Latest news with #KnightsofSt.John
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Inside beautiful city named Europe's hottest just 3 hours from UK
One city in Malta has earned the titled at the hottest place in Europe, but this UNESCO World Heritage Site is packed with museums and galleries where travellers can keep cool and soak in the culture Heatwave after heatwave, the title for Europe's hottest city changes hands, but there might finally be a clear frontrunner. 101 Holidays has just named the hottest places in Europe, with one city in Malta coming out on top. According to the travel inspiration site, Valletta is the hottest place in Europe with an average daily temperature of 22.3°C. Coming in at a close second and third are Athens and Rome with annual average temperatures of 22°C and 21.4°C respectively. Valletta is Malta's capital city easily recognisable by its Baroque architecture and fortified walls which rise up against a Mediterranean backdrop. Valletta's walls are jam-packed with history, fine restaurants and cultural spaces that can be explored in the sun all year round. In fact, Valletta enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine each year so travellers can pack T-shirts and shorts no matter when they visit. Given that the capital is only a three-hour flight from the UK, it makes for a convenient escape for rainy and harsh British winters. The city was built by the famous Knights of St. John - also known as the Knights Hospitaller - who arrived in the country around 1530. While there, the Knights developed numerous palaces and churches, considered some of the finest works of architecture in the region today. While the grid-plan of the city was built in defensive military style, it is also undeniably impressive and features an ornate baroque style. Today, Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of its most remarkable landmarks is the St. John's Co-Cathedral. The cathedral is adorned with beautiful frescoes and barrel-vaulted ceilings and is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. Built in the 1570s, it is perhaps one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Europe and the most visited church in all of Malta. Another must-visit landmark is MUZA - Maltese for 'inspiration' - which is the National Museum of Art. It forms part of Heritage Malta, the National Agency for museums, conservation practice and cultural heritage. In 2025,the President of Malta informed Heritage Malta that she would be granting her patronage to the second edition of the Malta Biennale - to be held in 2026. The Biennale will run from March 11 to May 29, 2026. The Malta Biennale will once again take place in museums and historical sites managed by Heritage Malta, across Valletta, Birgu, Xagħra and Ċittadella in Gozo. Currently, there is an international open call for artist participation in the upcoming edition, with proposals pouring in from all over the world and already topping 100 in number. The Biennale is just one of the many Valletta events to look forward to. The Baroque Music Festival in January and the February carnival, are also big draws for the city. Additionally, there is an opera week in spring and on the banks of the Grand Harbour is a summer Jazz festival each year.
Buzz Feed
15-05-2025
- Buzz Feed
Perfect Long Weekend Escape To This Greek Island
We all love to travel, right? But let's be honest, most of us don't always have the luxury of taking two weeks off to unwind on some remote island. So what's the best destination to satisfy your wanderlust on a tight timeline? One word: Rhodes. If you don't know, Rhodes is one of Greece's many stunning islands. Known for its ancient history, beautiful beaches, buzzing nightlife, and warm hospitality, Rhodes is a dreamy all-rounder destination. Whether you're a history nerd, beach bum, foodie, or partygoer, you'll find something here to obsess over. So if you've only got a long weekend to spare and you're after a solid mix of beach, culture, food, and yes — a little party or two — here's how to make the most of your time on this Greek gem: It's illegal to visit Greece without visiting an ancient at least it should be It would be a crime to visit Greece and not dip into its rich mythological history. So do just that by visiting the Acropolis of Rhodes. Built around the 2nd to 3rd century BC, this ancient wonder housed a Temple of Apollo, a sports stadium, a theatre, and a gymnasium — basically, all the ingredients for a good don't have to be a lover of history to know a view like this is hard to come by. Beach Day on a Greek Island? Obviously. It's not a proper Greek island trip without at least one beach day, and in Rhodes, there are almost too many to choose from! So I would recommend Anthony Quinn Bay. Yes, it's a bit of a hotspot and has made every top beaches list, but it's for good reason. Think crystal-clear turquoise water, a rocky shoreline that feels like it belongs in a film, and enough chill spots to set up for the whole even a cosy beach bar just a few steps away, serving up very good margaritas! Perfect for washing your worries at least pressing pause on them. Kill Two Birds with One Stone in the Medieval City Rhodes isn't just about the beach, it's also home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Medieval City of Rhodes. Built by the Knights of St. John in the 14th century, this is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in through cobbled streets, admire Gothic architecture, and imagine a time of knights, crusaders, and castle intrigue. The