Latest news with #LascarisWarRooms
Times
10-07-2025
- Times
Small island, big story: Malta's ancient temples, WWII forts and living history
The country wears its past proudly, but it is the everyday culture, food and warmth that truly shine Capital ideas: Valletta is compact but brimful of heritage spots, diverse dining and buzzing nightlife There are places you pass through and places that stay with you – Malta is firmly in the latter camp. This sun-bleached crossroads, sitting proudly in the middle of the Mediterranean, offers more than history. Here, the past is not a museum piece – it's a living, breathing companion. Militarily speaking, Malta has never been quiet. A speck in the sea, yes, but a stubborn, significant one. It's been coveted, besieged, blockaded and bombed since long before gunpowder. Victory Day here is celebrated on September 8, marking the end of multiple historic sieges. On this island with layers of resistance baked into its stone, it is the Second World War that left the deepest impression. A former British colony, Malta endured more than 3,000 air raids in two years – a brutal battering that earned the entire population the George Cross. Ancient history: the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is an incredible underground burial complex This isn't abstract history, it's tactile. You can see it in the blackened forts of Valletta, smell it in the diesel musk of old bunkers and feel it in the texture of buildings that somehow withstood all the attacks. To explore these significant times, begin with the Lascaris War Rooms, a honeycomb of underground planning spaces where Allied forces coordinated the 1943 invasion of Sicily. Move to Fort St Elmo, which resisted the Ottomans in 1565 and Luftwaffe bombers in 1942. Today, it houses the National War Museum, home to the George Cross, a wall of medals and other military artefacts. But Malta isn't just a fortress. Beneath the British bunkers lie the baroque palaces of the Knights of St John. And beneath those are the bones of civilisations that existed before the pyramids were even blueprints. You feel it everywhere – it's magical. Fighting talk: battles old and modern are remembered at the National War Museum in Fort St Elmo Malta's prehistoric Unesco-listed sites – Ġgantija, Haġar Qim, Mnajdra, Tarxien – are as alien as they are beautiful. Shaped in spirals and built with stones weighing up to 20 tonnes, they predate Stonehenge and remain mysterious, sacred-feeling places. The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is the most eerie: a subterranean burial chamber, discovered by accident, with acoustics so perfect a whisper carries like a prayer. Booking in advance is highly recommended. In Valletta, the Grandmaster's Palace, St John's Co-Cathedral, Casa Rocca Piccola and the Saluting Battery all stand as gateways to the past. Then suddenly you're in a wine bar with a jazz trio or eating grilled octopus under fairy lights, and the whole island shifts tone. Follow the leaders: the state rooms and armoury at the Grandmaster's Palace are open to the public With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, the country is a true year-round destination. Even spring and autumn feel like they've been kept secret – the crowds thinner, the light softer, the sea still warm enough for a morning swim. Winter is for coastal walks and long terrace lunches. And when the sun drops, the cities glow like firelit sandstone. For the restless, Malta offers movement without hassle. You can cross the main island by car in under an hour and never grow tired of the journey. Divers will find world-class wrecks, including wartime destroyers and downed bombers. There are more than 120 dive sites across Malta and its smaller sister islands of Gozo and Comino, with exceptional visibility and terrain ranging from natural coral-covered reefs to haunting artificial ones. Whether you're certified or just curious, local dive centres cater to all levels. Hidden depths: Malta offers exceptional diving with caves, reefs and wrecks accessible by shore or boat Above water, Gozo's rolling trails and the Dingli Cliffs offer hikers cinematic views and real solitude. Meanwhile, history buffs could explore Malta for a month and not run out of forts, catacombs, churches and palaces. If all you want is to sit still and admire – try a harbour cruise at sunset, glass in hand . Practicalities are easy too. Malta is three hours from the UK, English is widely spoken and they drive on the left. Accommodation spans boutique hotels, converted palazzos, farmhouse rentals and family resorts. Food is a highlight, with Arabic, Italian and British influences blending into dishes like rabbit stew, lampuki pie and sea bass spiked with citrus and capers. Pastizzi – flaky, ricotta-filled pastries – are an addiction waiting to happen. A fine feast: discover Malta's many gastronomic delights The country is also one of Europe's most LGBTQ+ friendly destinations, scoring top marks for safety and inclusivity. It doesn't just tolerate difference, it thrives on it. So come for the military history, stay for the temples, the terraces, the sea, the wine and the light. Malta has seen a lot, but it's still here – sun-warmed, generous and ready to write its next chapter. To delve deeper, check out the History Undone podcast on YouTube. Hosted by James Hanson, experts imagine how pivotal moments could have played out differently. Two episodes on Malta ask: 'What if the Ottoman Empire had conquered Malta in 1565?' and 'What if the Allies had failed to defend Malta in WWII?'
