Today we were in Malta. Never really thought about Malta before, but Bos happened to be reading a book about the first Crusade, so this visit fit right in. You see, Malta is a really strategic location for traffic in the Mediterranean and was very important not only for the Crusades in the 16th century, but also critical during World War II. In addition, there are vestiges of Roman ruins there, as well as other cultures through history.
Malta owes its fame to the Knights of St. John, who, during the Crusades, planned the city as a refuge to care for injured soldiers and pilgrims involved in those ventures. You’ve heard of the Knights Hospitalers? Well, they were here. And, because they realized they needed to defend the island from others who recognized its value, they were able to get Pope Pius V and Philip II of Spain to fund the project, which included a massive fortified city with lots of defenses.
The head man of the Knights of St. John was called The Grand Master and he lived in a palace worthy of a Grand Master. There are more palaces here than the 300+ churches! And the island had 38 Grand Masters until Napoleon threw out the last Grand Master when Napoleon was on his way to Egypt. The city of Valletta was named for Grand Master La Valette, the gallant hero of the Great Siege of 1565, when the Ottomans tried to take the island and lost to the Knights.
The cities on the three islands that make up Malta have the feeling of Moorish Italianate cities. THe buildings are very Italian in my eyes, but with moorish style. I know that sounds strange, but even their language, which is unique to Malta alone, has a mixture of 80% Arabic and the rest is a polyglot of Spanish, Italian, and ENglish. And this is the only country where it is spoken. However, nearly everyone here speaks English as well. And they drive on the “wrong” side of the road, as the English were the last people to govern it before it got its independence.
During World War II it was the most bombed city, they maintain. And, in fact, we saw a domed church that is the third largest in the world next to St. Peters and St. Pauls. In WWII the Germans dropped a bomb through the center of the dome, it dropped to the floor, rolled around and never went off. There were three hundred people in the church at the time. That occurred on the birth of Mother Mary. So the citizens of Malta always celebrate that day as the day they were saved by Mother Mary!
Conclusion: It is a very friendly little country. It feels more like Europe than like Libya, it’s neighbor. It might be good for a quick holiday for Europeans. But all around you feel the history of particularly the Knights Hospitaller!
During World War II it was the most bombed city, they maintain. And, in fact, we saw a domed church that is the third largest in the world next to St. Peters and St. Pauls. In WWII the Germans dropped a bomb through the center of the dome, it dropped to the floor, rolled around and never went off. There were three hundred people in the church at the time. That occurred on the birth of Mother Mary. So the citizens of Malta always celebrate that day as the day they were saved by Mother Mary!
What a variety of cultures you have experienced! This to me has been a great itinerary as I have learned along with you. Keep posting as you will love this after you return and I am loving it as you go along because I know how you are doing--good & bad...
ReplyDeleteI never thought about Malta at all. What an interesting history!
ReplyDeleteThe comment about Malta being the most bombed city during the war really intrigued me so I went to the internet and found out that 14,000 bombs were dropped destroying 30,000 buildings. That really surprised me. Thanks for the all of the interesting information you have passed on.
ReplyDeleteThought Malta was really interesting. We saw some old buildings predating Stonehenge. You really have a gift for making places come alive. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI have been fascinated by Malta - it has a unique history and as the one survivors of 2 orders of knights (Templar and Hospitaliers) form the Crusades.
ReplyDeleteA lot of Sicilians go there for a quick holiday, because i understand that gambling is allowed there, and is strictly forbidden in Sicily due to the prevalence of organized crime even today.
You will also notice on some planes a circle with a dot in the middle. That is supposed to be a protection against the Evil Eye. Apparently it is a rather superstitious part of the world, too.