WELCOME

This blog is dedicated to Malta - my island home. My aim is not to bore you with history but to share my thoughts and a few facts together with a photo or two. For a more in -depth background of the island please go here. The purpose of this blog is not to point out the short-comings of the island. There are plenty that do that already. My wish is to show you the beauty of an island at the cross roads of the Mediterranean, a melting pot of history; a place where fact and fiction are sometimes fused to create unique myths and legends; a country that has been conquered so many times that our culture is a mish mesh of the lands that surround us and of lands far away. I confess that my greatest desire is to make you fall in love with this tiny enchanting island.

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Thursday 28 November 2013

Bingemma Gap and The Victoria Lines

Picnic at Dwejra (117)

Situated on the edge of the Great Fault that runs across the entire breadth of the island, the Church of Our Lady of Itrea is surrounded by some of the most picturesque scenery that Malta has to offer. It almost looks as if one gust of wind will send this little chapel crashing down into the valley. But is has withstood the test of time.

Picnic at Dwejra (119)

Its unique location ensures that it takes my breath away every time I pass by. Although this area is rich in archeological discoveries, perhaps it is most well-known for the line of defenses that was built by the British in the late 19th century.

Picnic at Dwejra (118)

On this island that possesses few natural barriers, man-made fortifications abound. The eastern coastline, where the main harbour is situated, has been heavily protected with castles, forts and high bastion walls for hundreds of years. In other areas, impenetrable walls of upper coralline limestone rise majestically from the blue sea. But the sandy beaches of the northern part of the island provided an easy landing place for any marauding pirates or corsairs; and where pirates could land, so could an army. In 1870 the British decided to make the most of a natural fault, running from Madliena in the east to Bingemma in the west, and built the Victoria Lines. The Victoria Lines, which stretch for 12km, are further strengthened by 4 forts and a number of gun batteries. Originally called the North West Front, the wall was re-named the Victoria Lines to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897.

Picnic at Dwejra (122)

Bingemma, Gnejna & Dwejra (13)

Nowadays, the Victoria Lines are very  popular with hikers. The route is quite easy as you simply follow the Great Fault Line. Walk guides for the different sections of the route may be found here.

Location: Bingemma

Sunday 3 November 2013

Merchants’ Street On An Autumn Afternoon

Valletta on a Sunday (103)

An all but deserted Merchant’s Street on a Sunday afternoon. To the left of the picture, Palazzo Parisio (where Napoleon resided for seven tumultuous days in 1798), now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Auberge de Castille (the office of the Prime Minister). To the right, Auberge d’Italie which currently houses the Malta Tourism Authority. In the foreground, St James Cavalier, Centre for Creativity. I just love how the camera caught the rays of the sun and turned them into orbs of light, giving a different dimension to the photo. A typical autumn day in Malta – blue skies with just a hint of clouds.

Location: Merchants Street, Valletta

November 2012

The Azure Window: the end of an icon

The Azure Window was a natural limestone arch that rose majestically out of the blue Mediterranean sea to a height of 28 metres (92 fee...