Tourist Attractions & Monuments Malta

The university looked after the importation of wheat and its distribution according to the needs of the city. Built in 1538, this building will place the seat of the university until the conquest of Malta by the British.

Near the square, you can stop off at St. Joseph's Oratory, an ^18th-century chapel run by two charming pensioners. La Valette is said to have come here to pray just before the Great Siege. Here you can see his battle sword and hat. This fighting sword should not be confused with the jeweled sword offered by Philip II of Spain as a reward for his courage, now on display in the Louvre. In the oratory, you'll find a portrait of La Valette, attributed to one of Caravaggio's pupils. The master may have made a few alterations.

Still in the oratory, enthusiasts will find ex-votos, religious paintings, cherubs, crucifixes, bells, as well as candlesticks that once belonged to the Order, the flags of the various inns and letters from knights written to their mothers asking for money! You'll also be interested in a card game dating back to 1609, with which the knights played on the galleys. Very long silver scissors enabled the priest to bring plague victims to communion without having to go near them. Magnificent flags from the old inns are also on display.

Nestled inside Gozo's Victoria citadel, this museum takes you back several centuries. It is located on the street named after Bernardo De Opuo, a Gozitan hero who, during the Turkish invasion of 1551, sacrificed his wife and children and fought to the death rather than be enslaved. The museum is housed in a group of interconnected ^15th-century houses, the only medieval houses of their kind in Gozo, with Sicilian-Norman windows on the façade. The complex of houses was restored in 1983 to house a museum. The ground floor and mezzanines of the house on the south side show the reconstruction of a historic house, with its working and living areas. The first floors of the whole complex are devoted to the rural environment, essentially agricultural. You'll also notice a spectacular cattle mill. On the second floor, you'll find furniture and tools related to local Gozo crafts, such as lace-making and weaving (including cotton gins and a spinning wheel). During your visit, you'll also find pottery, baker's, carpenter's and blacksmith's tools. There's also a very interesting collection of ex-votos, reflecting the piety of the period. All in all, there's everything to reflect the domestic atmosphere of an ^18th-century urban environment.

The village of Xaghra is perched on a high porous limestone plateau. The infiltration of rainwater has created caves, discovered quite by chance, by digging wells for two nearby houses. One of the family members will show you this cave, 24 meters long and 18 meters wide, located below the house. It was one of their ancestors who discovered it in 1888. He will reveal its existence only three years after he first entered it. During the visit you will discover beautiful stalagmites and stalactites.

Built in 1531, he is the first hospital run by the knights. In 1652 it was given to the Benedictine people who still occupy it today. The chapel of the Order of the Order, of which Lorenzo Gafà drew up the plans in 1672, has an altar painted by Mattia Preti. Do not confuse this hospital, with the Sacra Infermeria in Valletta, built in 1604 and became the Mediterranean conference centre.

It's home to the world's biggest cannon! In fact, one of two 100-ton cannons built by the British army; the second is in Gibraltar.

With its 10 m length and 44 cm calibre, the machine could send a one-ton projectile over 5 km and pierce up to 50 cm of armour. The tour includes a look at the warehouses where these giant "munitions" are stored, and an explanation of how the cannon is loaded.

Shaped like a pentagon, Fort Rinella was built between 1878 and 1886 and dismantled in 1906. It is one of the many forts built in Malta under Queen Victoria in the ^19th century to reinforce Malta's defenses.

Every afternoon at 2.30pm, a historical re-enactment brings the cannon and its Victorian garrison to life. A museum has been set up inside the fort, featuring military costumes and period furniture.

On the peninsula behind Kalkara and opposite Fort Saint-Elme stands Fort Ricasoli, which played an important role during the Great Siege (the great battle against the Turks in 1565).

Designed by military architect Maurizio Valperga, its construction was financed by Italian master Giovanni Francesco Ricasoli (hence the fort's name). Grandmaster N. Cottoner then had the Saint-Nicolas chapel built in the courtyard. Its altar is decorated by Mattia Preti.

