BURLINGTON..  
ACADEMY
The Burlington, Dragonara Road, St. Julians STJ 06, Malta  
Tel: (356) 21 38 31 81/4 Fax: (356) 21 38 31 81
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 CRADLE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN
.........and sailing
 Malta has often been referred to as the island of sunshine and history and with good reason. For, throughout your stay in Malta you will find a surfeit of both. 
 Malta's history was, in a sense, pre-destined for it by its excellent natural harbour and strategic location. The harbour provided a sheltered base for naval fleets whilst the island itself, situated at the cross-roads of the medierranean, enabled its colonising power to exercise control over shipping in this vast and turbulent sea. Hardly surprising therefore, that Malta has always exerted an irresistible attraction to the world military powers of successive epochs. Control over Malta was a prerequisite to domination of the Mediterranean and for this reason all the various powers that, at one time or other, held sway over the Mediterranean at the same time exercised control over Malta. The long list of Malta's colonizers, the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Norman's, Castillans,		 Knights of St. John, the French, and finally, the British is indicative of the important role Malta played in the moulding of European and Mediterranean history. The list of important visitors to the island, from the Apostle Paul to Napoleon and Nelson is equally impressive. It is no exaggeration therefore, that Malta's history is a good starting point for a study of the history of the region. 
 If you want to enjoy Malta soak up its history. History, in Malta, stares you in the face and you cannot escape from it. The good thing is that you will enjoy its captivating intensity.		  
 ...    
 HISTORY OF MALTA    
 The intelligent visitor is never satisfied with just skimming the surface of this holiday destination. His appetite for learning urges him to delve deeper into the origins and history of the country and the people he is visiting. In this respect few other countries provide as much satisfaction as Malta, for the island is steeped in history. Every square inch of its land and its temples and monuments bear witness to a civilization which, in may ways, is unparalleled. 
 In spite of its small size Malta's strategic location, at the cross-roads of the Mediterranean, has played a very important role in the vicissitudes of the region, right from the early days of civilization up to the present times. 
 All the various periods of Malta's history make fascinating reading, but there are two particular periods - the neolithic period and the period of the Knights of St. John - which stand		 however, has shown that the earliest Neolithic temples on Malta are about 1000 years older than the famous pyramids of Giza. Huge rocks, several tons in weight were used in the construction of these temples. Even with modern techniques and tools this would not be an easy task today. How these enormous loads were moved, or even lifted, 5000 or 6000 years ago, remains a mystery. 
 The earliest temples, such as the one at Ggantija on Gozo, were built by the piling go huge rocks on top of each other. They did not have any carving or decoration. Later temples, such as the one at Hagar Qim, in Malta were made of huge stones fitting very closely together and ornately decorated. Carving was done with only very primitive flint and obsidian tools. No archaeological remains made of metal from this period have been discovered on Malta. One theory is that this prehistoric people did not use metal because they foresaw, in it		 Equally strange and mysterious are the cart ruts found on many of the rocky ridges in Malta. The most popular theory is that these were made by primitive slide-carts used before the invention of the wheel.
  
......Hagar Qim, one of Malta's Megalithic temples		   
...Inside a Megalithic Temple
out from the rest because they are unique to Malta. On their own the remains of these two periods constitute a good enough reason to visit Malta.  use, their own future destruction. 
 The subterranean burial place at Malta's Hal Saflieni, the so called Hypogeum, is an even more astonishing relic and its accidental discovery in 1902 caused quite a sensation in world archaeological circles. The temple must been literally carved in the rocks over hundreds of years with simple tools made from flint and obsidian. Starting at ground level the Hypogeum descends several storeys below ground and covers an area of more than 500 square metres. The Hypogeum was certainly a place of worship and burial - the bones of over 7000 people have been found - and could also have been a place for the training of priestesses. A number of relics support this hypothesis. 
 All trace of the mysterious people who built the Hypogeum disappeared suddenly around 2000 BC - at the heights of their culture. How this peaceful people disappeared we will never know. It remains pure speculation as to whether out this unarmed, unfortified people, or whether a sudden epidemic destroyed all human life on Malta for centuries.		  
 
