Sights of Malta - outposts of medieval Europe

Many people call Malta a toy country. After all, on this island there are no mountains or rivers, and the city here is considered a village in several streets. But, despite this, for many centuries this state was at the center of many dramatic events taking place in Europe. These three small islands have absorbed a rich culture and history. And on the whole Earth there is no such corner, where in such a small territory so many inimitable cultural monuments were concentrated. Therefore, the sights of Malta - this is the age-old history of the whole of Europe.

And the inspection of this state begins with one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean, the capital of Malta - the city of Valletta. This is one of several medieval fortress cities that have survived to this day in Europe. And Valletta is a unique city, Malta's sights here are waiting for tourists almost on every corner. A significant part of modern Valletta is a complex of medieval defensive structures and buildings. And many of these structures are still used, but as entertainment and cultural facilities.

In Valletta are concentrated such sights of Malta, as, for example, the Palace of the Grand Master, which today serves as the residence of the president of the country and the seat of the parliament of this state. Also in this city is advised to see the Cathedral of St. John, the Palace of Castile, the fort of St. Elmo, the Armory Chamber of the Knights, the Palace of Provence, which houses the Archaeological Museum, and the Palais Parisio. And in the Admiralty of Valletta is now located the Museum of Fine Arts.

But not all of Malta's attractions are in its capital. Also worthy of attention and the ancient capital of this state, the city of Mdina. Its history begins over 4 thousand years ago. In those days, in the Bronze Age, this place was a fortified settlement. Then, a thousand years before our era, the Phoenicians built a city wall around Mdina. And in this city for all these centuries lived to know the state of Malta. The sights of this city can be mentally transferred to five centuries ago and imagine the life of a medieval city. Walking along the fortress walls, along the narrow streets of Mdina, you should see St. Paul's Cathedral, the Palace of the Inguan, the Greek Gate, the Palace of Hagia Sophia and the main gate of Mdina. Even in this "Silent City" is located the Church of the Carmelites, the Norman House, the Palace of Vilena, the Archbishop's Palace and the dungeon of Mdina.

Until recently, it was believed that the Egyptian pyramids are the oldest surviving structures on earth. But, according to the latest research of scientists, mysterious megalithic sanctuaries located in Malta turned out to be a thousand years older than the most ancient pyramids. These temples are decorated with reliefs depicting animals, and stone idols. And on their altars one can often find spiraling motifs. The most interesting of these sanctuaries are the temples of Mnaydra, Hajar Im and Tarshin. Also mysterious and original furrows, which are hollowed out in the rocks. They are found in the most diverse places on the island of Malta. The sights, the photos of which are below, are not found anywhere else.

More tourists will be interested to visit three cities that are located south of Valletta. These are Senglea, Cospicua and Vittoriosa. It was here that the Knights of the Order of Malta settled when they first arrived in Malta. And these are the only cities that have survived in Europe so far, which were protected by two rows of fortress walls. There are also many exceptional architectural monuments, such as the Palace of the Inquisitors, the Bishop's Palace, the Fort of St. Angelo, the Church of the Annunciation, the Museum of Navigation and the Church of St. Lawrence.