Malta - MT - MLT - MLT - Europe

Some of the many colorful fishing boats in Marsaxlokk harbor. Known as luzzu, these boats are always painted in bright shades of blue, yellow, green, and red with a pair of eyes. The Eye of Horus or the Eye of Osiris, thought to be brought to Malta by the Phoenicians, is said to protect fishermen at sea. The boats are also used to ferry locals and tourists across the Grand Harbor.

The old fortifications at the capital of Valletta date to the 16th century.

The Fountain of the Three Tritons, designed by Vincent Apap, stands outside of the main gate of the capital, Valetta. Fully constructed in 1959, the fountain depicts three bronze half-human, half-mermen – two sitting while the third is kneeling – holding a platter on a seaweed base. They symbolize strength and Malta’s relation to the Mediterranean Sea. In Greek mythology, Triton was Poseidon’s son and messenger of the sea. Over time, Triton(s) came to mean merman(en) in general.

A view of the statue of Neptune in the Presidential Palace courtyard in the center of Malta's capital city, Valletta. The Palace is the official office of the president of the Republic of Malta and has been the seat of authority in Malta since the 16th century, when it was known as the Magistral Palace. The site was among the first to be built in the new city of Valletta with construction occurring between 1566 and 1571. Under the British it served as the Governor's Palace. The House of Representatives used to be housed there until relocated to a new Parliament House at the entrance to Valletta.

Located in Palace Square, Valletta, the Sette Giugno (Italian for "Seventh of June") Monument commemorates the 1919 uprising against profiteering merchants and the colonial government. This event was a first step towards Maltese independence which arrived in 1964. Sculpted by Anton Agius and inaugurated on 7 June 1986, the monument features six men, two of whom stand defiantly holding the Maltese flag while the other four, representing the victims and the many who were injured in the riots, react to the events - with one succumbing to his wounds. Sette Giugno was made a national holiday in 1989.

The facade of the Collegiate Parish Church of Saint Paul's Shipwreck in Valletta. Saint Paul the Apostle is considered the spiritual father of the Maltese; his shipwreck on the island is described in the New Testament.

Statue of the Virgin Mary over the entrance to the Church of Saint Paul's Shipwreck in Valletta.

Closer view of the facade of the Collegiate Parish Church of Saint Paul's Shipwreck in Valletta. Saint Paul the Apostle is considered the spiritual father of the Maltese; his shipwreck on the island is described in the New Testament.

Malta is renowned for the historic use of indigenous wheat-colored limestone in the construction of roads, houses, hospitals, government buildings, shops, and forts. Valletta, Malta’s capital, has a medieval cityscape and elegant flagstone streets reminiscent of the 16th century. It is a popular tourist destination for its ancient architecture, pedestrian shopping, restaurants, and international community.

Statue of Queen Victoria outside Malta’s National Library in Republic Square, Valletta. Erected in 1891, the monument commemorates Queen Victoria’s 50th jubilee and was paid for by public subscription. The statue, made of white marble on grey stone steps with two coats of arms in bronze, is the work of Sicilian sculptor Giuseppe Valenti and depicts the Queen sitting with a shawl of Maltese lace draped over her lap. Malta was a British colony for 150 years before gaining its independence in 1964 and declaring itself a republic in 1974.

Plaque outside of the Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Valletta. Completed in 1598, the church was rebuilt in 1681 to correct structural problems. In the 1920’s, it was enlarged to include a dome. With its fine pipe organ built in 1932 and restored in 2014, Saint Francis often serves as one of the sites for the Malta International Organ Festival.

A view of the dome and altar of the Saint Francis Church in Valletta. While the church was built in 1598, the dome was not added until the 1920s.

Saint Francis Church (Valletta) ceiling painting near the dome.

Sculpture of warrior Knights of Malta at the Fort St. Elmo War Museum in Valletta. Most of Fort St. Elmo's defenses date to between 1552 and 1570s.