......Plan of a Megalithic Temple
 
......The Hypogeum
The Neolithic Temples - glimpses of a mysterious past 
 Until recently, the egyptian pyramids were thought to be the oldest architectural monuments in existence. Recent archaeological research
 ...    
 ...    
 CULTURE    
 The Knights 
 Many hundreds of years after the Neolithic period and precisely in 1530, the Knights of the Order of St. John brought about another epoch of great cultural significance to the island. This is not to say that between the sudden disappearance of the Neolithic culture and the arrival of the Knights nothing had happened. Quite the contrary. Many relics and remains bear witness to important historical events in this period. However, no unique or individual culture had originated from the many peoples - the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Castilians - who colonized the island in this prolonged interval. 
 The history of the Knights of St. john begins in the middle of the eleventh century in the Holy Land. The Order's original duties were to care for the sick and wounded Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land and to help the poor. But very soon their duties expanded; the fight against the 'infidels' became of equal or		 unimaginable ferocity. Although heavily outnumbered, the Knights stood firm and finally won, assisted by the Maltese people and by last minute reinforcements from Sicily. The Turks had no alternative but to beat retreat leaving behind them an impressive number of dead amongst whom feared corsair Dragut. 
 The Knights of St. John had successfully protected Southern Europe and Christendom. 
 After their victory against the Turks, the Knights turned enthusiastically to further development of Malta and Gozo. A golden era in culture, architecture and the arts followed. many of Malta's most attractive buildings were built during this period. A new fortress city, Valletta, was built and named in honour of the Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette under whose inspired guidance the Knights and the Maltese had defied the Turkish onslaught. 		  Thus when, in 1798, Napoleon, on his way to Egypt, dropped anchor outside Grand Harbour on the pretext that his expedition needed fresh water supplies, he found an Order which had lost its morale. Not surprisingly, the French Navy did not have to fire a single shot to secure Malta's surrender from the Knights. On the 12th June , Napoleon entered Valletta bringing to an end 268 years of rule by the Knights of St. John. Napoleon spent six eventful days in Malta during which, through numerous edicts, he tried to transform the island into a typical 'Department' of France. 
 However, French rule in Malta was short lived. By 1800 the Maltese, with the help of Nelson, managed to drive the French garrison out of Malta and sought the protection of the British throne. that was to mark the beginning of a close association between Malta and Britain lasting over 160 years, Malta became independent in 1964 and adopted a Republican Constitution in 1974.
  
......Senglea, viewed from Valletta 

even greater importance. The Knights became 'Soldiers of Christ'. They acquired and maintained huge estates and castles in the Holy Land and finally owned a large fleet.

   
...Cathedral of Mdina - Malta's silent city
With the loss of Acre to the Moslems in 1291, however, the fate of the Knights was sealed. They withdrew to Rhodes and acted as a shield against the Turks for two centuries until 1522 when Suleiman the Magnificent ousted the Knights from Rhodes. They now needed a new homeland and, in 1530, moved to Malta to which they were given tenure by Emperor Charles V. 
The Knights quickly improved trade and commerce on the islands, built new hospitals and, most important, erected new strong fortifications. But Suleiman wanted to destroy the Order completely and use Malta as a base from which to attack Southern Europe. In 1565 he set out with a strong fleet to drive the Knights out of Malta. 
 The siege which his navy laid on Malta, referred to by the Maltese as the Great Siege of 1565, lasted four months with		 Valletta is one of the earliest examples of planned city built on the grid system. the Knights of St. John, coming as they did from the richest families in Europe, could afford to hire the best talent available and the buildings of Valletta, its fortifications and the art treasures in its museums and churches re the work of the best European engineers and artists of the time. It was the magnificence of its palaces and other treasures that led Sir Walter Scott to describe Valletta as 'The city built by gentlemen for gentlemen'. 
 The fall of the Ottoman Empire marked the beginning of the end of the military vocation of the Order. The absence of a serious military threat to the Order's existence, increasing wealth, arrogance, lack of discipline and debauchery ate into the moral fabric of the Order.
......Auberge de Castile - the Prime ......Minister's Office
...
THE MALTESE PEOPLE - FRIENDLY AND RELAXED
Visitors to Malta are invariably struck by the rare sense of hospitality and friendliness of the Maltese people. 
 The Apostle Paul, who was shipwrecked off Malta in AD 60, was probably the first long stay winter visitor to the island and the hospitality shown him by the locals is well recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. Two thousand years later Maltese hospitality remains as warm and as unaffected as it was then. The Maltese welcome the company of foreigners and being helpful to them comes naturally. Also, they take great interest in what is happening in the rest of the world, and, with their flair for languages, communication with visitors is easy. they have an admirable sense of humour and		 villager, is draped with red damask and decorated with beautiful flowers. All its gold and silver treasures, as well as the crystal chandeliers, are put on display thus creating a fitting setting for the statue of the patron saint which is placed in a prominent position in the Church. The church facade is illuminated with hundreds of multicoloured bulbs, as also are the streets, across which are suspended massive and colourful balconies which are typical of Maltese traditional houses. The houses on the main streets, through which the religious procession passes, are generally given a fresh coat of paint for the occasion, and on festa day  Besides the local parochial 'festas', there are other which re celebrated on a national scale. The 'Imnarja' (a corruption of Italian 'luminaria' - illumination), a Harvest festival which is celebrated on june 29, is characterized by a night long picnic at Buskett Gardens, Rabat on the eve of which the native dish, stewed rabbit, is consumed in large quantities, accompanied by equally large volumes of wine. Exhibits of local agricultural produce, band marches, decorated carts and folklore singing competitions enliven the night long proceedings. The following day, the festivities reach a climax when bare-back donkey and horse races are held in the street leading to Rabat. The prizes awarded for these races are 'palji' (brocaded banners) which the winners traditionally donate to 
......The pace of life in Malta		 are lit up and adorned so that they look their best. 
 There is a three-day build-up to the feast and the atmosphere throughout is one of gaiety and merriment. On the festa day, as the statue of the saint is carried shoulder high along the streets of the village the church bells ring and several massed bands play marches. 
......Fireworks and illuminations on Festa Day
Children throw confetti from balconies on to the passing procession. The nougat and candy floss stands make excellent business whilst the crowds walk up and down the village street stopping every now and then for a drink ot to greet an old friend. The noise becomes quite deafening as the statue is about to re-enter the church; at this stage noisy but colourful fireworks are let off in abundant quantities. their village church. 
 The 8th September Regatta held in Grand Harbour, celebrates Malta's victories during the Great Siege of 1565 and the Second World War. The magnificent Fort St. Angelo provides an imposing backdrop to the sleek and colourful Maltese boats. rowing teams from the cities bordering Grand Harbour take part in a number rivalry between the participating teams and their respective supporters. 
 
