THE THREE CITIES
Across the Grand Harbor, to the south of Valletta, are the historic fortified towns of Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea, commonly referred to as the three cities or Cottonera.
Situated at the Old Naval Bakery of the British Naval Headquarters at Fort St. Angelo, the Museum relates Malta's maritime history from early times to the present day. Exhibits include 2 ceremonial barges of the Grandmasters Wignacourt and De Vilhena, several models of sailing ships and galleys of the Order of the Knights of St. John, and a number of authentic guns and cannons.
FOLK MUSEUM
The Folk Museum is housed in the Inquisitor's Palace in Vittoriosa, formerly the seat of the Inquisitions in Malta. A section of the building contains interesting specimens of tools, objects of devotion, etc., of a bygone age. Of special interest, (also located at the Palace) are the judgement hall, the private apartments, and the dungeons.
THE HYPOGEUM (Circa 2400 B.C.) - Paola
This is an ancient underground monument, 13.2 yards below street level. It consists of a system of caves, passages and cubicles cut into the stone, similar to the interiors of megalithic temples.
MEGALITHIC MONUMENTS - Tarxien
The remains of numerous temples erected in the Fourth and Third Millennium B.C. are unique in the world. Stone idols, animal representations carved in relief, stone tablets, altars and screens decorated with spirals and other patterns, fire places, ornamented niches and oracular chambers enhance the attraction of these magnificent sanctuaries.
GHAR DALAM (Cave and Museum) Birzebbuga
This cave is a veritable depository of semifossilized remains and extinct species such as dwarf elephants and hippopotami which roamed the island some 250,000 years ago, ostensibly when it was still part of the Africa land mass.
BLUE GROTTO - Wied iz-Zurrieq
This picturesque grotto and neighboring sea caves mirror the brilliant phosphorescent colors of underwater flora.
MARSAXLOKK
The Turkish forces invaded Malta in 1565 from the shores of this village. In 1798, the Knights surrendered to Napoleon's troops who also landed here. In this harbor lies the largest fishing fleet of the island.
GHAR HASAN - HAL FAR
A vast cave with a large window in the cliffface rising perpendicularly out of the water.
MDINA
Mdina, the old capital of Malta, is a typical medieval town situated in the center of the island. The "Silent City", as it is known, commands a magnificent view of the island and although it is fully inhabited, silence reigns supreme.
The 11th Century Siculo-Norman Cathedral was destroyed by an earthquake in 1693. The present Cathedral was built by Lorenzo Gafa four years later and is believed to stand on the site originally occupied by the house of Publius, he Roman Governor at the time of St. Paul's stay on the island, who eventually became the first Bishop of Malta. The Cathedral Museum contains various art treasures, includ- ing a fine collection of Durer woodcuts and paintings.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Situated at Vilhena Palace within Mdina, this museum houses seven sections comprising both local and foreign collections, including skeletal anatomy, fish, insects, birds, shells, fossils and geology.
RABAT
Evidence of the wealth and magnificence of Malta during the Roman rule (218 B.C. - 870 A.D.) may be seen here, including some fine mosaics.
ST. PAUL'S GROTTO
St. Paul lived in this cave during his three-month stay on the island after his shipwreck in 60 A.D.
ST. AGATHA AND ST. PAUL'S CATACOMBS
These catacombs at Rabat are typical of the underground Christian cemeteries which were common in the Fourth Century A.D. The characteristic feature of the Maltese catacombs is the presence of round tables known as "agape tables" carved from stone with slanting sides on which mourners reclined to take part in a farewell repast.
BUSKETT GARDEN
This beautiful garden boasts a vast citrus orchard and vineyards.
VERDALA CASTLE
This castle is situated on a hilltop overlooking Buskett Garden. It was built by Grand Master Verdala in 1588 as a summer residence. Following recent restoration works, this historic building is now used as a Government Guest Palace. It is open to the public on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 am - 12 noon and from 2 pm - 5 pm.
ATTARD
These gardens, containing a wide variety of plants, shrubs and trees, were planned by Grand Master Antoine de Paule in the 17th Century. Annual fruit, flower, vegetable, fur and feather shows and fairs are held here.
MOSTA
MOSTA DOME
The parish church of Mosta was designed by the Maltese architect Giorgio Grognet de Vasse. The first stone was laid in 1833. lt contains several paintings by local artists and has one of the largest unsupported domes in the World.
SLIEMA - ST. JULIAN'S - PACEVILLE
Sliema (with neighboring St. Julian's / St. George's area) is the largest and most modern town in Malta, - a fashionable residential area nd a noted resort. It has a 4.8 mile (7.7 km) long seaside promenade which is one of the most frequented spots on the island. It offers an important and lively shopping center with cafes and restaurants, the largest group of hotels in Malta, a number of night-spots, including the palatial Casino, popular beaches and bathing establishments with facilities for water sports.
Yachts of various nationalities take advantage of the available mooring amenities which include water, telephone, electricity, weather forecasts, D.F. Beacon, ship-to-shore radio, chart depot and supplies. A dock yard consisting of seven modern slipways is in fuII operation and has facilities for slipping, repairing, converting and servicing for yachts of all sizes up to 50 tons.
