Portal:Malta

Fort Saint Elmo is a fortification in Valletta, Malta. It stands on the seaward shore of the Sciberras Peninsula that divides Marsamxett Harbour from Grand Harbour, and commands the entrances to both harbours. Prior to the arrival of the Knights of Malta in 1530, a watchtower existed on this point. Reinforcement of this strategic site commenced in 1533, and the fort itself began to be built in 1552. By the time of the Ottoman Siege of Malta in 1565, this fortification had been reinforced and extended into a modest star fort. (more...)

Mellieħa (pronounced me-lee-ha), also called Il-Mellieħa, is a large village in the northwestern part of Malta. It is a popular tourist destination during the summer months. Mellieħa as a village developed under the British colonization. The British started proposing people to settle in this area by giving leases to the population. It was only during this time that it started to be inhabited again as for two centuries it was abandoned due to fear from attacks of corsairs and Saracens, and beforehand there were only some villagers used to live in the area. After the British encouraged Maltese to settle in Mellieħa, the village kept on flourishing. Nowadays, the village also includes a large number of villas. Many foreigners choose to settle in Mellieħa. (more...)

The Mdina Cathedral was designed by the well-known Maltese architect, Lorenzo Gafa. By this time he had already designed several churches in Malta and was at the height of his career. The perfectly proportioned façade and the dynamic dome make this the most impressive of all his churches. The work took just five years to complete and a number of houses were demolished at the same time to make way for a pjazza appropriate to the size and splendour of the church.

• ...that Malta gained independence in 1964?

• Ġgantija
• Ħaġar Qim
• Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni
• Mnajdra
• Megalithic Temples of Malta
• Valletta