Learn More as You Spend Holidays to Malta
January 27th, 2012
A lot of fun places, powedery sand beaches, convenient accommodations, and adventure await you during your holidays to Malta. But aside these places of entertainment, there are various sites in Malta that will provide you an interesting and enlightening glance of the island nation’s culture. Drop by these historical and old sites when you are in Malta.
1. St John’s Co-Cathedral
St. John’s Co-Cathedral is a beautiful medieval cathedral that is featured in a painting done by world-renowned Italian artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. The interior of the structure boasts of spectacular high-Baroque architecture with very detailed carvings that decorate every wall. The vaulted ceiling features a painting that shows the life of St. John the Baptist. The cathedral is also famous for the 369 inlaid mosaic marble tombstones that dot the floor, tombstones that mark the resting places of past Grand Masters of the Order of St. John.
2. Three Cities
The walled cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea compose the heavily fortified conglomeration known as Three Cities. The cities feature beautiful churches, museums, and promontories. Visit the old Inns of the Knights of St. John, an old hospital built by the Order in 1672, and a well-preserved Benedictine covenant maintained by dedicated nuns. The Three Cities highly speak of the history, culture, and religion of Malta.
3. The Hypogeum
Head off to the suburb of Paolo and check out the ruins of a complex system of chambers that were carved into limestone. The ruins, called the Hypogeum, were believed to be a 5,000 year-old burial site, temple, and shelter during the ancient times. Archaeologists have been able to unearth statues, amulets, vases, and other items around the Hypogeum. The artifacts are presently displayed in the Archaeology Museum of Valleta, which is an important attraction in itself. The Hypogeum is declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
4. Ggantija Temples
Drop by the village of Xaghra where you can find twohuge and mysterious megaliths that pre-Phoenician Gozitans made into places of worship. Locals tell a story that a giantess named Sansuna transported these megaliths to the village. Marvel at the massive stone blocks and balls and ask yourself; how did the ancients construct these gigantic structures?
For educational and interesting holiday destinations to Malta, book your vacation through Travel Republic.
