Girgenti Inquisiter's Summer Residence and other Malta Off The Beaten Path Tips

This charing Palace hidden in the Girgenti countryside was built in 1625 as a summer residence for the Inquisiters in Malta. See Vittoriosa Main Inquisiter's palace When the French conquered Malta in 1798 and two years later by the British, this palace passed hands as a summer residence for the Governors. Nowadays as expected, it is habited in summer, by the Prime Minister.
Unfortunately, the palace is not opened for public. It can only be viewed from the Girgenti valley. The main facade consists of the palace itself (which is not much bigger than a villa), the chapel dedicated to St Carlo Borromeo, and the glass paned corridor that connects them. Click on pic to see more photos of the chapel and garden.

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Although referred to as a Tower it is really a fortified country house built in 1657 and has a unique shape of St Andrew's Cross with sixteen sides. The Tower was built as a defensive building against the invasions of the Turks particularly from St Thomas Bay below. On entering one finds a beautiful round domical-roofed room leading to four smaller ones forming the four arms of the cross. On the left hand side is a staircase leading to the roof from where one can enjoy the beautiful scenery. Around the Tower is a two-metre ditch and what was formerly a draw-bridge. In the ditch lies a fourth century Roman Tomb which was probably originally from the Phoenician period. Click on pic to see more related photos.

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The British military constructed a series of Defensive lines, forts and other fortifications right above the Great Fault which is a natural geaographical barrier which practicallt divides Malta in two parts. The Lines cross the island from one side (Fomm ir-Rih) to the other (Bahar ic caghaq). The 12 Kilometre fortification was named after Queen Victoria on her 60th Anniversary as a Soverign of the British Empire. The Victoria lines are protected under the UNESCO World Heritage List. Click on Photo to see more pictures.

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The area around Mqabba, Qrendi and Safi, is litterally surrounded by Limestone Quarries. Most of the building in Malta is built up with stones cut from these quarries (Globegerina Limestone).The stone is quite soft and is capable of being cut by an electric sawing machine, but hardens when it becomes dry. Not quite a tourist attraction but if you're driving in those areas it's quite impressive and worth a look.

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When Valletta was built in 1566 by the Knights, the main problem was fresh water supply, thus several measures were set up to conserve water resources. The provision of fresh water was considered to be of paramount importance to the inhabitants of Valletta since the lack of it could have drastic consequences especially during a siege. Regulations were set up to prohibit gardens in the city and enforce the construction of a well in every house. These measures were, however, insufficient and several attempts by various grandmasters followed to further secure the water supply in the city.
In 1610 Grandmaster Alof de Wignacourt assigned a task to engineer Bontadino de Bontadini who worked out a plan by which naturally occurring spring water found at Rabat could be brought to the new Capital. A 16 km aqueduct starting from Rabat through Attard, Lija, Balzan, Mosta, Zebbug, Hamrun, Qormi, Floriana and Valletta was constructed. In 1615 the first fresh water coming from the northern regions of Malta appeared in Valletta.
Most of the aqueduct nowadays is either destroyed or lies beneith the roads. A good part of the Aqueduct in Birkirkara was fully renovated to the original look.

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Up to year 1930's this Public Garden was a Railway station which was half way between Valletta and Mtarfa. Situated just by the Bus 71 terminus. Not much to see if you're not a Railway Station Fan, but worth a look if you're in that area. Click pic for more photos.

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A private owned ' Classic Car Collection'. The only one of its' kind in Malta. Should not be missed by automobile enthusiats. Opening hrs; 0930 - 1800 Weekdays and 0930 - 1230 on Saturdays. Entrance fee is Lm2.75 ( appx 7 Euros ).

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Website: http://www.classiccarsmalta.com/
Other Contact: Address : Tourists Street, Qawra

This is one of the few places on the south coast where you do not have to scramble down the cliff sides for a swim. It is also a very popular place for a picnic, with tables and benches laid out above the sea. There is bar and sea view restaurant nearby which serves local specialities. The resort takes its name from the cave below the car park. Steps and concrete paths have been provided for the visitors. The main cave is on the opposite side of the bay from the car park and a ladder is required. A narrow entrance leads to a low flat cave and a number of other entrances. Depth 12m. There is a coastal path starting here leading to the Blue Grotto. Click on Pic to see more photos.

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Other Contact: Take bus 94

On your way from Attard to Rabat as you pass Ta Qali at the beginning of the hill look on your right and you should see this tree.

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Grand Master Antoine de Paule built this Palace as his summer residence in 1628. Further embellishments were carried out during the Knights' Rule, including the Irrigation system, and the Chapel inside the Palace by Grand Master De Vilhena some 100 years later. The gardens around the palace are the best example of a botanical garden in Malta. Various kinds of ficus, palm, eucalyptus and citrus trees can be found in here. After the knights, the Palace was the quarters for the Maltese Resistance against the French, later as an official residence to the British Governors. In 1882 the gardens were opened to the public. When Malta became a Republic in 1974, San Anton Palace became the official residence of the President of Malta. Please click on pic to see more photos and see also the 'San Anton Travelogue' in Malta page

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Other Contact: Take bus 40 from Valletta.