Located in the Upper Barrakka Gardens, the highest point in Valletta, is a marble and bronze plaque erected to honor the world famous theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein. This memorial is one of many plaques and statues dedicated to prominent people in the gardens. Built in 1661 as a private garden and exercise ground for the Knights of St. John, the public could only enter the Upper Barrakka gardens after the French occupation ended in 1800. Along with the statues and plaques are many colorful flowers and trees.

This statue of Maltese judge and man of letters, Giuseppe Nicolò Zammit, is in the Upper Barrakka Gardens; it was commissioned by the first British Governor, Thomas Maitland, upon Zammit’s death. Born around 1768, Zammit started practicing law on 28 May 1792. He was appointed judge on 27 May 1814, and became vice-president of the Court of Appeal on 1 January 1821. Zammit served in official posts under the Order of St John and the British, and was knighted in 1818. He died on 7 September 1823.

This bronze statue by Antonio Sciortino, located outside the entrance to the capital city of Valletta, was unveiled on 30 December 1917. It commemorates the 24th International Eucharistic Congress, the last of its type, led by Pope Pius X’s representative Domenico Ferrata, and attended by four Cardinals and 53 bishops. This modern contemporary style sculpture portrays an allegorical Malta kneeling and praying at the feet of Christ.

Although small in size (316 sq km; 122 sq mi), the independent republic of Malta is strategically located midway between the Strait of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal in the Mediterranean Sea. The country is made up of three inhabited islands that are visible in this image: the island of Malta, the largest, Gozo, and Comino, the smallest (situated between the two larger islands). The capital and largest city, Valletta, is mainly built around a rocky peninsula, arrow-shaped peninsula extends northeast between two natural harbors (small, narrow, dark features). The geological faulting in this area has produced numerous fine natural harbors around the periphery of Malta. Although the islands are composed of sedimentary rocks, mainly limestone and clays, the alkaline soils provide fertile conditions for the well-established agricultural economy. Precipitation amounts can be a problem in that the islands average only about 32 cm (12 in) per year. Malta has few natural resources so the growth of tourism, especially since World War II, has gradually added to the Maltese economy. Photo courtesy of NASA.

Saint Julian's (San Giljan) harbor at dusk.

Boat cruising in to Saint Julian's (San Giljan) harbor.

Comino, formerly called Ephaestia, is a small (3.5 sq km; 1.4 sq mi) bird sanctuary and nature reserve island in the Mediterranean Sea. Between Comino and the adjacent islet of Cominotto lie the transparent cyan waters of the Blue Lagoon, a picturesque bay with a white sandy base and rich marine life. The long and narrow bay surrounded by rock and a bit of sand is almost like a pool, making it ideal for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, or relaxing on the beach.

The prickly pear cactus, Opuntia, produces a delicious fruit that is enjoyed by many locals in Malta. The Maltese islands enjoy a typically warm Mediterranean climate with long, dry summers and cool, mild winters. Malta enjoys one of the most optimal arrangements of daylight hours in Europe, with about 3,000 hours of sunshine per year.

The Maltese celebrate religious feasts with carnivals. The most important carnival is held the week before Ash Wednesday in the Christian calendar. Today, the carnival fuses old and modern traditions, bringing a party atmosphere to Malta. Celebrations take the form of parades with elaborate costumes, massive colorful floats, dances, music, and costumed revelers.

Sliema (peace) is a town located on the northeast coast of Malta. It is a residential and commercial area, complete with shops, bars, and restaurants. Lining the coastline is a promenade for joggers and walkers.

A view of Marsaxlokk, a traditional Maltese fishing village located on the southeast side of the island. The 1833 parish church in the background is dedicated to Our Lady of Pompeii and is built on the site of an original 17th century church.

Some of the many colorful fishing boats in Marsaxlokk harbor. Known as luzzu, these boats are always painted in bright shades of blue, yellow, green, and red with a pair of eyes. The Eye of Horus or the Eye of Osiris, thought to be brought to Malta by the Phoenicians, is said to protect fishermen at sea. The boats are also used to ferry locals and tourists across the Grand Harbor.