The fort was subsequently extended and strengthened according to the needs of the time.

During the ^19th century, the English built numerous casemates, installed modern cannons and barracks for their soldiers. In 1870, the fort was defended by 700 men and 100 artillery pieces. It also played an important role during the Second World War, coming under frequent German attack. Bombs destroyed the Canonniers' house and the Baroque gate.

After the war, the fort became a barracks. Today, it is used as an oil terminal; hence the view of the dumps and the smell of fuel oil. To the right, on the other hand, you come to the forts of Saint-Rocco and Rinella, from which you can see the sea.

This ambitious project, long cherished by Gozitans, bears the name of the only person who was willing to finance it in the ^18th century. After the invasion of 1551 and the Great Siege of 1565, which led to the decision to build Valletta, the inhabitants of Gozo felt the need to have a port fortress on their territory capable of defending them, like the new capital of the neighboring island. The knights were not averse to this project, which also concerned their security. However, the project was abandoned, unsuccessfully re-examined a century later, and finally adopted in the ^mid-18th century, when the coffers were empty and the knights' glory was in full decline. It was a military man, Admiral Jacques de Chambray, who provided the funds for this major undertaking, completed in 1761. The admiral was given the title of governor of Gozo, but the fort had little opportunity to shine, resisting Napoleonic troops for some time before becoming English. It was later converted into an asylum. Long empty and unused, it is now being completely restored.

Today, in addition to rehabilitation and restoration, new residential buildings have been built in keeping with the fort's architecture. Regrettably, this somewhat diminishes the massive, defensive aspect of the whole.

Originally designed to accommodate orphans, this large building is now held by Dominican sisters.

An anchor at the entrance of this old house announces the color. Different objects and boat models covering three centuries of maritime history are presented to you.

The Maltese lira has been replaced by the euro at a conversion rate of 1 EUR = MTL 0.429300. Maltese lira banknotes can be exchanged for ten years, and coins for two years after withdrawal of legal tender, at the counters of the Central Bank of Malta.

These two islands close to the shores are traditionally seen as sites of the shipwreck of Saint Paul. A great statue of the apostle was raised in 1845.

You can go there by boat, although the interest is limited. Nevertheless, the clarity of water around the islets would almost be appropriate.

A small museum worth seeing. Among the interesting exhibits: votive paintings made by sailors to thank the Virgin Mary for protecting them at sea, old religious objects (sedan chairs, for example), ship models, the Vulcan XM645 memorial, a knight's full suit of armor, and various interesting paintings by famous Maltese and foreign painters.

This is one of Rabat Mdina's most spectacular, yet little-known sites.

The catacombs, the grotto. The highlight of the visit is the grotto where St. Paul is said to have taken refuge on his arrival in Malta in the year 60, at the origin of the Christian community on the island! Pope John Paul himself came to visit his statue here. Not to take anything away from the myth, access to the grotto is via the adjacent catacombs. In the midst of narrow labyrinthine aisles, rock-cut tombs of all sizes follow one another, some with bone fragments still present, from the Punic (Carthaginian), Roman and Christian eras. Along the way, we discover the fallout shelters where many Maltese families lived during the bombings of the Second World War. Anxious and claustrophobic visitors are advised to abstain.

Museum. The visit is very complete, as this ticket also gives access to the rather vast and accessible Museum of Religious Art, located in the baroque palace of the great Master Aloph de Wignacourt (1601-1622). Just as dark and bloody as Valletta's Museum of Fine Arts (St. Paul beheaded or St. Agatha with her breasts cut off, two of the island's classics), it features religious paintings by Mattia Preti, Francesco and Antoine de Favray.

Situated on a rugged stretch of Malta's south coast, it's around 500 m from Ħaġar Qim, two World Heritage sites. It has three structures built around an open space. The oldest is the small three-lobed structure on the right, while the southern and central structures were built later.

