Streets squares and districts to visit Malta

In addition to the inn of the same name, the Prime Minister's office and the Cavalier Saint-Jacques (a sort of large tower), you'll see the statue of Borg Olivier, who led Malta to independence and was its Prime Minister. Opposite the Auberge de Castille stands the statue of Manwell Dimech and, next door, that of Paul Boffa, who was Prime Minister after the war and gave women the right to vote in 1945. And a new, more contemporary work, in scrap metal colors, has come to occupy the Place de Castille, this being a sculpture commemorating the November 2015 migration summit.

From the Greek's Gate, by taking the gardens on the right, you reach the main gate of Mdina. It is necessary to park your vehicle before entering the walled city because cars are not allowed except for local residents. In the deserted streets, protected from the sun by the high blond walls, calm reigns. On the left, you reach the ramparts to discover, at the bottom, the old Rabat railway station, a vestige of the era of the railways in Malta (from 1914 to 1938), and today surrounded by vegetation.

To reach the main street, Villegaignon Street, you take a street on the right (Inguanez Street or Mesquita Street). Villegaignon is a Knight of the Order who organized the defense of the city during the Turkish attack of 1551.

At the corner of Villegaignon Street and Inguanez Street, the 14th century Inguanez House belonged to the oldest noble family in Malta. The Inguanez were often the heads of the Università, the assembly administering the town and part of the island.

In the "Mdina Experience" square, Mesquita Square, the Cremona Gallery is named after a Maltese artist who specialised in oil paintings of Maltese landscapes and who created the monument commemorating the 1990 Bush-Gorbachev meeting.

At the end of Mesquita Street , turn left into Villegaignon Street to reach the cathedral. Continuing along Villegaignon Street, you will reach the Carmelite Church, built between 1630 and 1690 to the design of Francesco Sammut and housing paintings by Stefano Erardi. The Maltese revolt against the French (1798) really began here, as the latter tried to seize the church's property.

Opposite, the Palazzo Costanzo, built in the 17th century, sketches a history of the Middle Ages through paintings of daily life, reconstructions of Maltese houses and life-size plaster statues. A few steps further on, the Norman House (or Palazzo Falzon), managed by the Gollcher Foundation, dates from the Middle Ages. Its Sicilian-Norman style is typical of the period of rule of the Norman Roger of Sicily.

You return to the fortifications on Bastion Square where a shop selling souvenirs and Maltese handicrafts may be of interest to enthusiasts. From the square, you can look out over St Paul's Bay, the Cupola of Mosta and, in the distance, Valletta. From the top of its ramparts, the impression of dominating the whole island is strong, and its title of capital becomes obvious. You can have fun recognizing all the places you visited the previous days.

Above the harbour, the Paceville district is THE lively corner of the island, with a concentration of party venues frequented by young Maltese and tourists alike. It's the place to be in the evening, especially at weekends. This urban development dates back to the mid-1980s, when Valletta's traditional Corso, where most of the island's entertainment took place, was abandoned. The district has a real attraction for the country's youth, as it's constantly on the move. As Maltese society changes and evolves with the times, restaurant, store and nightclub signs close, open or change frequently. You'll stroll from bar to club, as one after the other, they all compete with each other in boom-boom, colorful neon lights and terrace crowds. If you're a fan of cutting-edge music, be sure to pick your spots, as most of the bars and clubs play the summer's dance and techno hits over and over again. It seems that the trend in the area (and this is to be regretted) is the proliferation of "gentlemen's clubs", where men can do their business discreetly in full view of everyone...

Paceville is also known as one of the capital's residential districts. Here, you'll find a number of old houses dating from the 1920s, in the style of fine Italian lakeside residences, with Victorian balustrades and bow windows. The area has also seen the recent emergence of countless language schools. Their modern buildings have transformed certain streets (Triq Paceville in particular).

Its main attraction is the ultra-modern Bay Street shopping mall. It's even more stores, following the model set by Anglo-Saxon television. And all this while awaiting a more modern successor attraction.

It was first called Piazza del Tesoro , Treasure Square, since the treasure of the Order of St. John was located in this square, and then Queen's Square, after the installation in the 19th century of a statue of Queen Victoria. Today it is overrun by the shady terrace of the Caffè Cordina, installed in the 18th century building that served as the treasury of the Order of St. John and whose vaulted ceilings are decorated with frescoes by Giuseppe Cali. Here you can have a drink in the shade of the statue of Queen Victoria.

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.

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.