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
6 ways to explore Malta
With its Neolithic history and distinctive limestone landscapes, Malta may seem a destination drawn from the past. But if this resilient archipelago has learnt anything from its numerous occupations, it's to adapt. On the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino, centuries-old forts and grand historic palaces now sit side-by-side with modern fine dining restaurants and sleek waterfront promenades. Travellers today are beckoned to explore Malta's varied dive sites, hike through otherworldly landscapes or observe the host of international talent set to take the stage at the islands' assorted year-round festivals. With so many experiences to choose from, here are six not to miss. Malta's 300 days of sunshine a year mean the islands are ideal for outdoor activity — even in the winter, crisp, bright days make hiking the craggy coastlines rewarding. Traverse the historic Victoria Lines, a 7.5-mile path spanning the width of Malta and marked by 100-year-old artillery, trenches and forts. More industrious walkers should trek the 27-mile circumference of Gozo, where a coastal path winds through the pretty towns of Xlendi and Marsalforn, as well as the deep gorge of Wied il-Għasri and the limestone arch of Wied il-Mielaħ. Gozo's cliffs also offer climbing routes for all levels, from the novice-friendly slabs of Mġarr ix-Xini to the challenging Wall of Wonders in Zurrieq. Meanwhile, horse-riding, zip-lining and alpaca walking are equally entertaining ways to explore the islands' landscapes. Malta has become one of Europe's most celebrated diving destinations thanks to its fantastic underwater visibility, easily accessible dive sites and numerous shipwrecks. With crystal clear, warm waters almost all year, the islands are just as suited to learners as they are to technical divers looking to explore deep-lying treasures such as HMS Stubborn, a British submarine sunk in 1946. Gozo, in particular, draws divers with its stunning underwater topography and vast caverns — seek out deep caves like Billinghurst Cave on the north coast, the marine life of the famous Blue Hole in Dwejra and the long tunnel through cobalt ocean at the Inland Sea. All divers should add the striking swim-throughs of Comino's Santa Maria Caves to their 'must-dive' list, too. With over 7,000 years of human habitation, Malta, Gozo and Comino are home to some of the world's oldest freestanding man-made structures. Start at the UNESCO-listed Ġgantija Archaeological Park in Gozo, a 5,500-year-old Neolithic temple complex, before heading to Ħaġar Qim, a smaller megalithic site in Malta. Early settlers also created hidden treasures like the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, a subterranean sanctuary built around 3000 BCE. For more modern history, go to Malta's capital, Valletta, where you can explore the country's military past at the Lascaris War Rooms, Fort St Elmo and the Malta at War Museum, which features an immersive tour of the Second World War bunkers. Film fans will have spotted the honey-coloured streets, soaring cliffs and sparkling lagoons of Malta in numerous big-screen blockbusters. From the still-standing seaside village of Popeye to the Roman streets of Ridley Scott's Gladiator and the globe-trotting action of Munich, Malta's diverse landscapes make it a cinematic chameleon. Embark on a set-jetting road trip to take in the streets of Mdina (Game of Thrones), the robust fortifications of Fort Ricasoli (Troy and Assassin's Creed) and the honeymoon-worthy waters of Mġarr ix-Xini (By the Sea). And keep an eye out for more of Malta in Jurassic Park: Rebirth later this year. Maltese cuisine is packed with global influences. Over the centuries, a fusion of Arabic, Mediterranean and African flavours have combined here to produce dishes like braġjoli (stuffed beef rolls), bigilla (herb-infused bean paste) and pastizzi (pea- or cheese-filled pastries). Naturally, fish and other seafood feature prominently, too, particularly in the coastal village of Marsaxlokk, where visitors can tuck into crunchy, fried calamari and succulent lamuki, a seasonal white fish. Journey through the specialities by taking a cooking class, wine-tasting or food tour — or at restaurants ranging from hole-in-the-wall pastizzi shops to fine dining institutions. Recently, Le GV in Sliema was awarded its first Michelin star, joining a distinguished line-up of Michelin-starred restaurants in Malta. Simon Rogan's ION Harbour also retained its two Michelin stars. Few weekends go by in Malta without a town square being filled with live performances, dancing or music — and 2025 looks set to be no different. In April, athletic travellers should lace up their trainers for Run Gozo's fun series of races, while families can head to Springtime Fest at the National Park of Malta, for food trucks, market stalls and free children's activities. May provides an opportunity to get glammed up for Nabucco at Teatru tal-Opra Aurora on Gozo, while in the summer, festival-lovers can enjoy house music at Abode on the Rock and electronic beats at Glitch. Elsewhere, an International Arts Festival, Carnival, fireworks festival and kite flying festival fill the calendar. This is paid content for Visit Malta. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here.(Available in select countries only).
