Malta teaser
Malta's fortiforcations have withheld andprotected the inhabitants of the island from centuries of invaders
- Overlooking Valletta bay from the historic war museum viewpoint
An old British colonial outpost strategitly positioned close to Sicily and dissecting sea routes between Europe and North Africa, Malta was ideally located as the perfect natural fortification for the British and allied troups during the 1st and 2nd world wars.
Byazaniantian rulers, The Knights Templers during andafter the crusades also found refuge within the deep protected harbours which have been sheltered moorings for numerous sea farers, explorers and travellers throughout history.
Many Cruise lines visit Malta
Today is no different, Cruise ships nestle with luxury yachts, fishing boats and pleasure cruisers all that utilise these rocky protected inlets found in all area of the coastal boundary of this small group of islands.
Yachts moored in St Julian's Bay in front of casino building
Malta the largest of the islands offers the best location, in particularly the 3 cities of the capital Valletta, Sliema and St Julian’s bays all of which ply various mooring and docking facilities for local, tourism andocean going trade, dry docks for ship repair, military moorings visitors and tourists have access to all these picturesque ports during a harbour cruise.
Saturated withcathedrals, Churches with many palaces, noblemen’s homes and grand building, the famous Maltese narrow streets, steeply stepped walk-ways within the cities and towns build of a mellow yellow sandstone brick are reminiscent of Spanish and Portuguese building of the same era.
Basilica Ta Pinu Gharsi Gozo. Built 1920 on the site of a chapel dating back to 1575
Over-hanging balcony rooms of simple and ornate design remind the traveller of the streets around Latin American ports particularly Lima in Peru. Baroque interiors hidden behind paladin facades offer the viewer a pleasing insight to this once thriving trade centre.
The golden hues of the mellow stonework of Valletta buildings
Some of the privately owned noble houses and palaces are under going restoration and this is true of the Palazzo Parisio anditsgardens found in the inner villageof Naxxar (pronounced Naar) This nobleman house hidden behind a modestexterior has been exuberantly andlavishly decorated by the finest craftsmen of the times during its history whilst being the home of the Grand Masters of the Knights of St John, Sicilian and Maltese nobility and at one time a Jesuit community.
Ornate painted ceiling details Palazzo Parisio
Built in 1733 by the Portuguese Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena(the Knights of Malta) of the Knights of St John, a man responsible for many of the grand building in Malta, who was known to have a instinctive eye for architecture.
The Pompeian Dinning Room at Palazzo Parisio
Purchased in the mid-19th Century by the Marquis Giuseppe Scicluna from the Parisio familyitwas he who enriched its interiors with style and opulence to what it is today and the continued upkeep,restoration and heavy responsibility to maintain this inheritance remains in the descendants of the Scicluna family today.
Its interiors are continued to be paintakingly restored to exactly the original inspirational designs of the first Marquis Scicluna, the islands most famous philanthropist who altered the palazzo into a beautiful country house during the height of the Victorian era.
The Ballroom with unparelleled gilded plasterwork incorporates symbols of art, literature,music, religion. sea,theatre, war and astronomy.
Today the interiors rich in fine frescoes, marbled walls and flooring, trompes l’oeil, extravagant gilding, rare paintings and ornaments, draw tourists and historians alike. Its landscaped gardens of internationally famous design have been likened to a smaller Versailles.
The author and his family in the grounds of palazzo Parisio
