Malta Part 2 Things to do in Malta
OK again this is not a travel blog per se so of course this is not all inclusive of the many things you could do in Malta there are plenty of those. This is just a list for those readers of this blog that we did while we were in Malta and some brief descriptions.
Aquarium
There is a wonderful Aquarium in Malta and right on the bus line making it fairly easy to get to. The bus stops right in front. The aquarium takes about an hour to walk through at a leisurely pace longer if you want to read about all the tanks. They specialize in fish from the Mediterranean and from the South Pacific. My daughter had long ago decided she wanted to be a marine biologist and was fascinated. For an additional fee, they offer a backstage tour which is basically for kids. My daughter was in heaven and never stopped asking questions or trying to answer the ones the guide asks. They take you through the labs, show what they have to do to keep the water pure, how they treat the new arrivals that are going to be additions to the aquarium and what do they do with sick fishes that need treatment. Then you get to go up and watch them feed the fish. Depending on the day of the week they feed different groups of fish. We were lucky and got to see them feed the rays and the sharks. This is well worth the small upcharge.
Tarxien
Tarxien is an archaeological site that dates from 3150 BC and has been protected by UNESCO as a world heritage site since 1992. The site discovered accidentally by a farmer in 1919 is protected today by a tent-like structure that covers the site. The site’s importance is it is one of the oldest temples that we know. Used for ceremonial rituals that most likely include animal sacrifices a walk through the temples from above shows off the intricate stonework and reliefs. Stone rollers were found outside the temple that provides indications of how the megalithic temples were built. Many of the statues and decorative slaps have been moved to museums throughout Malta to protect them from the weather.
Blue Grotto
Is a number of caves located on the coast of Malta where the sea life, mineral deposits, and sunlight combine to give off a spectacular display of colors. You take a small fishing boat led by a guide from the dock into the small bay where the caves are and slip into the entrance for viewing. It is about a 20-minute boat ride and cost !4 Euros. It is on one of the On-On-Hop-Off bus stops.
Medina
The city of Medina is a fortified city in Northern Malta where the entire city is located within the fortress walls. There are a number of fortifications in Malta most meant to keep out the Turks. There are only 300 people who remain living in the city. It was the capital of Malta up until mid-evil times. It is a major tourist attraction in Malta.
Valletta
Valletta is the capital city of Malta, founded in the 1600 by the Knights of Malta as a fortification city to defend again Ottoman invasions. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site full of baroque churches, gardens, and palaces. The city was built on a grid plan unlike most of the other cities in Malta. Full of shops and restaurants, it is a wonderful city to visit for a day and stroll along the streets. There are a couple of boutique hotels there as well.
St Johns
One of the must-see sights in Valletta is the Cathedral of St Johns. Built by the Knights of Malta, the interior of the church redesigned in the 17th century is considered one of the finest examples of Baroque Interiors in all of Europe. The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist by Caravaggio is the church’s most famous work of art and is regarded as one of Caravaggio’s finest works. An insider’s tip if you don’t mind sitting through a Maltese Catholic service go to one of the actual services either on Sunday or in the evening. When there is no service the tours line up all day and the lines are long but, in a service, you can sit and look and the walk around when the service is over.
Renzo Piano
Piano, the modern architect designer of The Shard of London, Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris has two designs in Valletta, the City Gate and the Malta Parliament building. The City Gates is the fifth version of the gates as they have been destroyed over the years. The Parliament Building is right at the city gates and fits in nicely with the 16th century architecture of the town.
Some other spots to visit
Triton’s Fountain – just before you get the gates
The Covered Market
Auberge d’Italie