In the southern structure, you can see how each row of blocks projects slightly inwards, shortening the room's span and facilitating roofing. This structure also features a particular alignment with the rising sun during the spring and autumn equinoxes. On these days, the rays of the rising sun pass through the main door and into the central axis, illuminating the innermost central apse. On the solstices of June and December, the first rays of the sun illuminate the edge of two decorated megaliths to the left (June) and right (December) of the central door linking the first pair of chambers to the inner ones.

The central structure is built on a platform and has a simpler layout than the one below. At the opposite end of the entrance is a covered niche, and along the left wall, close to it, is the entrance to another room. Part of the site's charm lies in the fact that no modern developments are visible, so it can still be appreciated in its original setting. The type of stone available on the surface in this part of the landscape has directly influenced the materials used in the construction of the sites. Here, both globigerite and the more resistant coralline limestone are readily available, and both are used in the structure. The exterior of the site is built in coralline limestone, which is more resistant to the elements. For the interior walls, softer globigerine limestone was used. This enabled the builders to carve smooth, evenly-shaped megaliths that fit together perfectly.

Like nearbyĦaġar Qim, Mnajdra was recently covered with a shelter to protect it from the elements and help preserve it for future generations. A number of artefacts, including fragments of pottery vessels and flint utensils, have been discovered at these sites. These provide additional information about the people who created these monuments and are on display at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.

The very massive St James Tower (th century), once abandoned, now houses a very interesting cultural centre. The capital thus has an indispensable tool for its radiation. This also shows how the remains of the past, many in the country, can be usefully rehabilitated. And it's very successful. Temporary exhibitions of photographs, paintings, ceramics and various other forms of art (theatre) are held in beautiful vaulted, clear, spacious and beautifully renovated rooms. And if you are not interested in exhibitions, you can only go to the building, its architecture, its rehabilitation. Concerts, often free of charge, take place. And a cinema offers recent or old films, thematic festivals. Meetings are held in the evening only at € 5. A programme of exhibitions and events is available at the entrance or the tourist office. There is also a large souvenir shop, a bar with terrace and a nice restaurant offering some Maltese specialities.

The first parish church of Xaghra - built in the th century in the north of the village on a promontory - was replaced by a contemporary building. Nearby you will find the remains of Santa Verna Temple, a prehistoric monument with only three levées.

Its exact origin is unknown. It is enlarged in 1615 and then rebuilt in 1861, when the dome is added. It is now a place of religious education for children.

Near the Ggantija Temple in Temples Street, this stone circle, also known as the Xaghra Hypogeum, is a Neolithic burial complex. It consists of a series of caves that were used to bury the dead, surrounded by a fortified enclosure. Discovered at the end of the 18th century, it was forgotten, re-buried and rediscovered in 1964. This circular alignment of megalithic stones was once more than 120 m long. Today, the remains extend over about 25 m and some stones are more than 2 m high.

This is the residence of chaplains during the reign of the Order. They, often councillors of great masters and knights, have the role of writing correspondence and treaties.

Classical and harmonious, it was built by Lorenzo Gafà at the end of the 1692 th century, between 1720 and. It benefits from the quality of the work of the inhabitants of Zejtun considered to be the best builders of the island. Its dome, its varied columns and its cornices are superb. This same architect realizes the cathedrals of Mdina and Victoria in Gozo. Many works of local artists are visible inside as well as procession statues. At the back of the church, a small religious art workshop sometimes leaves its doors fluctuating.

Probably the most interesting of the city's churches. Remodeled in 1638 by the architect Tomasso Dingli, it features many Baroque elements. It boasts some fine pieces of religious art, including paintings by Giuseppe Cali, sculptures by Melchiorre Gafà and Karlu Darmanin, and an altar by Portuguese sculptor Emmanuel Merreira. Some of these statues are taken out into the streets for the Good Friday procession.

It was built in 1571 by the Knights of Saint John and renovated in 1765. Despite this restoration, most of the works of art that lie inside the church date from the church of origin.

