, if you chose to stay, the journey would be free — and you could certainly be forgiven for never wanting to leave. GO: MALTA & GOZO GETTING THERE: easyJet has a new flight route from Southend to Malta and prices start at £27 one way. See STAYING THERE: King bedrooms at the 5H Hyatt Regency Malta cost £180 per night. See OUT AND ABOUT: Heritage Malta offers tours of Underground Valletta from £13 for adults and £8 for kids. See Ta' Cicivetta farm is available for visits. See @ta_cicivetta_farm. Odyssey tour from £21 for adults and £11 for children. See Il-Wileg restaurant offers traditional cooking experiences. See L-Istorja is an upscale restaurant celebrating the cuisine of Malta and Gozo. See
Japan Times
01-05-2025
- General
- Japan Times
Lost and found history receives glittering homecoming at Osaka Expo
In 2015, an unusual discovery was made in Malta's capital city, Valletta: forgotten samurai armor from Japan. This find kicked off a period of painstaking restoration resulting in the armor's shiny debut at the Expo 2025 in Osaka. 'We were restoring our Grand Master's Palace when our Heritage Malta (a national agency for museums and cultural heritage) colleagues uncovered this huge box,' Josephine Farrugia, deputy commissioner general of the Malta Pavilion, tells The Japan Times. 'Inside, they found armor that was completely different from anything else we had.' At that point, the ambassador of Malta to Japan, Andre Spiteri, stepped in, recognizing the find as Japanese samurai armor. 'I had no idea that such armor was in Malta,' Spiteri says. Spiteri spearheaded the investigation into the armor's origin, which revealed that it had been gifted to the former British governor of the island in 1862 by the Bunkyu Mission, the first Japanese embassy to Europe, led by the samurai lord Takenouchi Yasunori. The gift had been on display within the Grand Master's Palace, a 16th-century edifice that currently serves as the office of the president of Malta, until World War II, when it was boxed up and hidden underground for safekeeping during relentless aerial attacks that went on for two years. The Bunkyu Mission, the first Japanese embassy to Europe, gifted three sets of armor to the former British governor of Malta in 1862. | Irina Babanova Forgotten for nearly half a century in storage and exposed to humidity, the armor had degraded substantially by the time it was rediscovered. To restore it to its full glory, Spiteri and Heritage Malta worked with Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to transport the armor to Kyoto where it was placed in the care and expertise of Miyaobi, a Kyoto-based company for dealing and repairing antiques. 'I was aware that it was very valuable and important armor,' says Harumasa Miyashita, president and representative director of Miyaobi. 'My philosophy is to bring buried history back to life, and when I was offered the opportunity to restore and revive the armor, I felt it was my mission to do so. "I hope that the display of the armor will encourage the people of both countries to become more interested in one another." Miyaobi's artisans revealed yet another surprise. 'After classification, we discovered a third armor, where we thought there were only two sets,' Spiteri says. 'Also, details in the construction, materials and insignia confirmed the armor's authenticity and suggested connections to prominent samurai families.' The story of the restoration was documented by visual artist and director Irina Babanova in her documentary, 'Forging Bonds: The Samurai Armor Restoration.' 'I heard about this project from a friend of mine who was involved as a facilitator, connecting Maltese officials with local artisans. When I learned more, I knew I wanted to be involved,' Babanova says. 'This restoration fascinated me not only because of the artistry involved, but also its deep historical and diplomatic significance.' Babanova was able to capture the restoration work as the artisans carefully gave the armor its old shine back. The documentary is currently slated to premiere at the Malta Pavilion this summer (the date is to be announced). While two of the three suits of armor currently remain in storage in Kyoto, one is now on display at the Malta Pavilion at the Expo. Chika Horiki, a team leader at the Malta Pavilion, who spent time studying in Malta, says that the armor is more than 'just an object' to her. 'When I see it on display, I feel that it carries with it invisible gifts: the thoughts of all those involved, the shared history and the friendship between our two countries,' Horiki says. 'To be able to see such a meaningful item here at the Malta Pavilion fills me with a deep sense of awe and gratitude.' To show the military history and craft of both countries, the samurai armor is presented alongside armor worn by a knight of the Order of St. John, a Catholic lay religious order that ruled Malta from 1530 to 1798. 'At first glance, many visitors perceive the display simply as a comparison between Maltese armor and Japanese armor,' Horiki says, 'However, once they hear the explanation — that the armor was actually gifted to Malta from Japan and has been preserved there for many years — they are visibly surprised and often begin taking photos right away.' While two of the three rediscovered suits of armor currently remain in storage in Kyoto, one is now on display at the Malta Pavilion at the 2025 Expo in Osaka. | Laura Pollacco The armor will also be front and center for the Malta Pavilion's National Day on July 17, which coincides with Japan and Malta celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations. 'We have the highest statesmen from Malta attending the Expo for our National Day,' Farrugia says. 'We are currently in the process of planning cultural programs where we will continue to promote the collaboration of Maltese and Japanese artists.' Once the Expo is over, the armor will return to Malta. 'We will be taking the armor back in a much more glorious state,' Farrugia says. 'We are already preparing a spot in the Grand Master's Palace for it. However, we are still not excluding the idea of keeping the armor here (in Japan) for a little longer, working with the collaborations we are developing here at the Expo.' For Spiteri, the samurai armor serves as a symbol of the relationship and long history between the two island countries. '(It is) a cultural bridge, strengthening mutual appreciation and sparking renewed interest in historical and academic exchange between the two countries,' he says. 'It will stay (in Malta) for visitors and future generations to appreciate.'