Folklore and festivals 
The Maltese love festivals and the warm Maltese climate makes it possible to enjoy these colourful events throughout the whole year. 
 Between May And October every town and village in Malta and Gozo celebrates the feast day or 'festa' of its patron saint. The festa is the most important event in each village's annual calendar and the villagers eagerly look forward to this very special day. 
 Considerable preparation goes into these celebrations. The village church, which is the pride of every 
...A traditional horse drawn cab: the ...'Karrozzin'		 The Maltese really let their hair down in the revelry of Carnival in mid February. The main defile takes place in the capital, Valletta, but in every town and village children dress up in colourful clothes and cover their faces in masks or make-up to camouflage their identity. the Valletta defile is very spectacular containing as it does many floats of a high professional standards.
 
Carnival, a colourful experience		 The Maltese specialize in the manufacture of fireworks and, in Maltese inter village rivalry, fireworks often constitute the bench mark for comparing the success of the various festas. During the summer season there is a festa practically every weekend and no holidaymaker to Malta should leave the island without experiencing one.
......Mediterranean sea food at its best
THE PERFECT WINTER HOLIDAY DESTINATION
The sun worshipper who flees Northern Europe's cold and damp winter finds in Malta the perfect refuge. For Malta guarantees warmth and sunshine also at winter-time with temperatures averaging 14C and a minimum average 6 hours of sunshine per day. 
 Winter in Malta is brief and mild. Snow, fog or mist are quite unknown and annual rainfall averages only about 20 inches. Many would argue, with justification, that winter is one of the best times to appreciate the Maltese countryside after the very hot dry summer. Exploring the Maltese countryside in winter can be very rewarding as Malta, like many other countries, has a number of scenic spots which are only accessible on foot. Hikers who take the trouble to get to them will not be disappointed. Indeed both Malta and Gozo are highly recommended for walking holidays in winter time. 
 Malta's mild climate, even in winter, makes it possible to practise with a variety of outdoor sports. Football is the most popular game and the Ta'Qali stadium is the venue for the more important local and international games. Malta offers facilities for practically all kinds of sport and the Marsa Sports Club boasts an 18 hole golf course, 18 tennis courts, a racetrack and several badminton and squash courts and football pitches. Many of the leading hotels in Malta have recently added health and fitness facilities so that you do not have to go far to keep fit. Table tennis, snooker and darts are very popular indoor games and facilities are available at every town and village in Malta. 
 After a day's hectic touring, what better way to restore oneself than a good meal at a Maltese restaurant. Malta will not disappoint you - the standard of food served in Maltese hotels and restaurants today is comparable to the best you get anywhere else in the world. Ask for the local dishes and you will be pleasantly surprised. The soups are delicious and quite filling whilst the fish is fresh and tasty. Lampuka is a fish unique to Malta and appreciated by all visitors but there is a very wide range to chose from. Stewed rabbit is the national dish and is usually proceeded by spaghetti in a delightful wine sauce. Pasta plays an important role in the Maltese menu so be sure to try out one of the Maltese pasta dishes. The Maltese have a sweet tooth and you will be delighted by the range of excellent desserts on offer. 
 The theatre comes to life in winter and Malta is fortunate in having a gem of a theatre, the Monoel Theatre. Various operas, celebrity concerts and plays (some in English) are staged during the season. Some hotels have their own classical music festivals. 
 For those who enjoy the night life, Malta offers a number of smart and lively discos, equipped with the latest technology, where youngsters can dance away the early hours of the morning.
...Golf - the ideal winter sport in Malta
......Windsurfing - a popular sport ......throughout the year
......Ghajn Tuffieha Bay - a typical sandy beach in Malta
Most hotel pools are heated in winter
......Casino in St. Julian's
 If you like the occasional flutter try your luck at the tables of the palatial Casino de Malte in St.Julians. 
 Christmas is of course the biggest event in winter time and the Maltese celebrate it in quite a big way. In addition to the street lights and Christmas trees the Maltese specialise in the construction of cribs - some mechanized - and usually there are many open to public viewing. Christmas fare is traditional with turkey, pudding and pies. Midnight mass fills the churches, whilst carol singing and a short sermon delivered by one of the young boys of the village are always looked forward to by the local populace. 
 The month of February is enlivened by the three days of merrymaking of Carnival. Yes, winter can be dull - but not in Malta
......Disco in St. George's
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GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
 