The village developed from the end of the 17th century, when Bishop David Cocco Palmeri turned the Chapel of St. Anthony into a parish church. Later, under the impulse of the great master Gregorio Carafa, the villagers decided to build a vast church, first dedicated to Our Lady of Graces and then to the nativity of the Virgin. The church, with a classical Latin cross plan, was rebuilt, even more vast, at the beginning of the 19th century. But a plague epidemic, which raged in 1814, killing more than a hundred people on the island, led to the suspension of the work. Resumed around 1825, the work continued under the impetus of Father Buttigieg, who became the first bishop of the island in 1864. The church was completed in 1850, blessed on 14 February 1855 and consecrated on 26 May 1878. The dome was only erected in 1892 and decorated inside with the works of Virginio Monti (1929-1930). The church was given the title of basilica in August 1967 and from 2000 to 2003 restoration work was carried out on the bell towers, the roof and the dome. The facade, baroque, has two bell towers, one of which houses a bell weighing almost 3 tons, the oldest of the 6 bells dating from 1770. The clock is by a Maltese artist. As for the marble coverings, they date from the 1950s. Its interior is rich in furniture, sculptures and paintings, with a very baroque style.

Designed by Francesco Buonamici, it was founded by the Jesuits in 1592 to teach philosophy, literature and theology. The Jesuits were expelled from the island by the great master Emmanuel Pinto de Fonseca and recalled under the English occupation. The university then became public, and medicine and surgery were also taught there. By its shape and ornaments, it reminds us of the Jesuit church in Rome, and contains many paintings and liturgical objects. Today it is the setting for the solemn ceremonies of the University of Malta.

An impressive overhang of almost 120 m above sea level is also an important bird sanctuary (almost 1,000 breeding pairs of Cory's Shearwaters and 300 pairs of Yelkouan Shearwaters). In the rock, the prehistoric chariot tracks may be those left by the machines that transported rocks to the island's temples. The scented scrubland is particularly pleasant in this part of the island. The Ta'Cenc, one of the most beautiful Maltese hotels, is located in this sumptuous setting.

It was built in 1598 and completed in the 17th century by the great master Gregorio Carfa, whose coat of arms adorns the façade. The side extension is designed in 1920 by the Maltese architect E. Borg. This church is one of the first in the country to have designed the interior in the Baroque style. Paintings by Mattia Preti, Pietro Galiardi and Filippo Paladini can be seen here. Its dry, classical façade blends discreetly into the major axis that is Republic Street.

In the street of the same name (part of Victory Square), this church, built in 1651, then enlarged and expanded in 1779, was severely damaged in 1940. It will be restored in 1949.

This church was originally the church of a religious school for girls opened in 1692 by a Maltese Jesuit. Orphans or girls were placed in poor families.

In ancient globigérine, the main monument of the city, imposing and unavoidable, acts as a magnetic pole on the traveller, which in every way when it wins the beaches of the west cannot avoid discovering its silvery nipple drawn towards the sky. The facade of the building is decorated with two clocks. The right is wrong, simple dial on the right of the facade, while that on the left is true.

The interior of the church deserves a few moments of contemplation, if only for the freshness provided during hot summer hours. In addition, you will be surprised to discover that this dome, which appears as a rotondité of the most regular, is actually based on a remarkable ellipse, which allows you to enter the outline by placing you underneath. You can marvel at its regularity and symmetry, leaving it to the surveyors to calculate the large axis, the small axis and the volume of half-ellipsoid.

Curious coincidence, this building is called the church of eggs, because it was built thanks to the villagers'donations, not in cash, but in kind, and especially in eggs. Poultry farmers brought them conscientiously for months until the product of sale was sufficient to initiate construction. Despite the funds raised, it took 34 years to complete it (1912-1946), the construction dependent on donations and thus the quality of the crops.

The whole church is seduced by its sobriety, not devoid of charm. Few furniture, a pleasant light, a discreet strength.

