An archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, Malta is a South European nation located between Sicily and the North African coast. Officially the Republic of Malta, it is rich in history, culture, architecture, and natural beauty.
Rightly known as the “Heart of the Mediterranean”, Malta is a magical European gem that has much more to offer than meets the eye. Page through for some facts about this Mediterranean delight, which will surprise you!
Malta comprises three main islands viz., Gozo, Comino, and Malta. Out of these, the Comino island is largely uninhabited.
Malta was formerly known as Melita. The name has been derived from the Greek word, ‘Méli’, meaning ‘honey’.
The country, in fact, has an endemic species of bees that produces a special kind of honey, which is extremely well known.
Seven free-standing megalithic temples belonging to that period have been found in Malta. These are believed to predate even the Stonehenge and the Pyramids.
Malta is believed to have been inhabited since 5,000 B.C.
Between 395 A.D. and 535 A.D., i.e., almost for 140 years, there are absolutely no historical records of Maltese history. It's as if the country just vanished from the map of the world for those 140 years.
For almost 200 years, the Arabs ruled over Malta. Then, the Romans reigned over Malta for 72 years. It was a British colony for over 150 years. Even Napoleon had captured Malta in 1798 on this way to Egypt.
During World War I, lots of wounded soldiers were brought to Malta to be treated. Owing to this, Malta came to be known as the “Nurse of the Mediterranean”.
Malta’s capital, Valletta, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This historical city was the first ever planned city in Europe.
Valletta was seat of various powers including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs. All these influences can be seen in the city’s historical edifices and culture.
Valletta is only 0.8 square km in area, which makes it the smallest national capital in all of Europe.
Malta is among the popular locations with film makers. ‘Sons of the Sea’ was the first ever film shot in Malta in 1925.
Other famous Hollywood movies filmed in Malta include ‘Gladiator’, ‘Troy’, and ‘Captain Phillips’. Some parts of the popular TV series, ‘Game of Thrones’, were also shot in Malta.
Malta is one of the few countries of the world, which do not levy any taxes on property. Others include Dubai, Monaco, Bahrain, and Israel.
Gozo’s capital, Victoria, a.k.a Rabat, is known for the majestic citadella that overlooks the city. The structure dates back to the Middle Ages.
The Calypso Cave on the Gozo island is believed to be where Homer wrote the Greek epic poem, “The Odyssey”.
The former capital of Malta, Mdina, is a fortified city that predates the ancient Greeks. If you’re not the city’s resident, you won’t be allowed to drive your car within the city. In Mdina, only residents’ cars are allowed on roads.
Malta is a very popular destination with shipwreck diving enthusiasts. Along Malta’s coastline, you’ll find quite a few sunken WWII vessels.
Malta boasts one of the best climates in the world. Its sun-kissed islands enjoy more than 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, making it a very popular holiday destination.
Malta is the foodie’s paradise. While vacationing in the country, be sure to try out Kinnie, a Maltese soft drink; Cisk, a locally brewed beer; and Pastizzi, a fluffy pastry with ricotta cheese or pea filling!