Bright Sunshine
Rainfall
Temperature (in oC)
Sea
...Month
Hours
mm
Max.
Min.
oC
...January
5.46
90.1
15.1
9.5
14.5
...February
6.36
60.8
15.3
9.3
14.5
...March
7.33
44.7
16.5
10.2
14.5
...April
8.46
24.0
18.8
11.9
16.1
...May
9.99
8.9
23.1
15.1
18.4
...June
11.23
3.8
27.4
18.6
21.1
...July
12.15
0.9
30.2
21.2
24.5
...August
11.36
8.8
30.6
21.8
25.6
...September
9.00
40.4
27.8
20.4
25.0
...October
7.22
123.6
23.8
17.2
22.2
...November
6.5
76.8
20.0
13.9
19.5
...December
5.2
100.2
16.6
11.1
16.7
The table gives monthly averages taken over a period of 30 years for hours of bright sunshine temperature and rainfall
 
Geography 
 The Maltese archipelago consists of three inhabited islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino and two other uninhabited islands. They lie in the middle of the Mediterranean sea with Malta 93 km south of Sicily and 230 km north of North Africa. The total area is 316 square km (Malta 246, Gozo 67, Comino 2.7). 

Climate 
 The climate is warm and healthy. There are no biting winds, fog, snow or frost. Rain falls for only very short periods averaging about 578mm (20 inches) in a whole year. The temperature averages 14.1 oC in winter (November - April) and 32 oC in summer (May - October). The sun shines for an average 6.46 hours each day in winter and 10.11 hours in summer. The hottest period is from mid July to mid September. The island is seldom too hot even in the height of summer as hot summer days and nights are regularly tempered by cool breezes from the sea. 
 
 

 Malta 
 The longest distance in Malta from south-east to north-west is about 27 km and, at its widest point in an east west direction, measures 14.5 km. 
 Malta has neither mountains nor rivers. The island is characterised by a series of low hills with terraced fields on the slopes. 
 Malta's coastline has many harbours, bays, creeks, sandy beaches, and rocky coves. The length of Malta's shoreline is 137 km. 
Population : 350,000 
Capital : Valletta 
Main Seaport : Grand Harbour, Valletta. 
Airport : Luqa (6 km from Valletta) 

Gozo 
 Gozo, the island of the nymph Calypso, is smaller than its sister island Malta and has a character quite distinct from it. 
 

  The countryside is greener and more spectacular. Flat-topped hills characterise the landscape whilst the coast has rugged cliffs, penetrated by steep valleys and beautiful bays. Gozo is more rustic and quieter than Malta. It is 14.54 km long and 7.2 km at its widest point and its shoreline measures 43 km. 
Population : 25,000 
Capital : Rabat (victoria) 
Main Seaport : Mgarr 
There is no airport on Gozo 

Comino 
 Comino is the smallest island in the Maltese archipelago. Only a handful of farmers live there; neither cars nor other noisy activities disturb the peace of this little paradise. There is only one cosy beach hotel. If you are in your element in or beside the sea, then Comino is ideal. The many bays and rocks in Comino and the crystal-clear waters are ideal for any kind of water sports, especially snorkelling and diving. There is a regular ferry service to Malta and Gozo.