Located rue de la Tour Saint-Jean, it has experienced many uses: it served as a warehouse, a hospital and a military district during the British period. It is located close to the two major defensive towers, the Saint James Tower and the Saint John Tower. From the terrace of the Saint James Tower, you will have a superb view of the nearby village Kalkara and Fort Ricasoli.

Without special interest, this door at the centre of the roundabout is the main curiosity of the city. Built in 1798, it bears the name of the last great master of Malta. The city pays tribute to its benefactor.

Still along the road from the capital to Mdina, you'll no doubt notice the Wignacourt aqueduct. When Valletta was built in the ^16th century, it was realized that the drinking water supplied by the only usable spring (near the Grand Harbour) would soon be insufficient. So, in 1601, Grand Master Adolf de Wignacourt decided to bring water from the many springs in the hills around Mdina to Valletta. In 1610, the first project was an underground aqueduct as far as Attard, but the problems associated with the terrain soon proved insurmountable. Between Balzan and Hamrun, therefore, an overhead construction was preferred, consisting of a stone conduit mounted on arches, which can still be seen today. From Hamrun to the capital, water was once again transported underground. On August 21, 1615, Adolf de Wignacourt inaugurated the first fountain in Valletta. Another was also built in Floriana.

The Roman baths were not discovered until 1929 and, more than thirty years after their discovery and meticulous excavation, the site was developed on the initiative of Unesco. While few traces remain of the villa to which they were attached, the baths are relatively well preserved. Archaeology students will find the classic structure of the baths, with three basins: hot water(caldarium), warm water(tepidarium) and cold water(frigidarium). These facilities were certainly the best available at the time in terms of comfort. One can only imagine that the owner was a wealthy and cultured person. Admire the mosaics and enjoy the calm and greenery surrounding the site.

The first asset of this place is the Folklore Museum which is housed in a huge and beautiful house dating back to the beginning of the 18th century which is worth a visit. A visit to the museum will also give you an insight into the traditions of Gozo and the daily life of a not-so-distant past. It offers a tour through 28 rooms filled with historical objects associated with the crafts, from milling to printing, wine making, fishing and blacksmithing.

This is one of Malta's largest underground shelters. It was dug by man to a depth of 12 m and has a total length of 225 m. Artefacts testify to what life was like here during the terrible bombing raids that ravaged the island during the Second World War. Part of the village's population took refuge here.

The tour (always guided) begins with a documentary on Malta during the Second World War, after which visitors are escorted into the shelter.

The original center of the village, around the church of St. George, served as a residence for the knights and has preserved some fine old houses, including the Palazzo Stagno. Built in 1589 for the Stagno family of Sicilian origin, it was mainly occupied by knights of the Order. Superb moldings around the windows, beautifully crafted facade, all in a rather orthodox, Maltese style, rather inspired by the Spanish colonial styles of Peru or Mexico, as the English architect Quentin Hughe would say about it.

Dating from the 3rd and 4th centuries, these catacombs have still not been fully excavated. However, excavations carried out in the 1990s indicate that they were used as a cemetery for a group of Christians living in the first centuries of the Christian era. In the Xarolla complex, the window tomb is the most common format. It is estimated that most of the tombs date from the Late Roman or Byzantine period.

Behind Paceville, this bay has a beautiful beach, unfortunately very dirty in summer: the gossip is all over the sand, even if the place is monitored and large panels encourage to keep the place clean. The swimming pool is moderately pleasant, especially since the beach is small and quickly crowded in summer. It is also the trend beach where we must be seen: Pretty girls and beautiful boys at sight.

You access St George's Bay on foot through the discotheques, then descending the stairs to Baystreet, the big shopping mall that transformed the bay. A leisure complex recently added to the shopping center (cinemas, IMAX, rink, bowling) and the very large and luxurious Intercontinental Hotel. If the replacement of this hotel by another large emirati hotel complex is now forgotten, another hotel project is now being debated: the construction of a concept of rock coffee which would come to the place occupied by the building of the school of tourism. The project still divides many but the fate of the school of tourism is already sealed, she will join Smartville.