best part? The city is still very much alive, with residents, shops, restaurants, and cafés bringing it into the modern day. It's history, with a side of iced coffee and retail therapy. Cocktails and Dancing — Because Why Not? After soaking in all that medieval culture, you'll deserve a drink (or three). Just outside the old city walls is Elli World — an Instagrammable spot that, for once, actually lives up to the aesthetic. Think chic sunbeds, refreshing cocktails, and sea views that will make you forget about your if you want to keep the night going and dance off the day's history lessons, head to 10GR Wine Bar & Restaurant. It turns into a vibey little spot in the evening with music, good wine, and a relaxed party atmosphere that's just right for a casual boogie. Location, Location, Location When you're on a time-limited trip, where you stay is everything. You don't want to spend half your weekend in taxis, and you don't want to blow your budget on getting from place to place. That's why I recommend Cook's Club on the island's northwest coast, just 15 minutes from Rhodes Town and around 25 minutes from Anthony Quinn Bay, it's perfectly positioned for quick access to the best beaches, nightlife, and historic sites. Plus, adults-only and has a pool that demands an afternoon Aperol spritz. And there's nothing wrong with just a pool day I know this post is about maximising your time on a short sometimes you just need to lie next to the pool. Holidays are for learning new things, but they're also for relaxing, and you can't have a good pool day without a good hotel that has a pool, with great music and even better food, which is why again I'll recommend Cook's Club Ialysos Rhodes is the kind of destination that gives you a little bit of everything, without the need to use up all your annual leave. So if you're looking for a quick escape that blends relaxation, history, food, and fun, consider this your sign to book the flight. Don't forget your sunscreen — and maybe brush up on some Greek mythology before you go.
Observer
14-02-2025
- General
- Observer
A jewel of a novel that's skillfully structured, brilliantly visualised
While arranging the books in my father's library, I came across a novel that I was gifted a long time back and totally forgot about. It was called The Shadow of God: A Novel of War and Faith by Anthony A. Goodman (2002) and was gifted to me by my brother almost twenty years ago. At the time, I thought the book was bulky in size and lost interest in reading it. I shelved it in the hope that I'd read it one day and this day had finally arrived! I started it and it took me a month to finish as I was busy in between with the usual summer headache of kittens being dumped at my doorstep and the hard work that came along with it. The novel is set in the Ottoman empire era and starts with the death of Sultan Selim I in 1520 and the succession of his son Sulieman I — also known as the Magnificent and the Lawgiver — who is one of the most famous Islamic sovereigns of all times. Sultan Sulieman decides to start his reign by invading the island of Rhodes, a conquest that his grandfather Mehmet II failed to achieve in 1480 and died a year later. Rhodes had been occupied by the Knights of St. John — the last crusaders expelled from Acre in 1290 — for the past 200 years and who were a nuisance to the Ottoman commerce routes in the Aegean Sea. The Ottomans knew that it would be a hard endeavour and went prepared with a fleet of more than 300 ships and a force of 75,000 soldiers. At the time, there were only 700 knights on the island and their Grandmaster Philippe Villiers de L'Isle-Adam asked for backup forces from other Christian countries but only the Venetians responded to his plea. The Knights prepared for the siege by destroying fertile lands and placing a huge chain in the harbour to stop the Ottoman ships from entering. The Ottomans began by bombarding the outer walls of the city with cannons before digging tunnels under the wall. After six months of siege, the knights surrendered and departed with their followers to Crete in January of 1523 (502 years ago exactly!). Both sides suffered heavy losses in lives. Most of Goodman's characters are based on real people that existed and took part in the siege. The few fictional ones are added to familiarise readers with warfare atmosphere, such as the couple Jean and Melina who worked in the hospital as nurses during the siege; their diminishing hopes and growing fears are shared as they watch their city slowly fall in the hands of the Ottomans with the infamous reputation of killing and enslaving their enemies. Goodman – who's an American MD — displays his vast knowledge vividly in hospital scenes where he describes medieval procedures used by doctors at the time to treat wounds and amputate limbs. As for real characters, he keeps alternating chapters between the two camps as the personas discuss their offense and defence plans, the short-lived glories and setbacks, the difficulties that both camps face with shortage of resources and weather change. The reader is engrossed in every scene as Goodman demonstrates an unbiased perspective of both warring camps' motive for trying to occupy Rhodes, while the native's opinion doesn't matter at all as they switch one invader for another. An interesting fact is that the author visited Rhodes in 1982 and was fascinated by its rich history. After twenty years of research and writing, this jewel of a novel came out that's skillfully structured, brilliantly visualised. A must-read.
