Christmas street lights in Valletta
Valletta is a wonderful gateway to the rest of the island where you can spend a peaceful and relaxed Christmas vacations. Your stay in this wonderful city will make you feel as if you have stepped back in time and you will be able to experience the splendor of the Renaissance and Baroque architecture of this world heritage site. Those interested in Christmas shopping, will find the main shopping streets sparkling with festive lights and packed with shoppers. The weather is generally mild and even on the coldest days in winter, the sun usually makes a generous appearance. At the Christmas Market which is open daily you can buy the components for your own nativity scene, as well as sweets, toys and all sorts of Christmas-related ornaments and goodies. Shoppers can marvel at the elaborate additions to nativity scenes. For those interested in going to the theatre there is the Christmas Pantomine at the Manoel Theatre. This year’s theme is Pirates of the Mediterranean….. bearing gifts of pirate gold.
The Christmas Pantomine will be staged at the Manoel Theatre a short walk from Maison La Vallette. It is the oldest theatre in europe and dates back to 1732.
Throughout Valletta the great sixteenth century buildings, monuments and statues are bathed in light at night. The bastions and streets are light up and are themselves works of art. All the churches are at their best with gleaming chandeliers and nativity scenes. St John’s Cathedral a jewel of baroque architecture is a must during this time of year.
November, 2007
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Nov 07
Christmas in Valletta
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Nov 07
Palazzo Falzon – Mdina
The Norman House is situated in Triq Villegaigon, Mdina, and originally was a much smaller construction. The position of the main entrance of the earliest part of the Norman House was different than it is today. The main door overlooked a street that probably existed where the staircase now stands.
This part of the house is considered to date back to the fourteenth century and originally was a one-storey building. Another floor was added in the fifteenth century. As was customary in this period, the ground floor was used as a store, or stables and kitchen whilst the upper floor was used as living quarters. The existing courtyard and staircase date back to the sixteenth century.
The earlier part of the house follows the basic plan of the typical Maltese house or palace of that period. In plan the house at ground floor was divided into three rooms, the central one being a hall, which led to a courtyard at the back. An external staircase leads from the courtyard to the rooms at the first floor level.
The original one storey building had a very plain façade typical of the fourteenth century palace façades. These bleak barrack like façades were in fashion at that time and conscious attempts were made to obtain this effect. However the original plain façade was later changed.
The style of the architecture applied on the façade, namely the pointed arch, is fifteenth century Gothic. Another typical feature used is the triangular corbels. Here they are laid out in a double row below the string cornice and a single row below the cornice.
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, restoration works were carried out on the main front elevation of the Norman House. These interventions followed the principles of stylistic restoration in accordance to the school of thought of Viollet-Le-Duc. On the main façade a sham late medieval doorway with drip mouldings replaced a plain square-headed doorway and a narrow lancet window was widened in a segmental headed window. The central courtyard of the Norman House was also reconstructed to resemble examples of the late medieval buildings in Sicily.
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Nov 07
The Bakery next door
Maltese cooking is a conglomeration of traditional recipes handed down, combined with the influences left behind of the many foreign dominations, as well as a nod to its neighbors, Sicily and North Africa.
Since there has always been a lack of firewood on the island, the people of Malta long ago developed a slow-method of cooking. Food was placed in earthenware dishes over a little portable stone stove which they would sit by, constantly fanning and feeding bits of thistle and brushwood. Although gas ovens are now available, this slow simmer method is still preferred resulting in the tender falling-off-the-bone meat with deeply infused flavors.
Another charming holdover from long ago can be seen on Sunday mornings. Housewives line up at the local bakery holding a large linen-covered casserole of meat with potatoes or rice and tomato sauce, with a metal identity tag tied on. For a few coins, the woman will leave the dish to be baked, join her family at church, then stop by after services to pick up their Sunday supper along with some freshly baked bread.
One popular spot where this service is still provided by The Bakery (shown above) situated next door to Maison La Vallette. Maltese take their bread seriously… to the tune of two deliveries daily to ensure peak freshness. The small rolls or larger loafs all begin using some of the mother dough-similar to our sourdough, and are formed in traditional shapes- one being the sign of the cross. The large woodburning ovens bake the bread briefly at a high heat to produce a very crusty ouside which gives way to a delicious tender center, perfect for sopping up stews.
This same bread is used to make the ubiquitous hobs biz-zejt (pronounced hops-bees-ATE); these specialty sandwiches have a few variations but basically are: a slice of the staff-of-life, rubbed hard with a clove of garlic, then with a cut piece of tomato, followed by a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of sea salt. (Other additions can include capers, olives, or tuna.)
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Nov 07
Flea market in Valletta
Sunday Morning Market – flea market in Valletta
The Monti, as it is called locally, is a flea market held outside Valletta’s city walls, in front of St. James Bastion & St. James Counter Guard at the side of the bus station. This is the largest market in Malta and and interesting to have a look around. Hawkers start putting up their wares early in the morning. Everything is cleared by noon so start early ! During the week there is a daily open air market in Merchant Street near the Palace.
Both outdoor markets sell the usual merchandise sold in markets world wide, seconds, antiques, books, fake designer labels. If you are looking for a bargain amongst the brick a brac get there early. Don’t forget to polish up your bargaining skills.