This is the first bay from Sliema. There are a few hotels on the seafront, and at the back of the bay there are small restaurants that spread their terraces on the square in summer. You will of course notice the swimming pool of the local water polo club. You will not be surprised to see sometimes a huge Belgian flag which colours the bay with its three colours. It is not that of a Belgian protectorate but the colours of the St Julian Aquatic Club. It is dominated by the church of the Carmelites and by a superb building with vast niches on the façade.

You reach it by taking the road to the left just before the Paradise Bay Hotel. Wedged between the cliffs, it is one of the island's most pleasant beaches. Take a small path down to the beach. A restaurant (salad buffet, grills) and deckchairs unfortunately take away the impression of seclusion in summer, as the place is now "well-known" and crowded (too) with tourists. Cruises around the island sometimes even stop here, but out of season you'll be in peace.

The sand is fine and the water incredibly clear. And here, unlike Golden Bay or Ramla Bay (Gozo), you don't have to walk 1 km into the water to lose your footing and be able to swim. The slope is gentle, but real; children (and their worried parents) and experienced swimmers alike will find something to suit them. There is sometimes a paid "guarded" parking lot at the top of the path.

Nature park developed in the 1980s and opened to the public in the early 1990s. Ponds, canals and shelters have been created. As well as birds, the reserve also protects a variety of reptiles (snakes, chameleons). The reserve was listed by the European Union in 2000.

To get there by bus: take lines 41, 42, 221, 222, X1 and stop at the "Roti" and "Simar" stations.

This reserve offers the chance to observe the flora and fauna around the ancient salt pans, the only "marshy" area in the country.

In the ^16th century, Ghadira was Malta's largest salt works. When this industry was moved to the present-day and aptly-named Salina Bay, Ghadira was neglected, then abandoned.

In the 1960s, the Birdlife Malta association - the oldest organization of its kind in Malta (1962), now with 3,300 members - proposed to create a nature reserve here, a sanctuary for migratory birds. The pond was enlarged and islands created. The reserve was inaugurated in 1988 and today covers 6 ha, 100 m from Mellieha beach. It is open to the public, who can take advantage of the observation shelters.

The flora is made up of species that can adapt to water and salty soil (halophytes), and to variations in salinity, such as reeds and rushes of various species. There are also a few trees, such as Aleppo pine, carob and olive.

Birds are plentiful. Two hundred species can be observed here, depending on the season. Grebes, ducks, herons, egrets, rails, coots or kingfishers, as well as numerous passerines such as warblers, buntings..

Mammals include rabbits, weasels, hedgehogs, shrews and bats. Reptiles include the Mediterranean chameleon, a few non-venomous snakes and various species of geckos. Aquatic fauna must also be able to withstand changes in salinity. These include mullets, eels and snails.

Glassware factory, with the ever-impressive spectacle of glassblowers at work. But don't be surprised: the craft village is a real tourist magnet!

Located in the rural village of Mġarr in the north of the island, the megalithic site of Ta' Ħaġrat was discovered in 1916 and was referred to at the time as a "stone mound". The Ta'Hagrat site was excavated between 1923 and 1926, under the direction of Sir Temi Zammit, director of museums at the time. He enlisted the help of the village chaplain and also employed several villagers to help with the task. Situated close to the Skorba site, only about a kilometer away, the Ta'Hagrat megalithic site consists of two structures placed side by side. The larger structures date from the Ġgantija phase (3600 to 3200 BC). The megalithic site is topped by a concave facade with a monumental gate opening onto a central courtyard. Three steps lead up to this gate, and this is what makes it so unique. The courtyard is rectangular and located one level below the semicircular rooms on each of its three sides. In the room on the left, you can see how each row of stone blocks projects slightly inwards, shortening the span of the room and facilitating roofing. The room on the right was modified in the Neolithic period to provide access to the second, smaller structure built later. Although smaller in size than the island's other Neolithic sites, several interesting discoveries were made here. Pottery, stone tools, animal bones and a small limestone building model were found. This model represents a covered building, supporting the theory that these structures were originally covered. The model also represents two construction techniques used at the time: corbelling to facilitate roofing and the use of alternating vertical and horizontal megaliths in wall construction. The model is on display at Valletta's National Museum of Archaeology. Over the years, this site has become an important landmark for the Mgarr community. Its members have participated in the excavation of the site, assisted in the restoration of the main portal and, today, contribute to the management of the site. The site is so important to the community that it has chosen its monumental gate as one of the symbols of its council emblem.

