Malta - From the Crusades to the base of tourism in the Mediterranean

The contrasts are many on this trip and the arrival to the island of Malta surprises us. The arrival at its port is surely one of the most impressive in the world.

The Maltese cross is the symbol associated to the Order of Malta Knights (Knights Hospitaller). The eight-pointed cross is in the form of four "Vs" joining each other at its apex, leaving the two ends expand symmetrically. Its "design" is based on crosses used since the First Crusade.

When in the mid-sixteenth century the knights were in Malta, the "design" now known as the "Maltese Cross" was associated with the island. The Maltese cross was minted in two thousand coins in old Maltese currency.  Currently Maltese cross is printed since 2008 on the back of the coins of one and two euros.

The impressive bastions of Valletta and the gardens of Upper Tent are a must to visit, such as the interior of St. John's Co-Cathedral, where you can admire a  masterpiece of Caravaggio and visit the inside of the Magistral Palace with its tapestries superb and their cabins.

In the narrow streets of Malta's capital are a number of shops and craftsmen performing works in silver that we can hardly resist as there are true works of art desirable prices.

Passing through typical Maltese village in Cirkewwa can take the public ferry to Gozo, Malta's sister island. The trip takes about thirty minutes and is fully justified. Arriving at the port of Mgarr and continuing towards the Ggantija Temples in Xaghra, have a happy encounter with these monuments of pre-historic culture.