Malta is a small country located south of Italy, which explains the rich culture of the place because of the influence of neighboring cities. Its capital city offers a various treasures of history and art, where some of the great artists blossomed. Beautiful and timeless temples, catacombs, churches and museums are flaunting around the corners of this small, but beautiful place. Stroll at the lamp lit streets of Mdina at night to experience romantic ambiance. Never underestimate the food and other delicacies like the famous chocolate cake at the Fontanella Tea Room. Also, enjoy the beautiful view overlooking the numerous parks, where you could see the young locals playing around.
Important and Interesting Facts About Malta
- Calypso Cave in Malta is said to be the cave that Homer wrote about in The Odyssey. The cave itself isn’t all that great, but the views of the nearby beach are.
- Malta is situated in the Mediterranean Sea between Europe and North Africa (Sicily and Tunisia).
- Victoria, the capital of Gozo, is also known as Rabat. It’s famous for its beautiful Cittadella, which goes way back to the Middle Ages.
- Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, an underground necropolis, was excavated around 2,500 B.C.
- Comino, the smallest of the islands, is virtually uninhabited–save one hotel–and is carless. Blue Lagoon is its biggest attraction and it’s not hard to see why.
- Valletta, its current capital, is one of the most concentrated historical areas in the world, according to UNESCO.
- The 16th centuryVerdala Palace, is now the official summer residence of the President. It’s closed to the public except during the Ball of the August Moon party, which is on August 3. Get your tickets online…for real.
- San Blas Bay of Malta is a red sand beach on the northeast coast of Gozo.
- Azure Window is Gozo’s naturally flat-topped rock, which you can’t walk on, but you can bathe nearby.
- Hagar Qim, which dates back some 5,000 years, is the best preserved ancient limestone temple on Malta.
- The Temple at Ggantija traces back its foundation to a time period much before the Egyptian pyramids.
- Mosta Dome is the third largest unsupported church dome in Europe.
- Malta’s Grand Harbor boasts of being one of the best natural deep-water harbors in the world.
Cool, Fun, and Funny Facts About Malta
- Mdina, the nation’s old, walled capital, only allows cars of residents on its roads.
- When the right side is left. In Malta, they neither drive on the right, nor on the left; they drive in the shade.
- There are more than a few sunken WWII ships along the coastline.
- Malta was the 48th happiest country on earth, according to a 2013 UN report.
- Malta was earlier known as Melita, meaning the island of honey, by ancient Greeks and Romans.
- Valletta has been named after Jean Parisot de la Valette, a Grand Master of the Knights of St John.
- Bryan Adams and Britney Spears are of Maltese descent.
- The beautiful and elegant Pharaoh Hound Dog is Malta’s National Dog. In Maltese, the breed is called Kelb tal-Fenek.
- Malta has two Guinness World Records, achieved by Maltese people in 2011: First it hosted thelargest gathering of people dressed as storybook characters! It was 453 people and was achieved by Chiswick House School (Malta) in San Gwann, Malta, on 4 March 2011.
- The second is not a big surprise for those who know the Maltese obsession with Fireworks: Malta built the largest Catherine wheel in the World, measuring 32 m (104 ft 11.84 in) in diameter! It was built by Lily Fireworks Factory, in Mqabba, Malta, on 18 June 2011.
Historical and Cultural Facts About Malta
- The University of Malta is one of the oldest universities in Europe founded in 1592.
- Malta’s national dish is “Fenek” made from cooked rabbit.
- The most popular Maltese pastry “Pastizzi” has quickly caught up with one of the most popular pastries in Europe. This is filled with local ingredients, but popularly with ricotta cheese and peas.
- Malta was awarded with the George Cross, by King George VI (UK), in the year 1942.
- The most famous crafts village in Europe, called ‘Ta’Qali’, is found in central Malta.
- In 1980 in Malta was filmed set of films about Popeye, this place now is called as “Popeye City” and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in this island.
- Most famous non-alcoholic drink in Malta isKinnie.
- Favourite dessert delicacies are kannoli (tube of crispy, fried pastry filled with ricotta), Sicilian-style, semi-freddo desserts (mix of sponge, ice-cream, candied fruits and cream) and Ħelwa tat-Tork (sweet sugary mixture of crushed and whole almonds).
- Traditional Maltese food is rustic and based on the seasons. Look out for Lampuki Pie (fish pie), Rabbit Stew, Braġioli (beef olives), Kapunata, (Maltese version of ratatouille), and widow’s soup, which includes a small round of Ġbejniet (sheep or goat’s cheese).
- On most food shop counters, you’ll see Bigilla, a thick pate of broad beans with garlic. The snacks that must be tried are ‘ħobż biż-żejt’ (round of bread dipped in olive oil, rubbed with ripe tomatoes and filled with a mix of tuna, onion, garlic, tomatoes and capers) and pastizzi (flaky pastry parcel filled with ricotta or mushy peas).