There is also the old market – better known as Is-Suq. This is located behind the Grand Masters Palace. Here you will find fresh vegetables, fish, groceries, meat, herbs and spices. The building itself is worth a visit. It has a steel architecture quite rare locally.
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Nov 07
Casa Rocca Piccola – the splendour of Maltese Palaces
A Maltese family owned Palace in the heart of Valletta.
Casa Rocca Piccola is the home of The 9th Marquis and Marchioness de Piro. It is still privately owned and is a much loved family home. The value of Casa Rocca Piccola lies in its ability to provide unique historical evidence into the customs and traditions of the Maltese nobility over the last 400 years. You can also see a collection of furniture, silver and paintings that add to the aesthetic riches of this country. Casa Rocca Piccola contains over 50 rooms, the majority of which are open for viewing. Over the last few years a Museum of Costume has been opened in the property and also the World War II Air Raid Shelters have provided a dramatic and exciting addition to the tours of the house. This has all been made possible from the contributions that come in from the thousands of tourists who come to Malta and Valletta every year.
official website
Casa Rocca Piccola
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Nov 07
The Splendor of Maltese Palaces- Palazzo Parisio
Palazzo Parisio
Justifiably described as “a miniature Versailles”, Palazzo Parisio is a historic palace at the heart of the Maltese village of Naxxar, facing the baroque parish church dedicated to Our Lady in Victory Square. Now the home of the prominent, long-established and ennobled Scicluna family, in its time it has been the residence of the most popular Grand Master of the Knights of St John (the “Knights of Malta”), of Sicilian and Maltese nobility, and temporarily of the local Jesuit community.
Behind its relatively modest façade is a sumptuous and flamboyant chateau that has been constantly developed and lavishly decorated across the centuries in exuberant style by the finest and most eminent craftsmen of the time.
Today it stands painstakingly restored to follow exactly the inspirational designs of the first Marquis Scicluna, the island’s foremost philanthropist, who turned the palazzo into a beautiful country home for a noble family at the height of the Victorian era.
The interiors are rich with fine frescoes, magnificent marble, mirrored walls, trompes de l’oeil, rare paintings and extravagant gilding. The internationally recognized landscaped gardens, which are acclaimed as being among the finest in Europe, further reflect the splendour of this gracious home.
Palazzo Parisio
link to official website
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Nov 07
The Knights of Malta 1565
Knights Spectacular
A Musical Tale
A 50-strong cast, eight beautiful horses, dancing girls and valiant Knights in shining armour will dazzle you with this outstanding and gripping live spectacle at the Powerhouse Theatre at the Valletta Waterfront. Meet Melita, narrator and spectator, as she guides you through this engrossing and thrilling story, happening in 1565, the year of the Great Siege of Malta, one of the greatest sieges of European military history. Meet Maltese peasants celebrating a traditional festa, experience the majestic entrance of Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette and the Knights in shining armour on their steeds, and hold your breath as the Grand Master’s personal falconer manages to catch his falcon with extreme skill. The battle scenes are particularly effective, and there’s a touch of belly dancing as well. The theatre itself is housed in a converted building originally erected by the Knights of Malta and was last used as the island’s main power station. The entrance is marked by fjakkoli (fire torches) – so you can’t miss it – and the door is guarded by men in rich costumes.
Performances every Thursday at 20.30hrs
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Nov 07
Manoel Theatre
In a narrow street to the west of the Baroque city of Valletta stands one of the oldest theatres in Europe. It is certainly the oldest theatre in the Commonwealth. To this day, it is still, and will continue to be, a living, working theatre. Teatru Manoel was built in 1731, in just one calendar year, by the Portuguese Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena. De Vilhena was so personally involved in its conception and construction that it was paid for out of his own pocket.
Embellished over the centuries, this theatre is a true architectural gem. Today, the theatre is one of Malta’s foremost performing spaces, offering a wide range of productions including opera, ballet, contemporary dance, music, children’s performances and drama. Teatru Manoel’s visitors can enjoy the best of local talent and exciting foreign productions, take the guided tour to get a glimpse of the theatre’s history, visit the shop and enjoy a glass of wine in our courtyard. The theatre aspires to be accessible to all and offer unique and vibrant theatrical experiences.
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Nov 07
Malta sightseeing
Malta Sightseeing is offering sightseers hop on, hop off tours and passengers may hop on or off the bus at any of the stops.
The Red Tour takes passengers to some of the island’s most spectacular attractions, including the Upper Barrakka Gardens, Fort St Elmo, the Valletta Waterfront, Senglea Point, the Vittoriosa Waterfront, the Hypogeum, Tarxien Temples, Marsaxlokk, Ghar Dalam, the Blue Grotto and the Limestone Heritage. This is a circular route and returns to Sliema. Each bus is equipped with an audio system that provides information in eight languages: Maltese, English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Danish & Japanese.
Buses leave from Sliema every hour, starting at 0900 and the last bus leaves Sliema at 1500. Buses operate between Monday & Saturday (excluding Public Holidays).
Pickup
Departure from Sliema Ferries from Monday to Saturday excluding Public Holidays.