Wardija – St.Simon Chapel (Ref: pfm140180)
A chapel in the middle of nowhere. St. Simon Chapel in Wardija was built by Grandmaster Perellos, it was deconsecrated in 1616. After being rebuilt, the new chapel was blessed by Canon Dun Felic Cutajar on 22 April 1868. This small but beautiful neo-gothic chapel stands beside Qannotta castle and dominates the valley. Sadly it is deteriorating rapidly and the grounds are overgrown with huge weeds. It is said that its titular which was painted by Silvio Micallef, represented St Simon holding a large Saw. No one seems to know where this painting ended up. Source:...
Read MoreSenglea – Il-Gardjola Gardens (Ref: pfm130179)
Il-Gardjola Gardens in Senglea with a view of Valletta in the background. The gardens were planned by Grandmaster De La Sengle in 1551 with a lovely guard tower built on the tip of the bastions. The guard tower, ‘Il-gardjola’, has various symbols sculpted on in such as an eye, an ear and the crane bird, representing guardianship and observance protecting the Maltese shores. The eye on the tower is a popular icon representing Malta, featured in many brochures about the Island. The gardens have palm trees and provide a spot to relax under the shade while enjoying the view. The Gardjola was...
Read MoreGozo – Mgarr Ix-Xini (Ref: pfm130178)
Panorama of Mgarr Ix-Xini bay in Gozo. Mgarr ix-Xini is reputed to be one of the harbours used by the Knights’ galleys, and lies in a gorge accessible from Xewkija and Sannat. The entrance to this natural cove is guarded by a tower which was constructed by the government in 1661. A tempting walk from the bay to the tower through a restored ancient footpath is beyond doubt a unique experience. The bay is in itself the natural seaward estuary of a deep but beautiful natural valley. It has a small pebbly beach with intriguing caves on cliff faces. This secluded spot is ideal for...
Read MoreFiddien – Wayside Chapel (Ref: pfm130177)
A lonely chapel at ‘Tas-Salib’, limits of Fiddien. The original small church dedicated to ‘The Nativity Of Our Lady’ was built in the area in 1550 which remained closed for many years. The present chapel was re-built on the same site in 1615 by Gregorio Xerri and his wife. These days prayer meetings are held in the chapel. Source: http://allaboutmalta.blogspot.com/2011/01/wayside-chapels-6-nativity-of-our-lady.html Location Map for Chapel in Fiddien: View Chapel of The Nativity Of Our Lady at Fiddien in a larger...
Read MoreSiggiewi – Ghar Lapsi (Ref: pfm140176)
Rough seas battering the rocky caves in Ghar Lapsi in Siggiewi. This is more of a hidden cove rather than the normal definition given to a beach. It is situated around one kilometre from the popular Blue Grotto and is nestled underneath a less dramatic drop of Dingli Cliffs. Ghar Lapsi is a natural rocky swimming pool with a cave to compliment the beautiful surroundings. It is particularly popular with snorkelers due to being a naturally protected spot and with divers as an underwater shallow cavern leads out to the open Mediterranean Sea. Apart from a few small areas of flat rock, there is...
Read MoreBirgu – Fort St.Angelo (Ref: pfm140175)
A view of Fort St.Angelo and Birgu (Vittoriosa) from Senglea at night. Fort St. Angelo is the jewel in the crown of The Maltese Islands’ military heritage. According to legend, the fort stands on the site of a fortified Roman settlement. When the Knights arrived on the Island in 1530, the Fort became the seat of the Grand Master of the Order. It was to play a heroic role in the Great Siege of 1565, when, against all odds, it managed to repel a formidable Saracen armada. The epic resistance of the Knights during the three-month siege gave the Fort its legendary status. In the 19th century,...
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