The Three Cities tour is a real phenomenon. It's easy to see why: you climb aboard an electric golf cart limited to 20 km/h, and the tour of the Three Cities on quiet roads begins. Guided by a voice-activated GPS in French along a pre-planned route, you'll learn all about the history, cultural points of interest and recommended stopping points. If you take a wrong turn, a Minion will call out in song; children will love it. Photos can be taken at any time along the way. Complimentary bottle of water.

Located near the Grand Master's Palace and the Church of Our Lady of Damascus, this new Postal Museum was inaugurated with great pomp and circumstance in 2016. Housed in a mid-20th century house, designed by architect Giuseppe Cachia Caruana and completely renovated, it provides an insight into the historical role played by the Post in Malta since the 16th century. For example, you can admire the first Maltese stamp with the yellow Halpenny; a letter signed by Lord Nelson; a poignant love letter from an Italian in prison during the war and an impressive collection of stamps by Emvin Cremona, the very famous red motorbike of the Maltese postmen, the "James Captain", etc. Two galleries offer a temporary exhibition of photographs by Richard Ellis, the other one offers a presentation of the work of Emvin Cremona, considered by all to be one of the greatest Maltese artists of the 20th century. Note that it is possible to go on a treasure hunt (all different if you are 8, 15 or even 40 years old) within the museum which makes it very fun for those who are not passionate about stamps. The children are crazy about it because they have a reserved space where they can put on the postman's uniform or design their own stamp. In the shop area you can personalise everything: colourful cards, stationery, stamps and even the mascot specially created by the museum, Peppi Pustier. You will be able to put your personal holiday photos or any other image you like on these objects.

Parallel to the Mall, the large rectangular esplanade facing St. Publius Church is known as The Granaries. Indeed, this area is characterized by the presence of 76 underground bell-shaped grain silos, dug out in the ^17th century and used as storage facilities during wars and sieges. Their presence is indicated on the surface by large circular stones, a kind of cut column, which form the upper part of the pillars holding the entire structure together (and which are sometimes used as picnic tables in summer). Still in use during the Second World War, and although still functional, they have been replaced by more modern silos. Today, the esplanade itself is a major venue for religious (Saint Publius Day), political, commemorative and festive events (funfairs). A monument to Grand Master A. de Vilhena lines the esplanade. It is surrounded by the Catholic Institute, and the Middleseahouse, once used as a market (and grain trade). The latter hosted a meeting between Roosevelt and Stalin prior to the Yalta summit.

You will notice the beautiful, finely carved columns still standing and the stairs at the entrance of the former "Opera House". Built in 1866 in a neoclassical style by the English architect Edward Middleton Barry (known for the Covent Garden Theatre in London), it was almost completely disintegrated under German bombs during the Second World War. Without altering the site, an open-air amphitheatre was redeveloped. Named Pjazza Teatru Rjal (Royal Theatre Square) and inaugurated in August 2013. It hosts many performances.

One of the most picturesque spots on the island. Daħlet Qorrot is reached from Nadur. This fishermen's haven lies at the foot of the northern cliffs in a cove whose waters are almost as clear as the blue lagoon... The charm of this place is due in no small part to the colorful doors of the fishermen's storage areas carved into the cliffs.On the way back, stop off to see an ^18th-century windmill and the church of Qala, known as Santa Marija tal-Blat and surrounded by fields that bloom beautifully in winter. Away from the crowds, the place to be.