This 3000-year-old city, once the political centre of Malta, is filled
with Norman and baroque buildings and narrow cobblestone streets.
May 25, 2006 (Press Release) --
Mdina
This 3000-year-old city, once the political centre of Malta, is filled
with Norman and baroque buildings and narrow cobblestone streets. Perched
on a rocky outcrop about 15km (9mi) west of Valletta, the so-called Citta
Notabile - Noble City - has a commanding view of the island. Its nickname
derives from the many aristocratic Maltese families who still live in
town. The best-preserved medieval building is the Norman-style Palazzo
Falzon, built in 1495. Mdina has a beautiful main piazza, where you'll
find the 11th-century Roman Catholic Sicula-Norman Cathedral, one of the
few buildings to survive an earthquake in 1693. The cathedral museum
houses a collection of Dürer woodcuts. The nearby suburb of Rabat (which
translates roughly as 'suburb') has the interesting Museum of Roman
Antiquities, which offers exhibits on the island's 1000 years under Roman
rule.
Hagar Qim
Step back into the Copper Age at these prehistoric temples. Dating from as
early as 3800 BC, Hagar Qim and the other Neolithic temples on Malta are
the oldest known human structures in the world. This megalithic temple
complex is adorned with carved animals and idols, sacrificial altars and
oracular chambers, all executed with nothing more than flint and obsidian
tools. Giant limestone slabs form a series of ovals laid out in a pattern
that some archaeologists have compared to Mother Goddess figurines found
on the site. The view of the Mediterranean and the nearby island of Filfla
is one of the best in Malta. Hagar Qim and its neighbour, the Mnajdra
temple, are near the village of Qrendi, about 15km (9mi) southwest of
Valletta.
Gozo
Gozo has a distinct character all its own. The countryside is prettier
than that of its larger neighbour, the pace is slower and there are far
fewer tourists. The island has its share of medieval architecture and
prehistoric temples, making it a great place to escape the tourism mill
while experiencing the best of what Malta has to offer. The commercial
centre of the island, Victoria, has a sleepy 17th-century feel. The view
from atop the Citadel, or 'Gran Costello', takes in the entire island. The
Norman House, on the Citadel's grounds, houses an interesting folk museum.
You can retrace the footsteps of Ulysses at Calypso's Cave, in the cliffs
overlooking Ramla Bay on the northeastern coast. Other spelunking
opportunities include the underground Alabaster Caves in the tiny town of
Xaghra, a couple of kilometres southwest of Ramla Bay. The Ggantija temple
complex, also near Xaghra, is the most spectacular in Malta.
Source: http://www.yahoo.com
This 3000-year-old city, once the political centre of Malta, is filled
with Norman and baroque buildings and narrow cobblestone streets. Perched
on a rocky outcrop about 15km (9mi) west of Valletta, the so-called Citta
Notabile - Noble City - has a commanding view of the island. Its nickname
derives from the many aristocratic Maltese families who still live in
town. The best-preserved medieval building is the Norman-style Palazzo
Falzon, built in 1495. Mdina has a beautiful main piazza, where you'll
find the 11th-century Roman Catholic Sicula-Norman Cathedral, one of the
few buildings to survive an earthquake in 1693. The cathedral museum
houses a collection of Dürer woodcuts. The nearby suburb of Rabat (which
translates roughly as 'suburb') has the interesting Museum of Roman
Antiquities, which offers exhibits on the island's 1000 years under Roman
rule.
Hagar Qim
Step back into the Copper Age at these prehistoric temples. Dating from as
early as 3800 BC, Hagar Qim and the other Neolithic temples on Malta are
the oldest known human structures in the world. This megalithic temple
complex is adorned with carved animals and idols, sacrificial altars and
oracular chambers, all executed with nothing more than flint and obsidian
tools. Giant limestone slabs form a series of ovals laid out in a pattern
that some archaeologists have compared to Mother Goddess figurines found
on the site. The view of the Mediterranean and the nearby island of Filfla
is one of the best in Malta. Hagar Qim and its neighbour, the Mnajdra
temple, are near the village of Qrendi, about 15km (9mi) southwest of
Valletta.
Gozo
Gozo has a distinct character all its own. The countryside is prettier
than that of its larger neighbour, the pace is slower and there are far
fewer tourists. The island has its share of medieval architecture and
prehistoric temples, making it a great place to escape the tourism mill
while experiencing the best of what Malta has to offer. The commercial
centre of the island, Victoria, has a sleepy 17th-century feel. The view
from atop the Citadel, or 'Gran Costello', takes in the entire island. The
Norman House, on the Citadel's grounds, houses an interesting folk museum.
You can retrace the footsteps of Ulysses at Calypso's Cave, in the cliffs
overlooking Ramla Bay on the northeastern coast. Other spelunking
opportunities include the underground Alabaster Caves in the tiny town of
Xaghra, a couple of kilometres southwest of Ramla Bay. The Ggantija temple
complex, also near Xaghra, is the most spectacular in Malta.
Source: http://www.yahoo.com
Email
Print
SPAM
LEAVE A COMMENT
