As our incredible week drew to a close, we couldn’t be more thrilled to share some of the standout moments that made this event truly unforgettable. From breathtaking venues to rich cultural experiences, this was a celebration of Malta at its finest.

We kicked off the week in grand style with an awe-inspiring conference setup at the Eden Arena. A massive 30-meter LED screen that created a powerful visual impact and set the tone for what was to come.

The evenings were equally memorable, each one embracing Malta’s unique heritage. One night began with a welcome drink at the historic Saluting Battery, followed by a lively Maltese band that led guests on a scenic walk to the Sacra Infermeria. There, local vendors and musicians brought the venue to life, offering guests an authentic taste of Maltese culture.

Of course, no visit to Malta would be complete without experiencing the magic of Mdina. Guests enjoyed a welcome drink on the bastions, soaking in panoramic views before being surprised by a fleet of vintage buses awaiting them outside the city walls. The journey ended with a beautiful dinner at Xara Lodge, where talented musicians created a warm and enchanting atmosphere.

To top it all off, our final evening was nothing short of spectacular. Despite the early spring chill, we transformed Fort Manoel into a dazzling venue with a stunning crystal tent. Guests were greeted by the Inguardia re-enactment group and welcomed by a speech from the Grand Master himself. The night unfolded with a delicious dinner and a powerful performance by a brass band.

This event was a true testament to what can be achieved through teamwork, passion, and dedication. A heartfelt thank you to all the incredible suppliers, crew members, and partners who helped turn this vision into a reality.

Let’s start planning the next one

On Wednesday, March 19th, Malta celebrates the feast of St. Joseph, a public holiday marked by vibrant festivities in Rabat, a suburb of Mdina. This cherished event brings together locals and visitors alike to partake in religious processions, traditional food, and spectacular fireworks displays.

The village of Rabat is transformed with colourful decorations, including large flags and festoons, creating a festive atmosphere. One of the highlights of the celebration is the life-size statue of St. Joseph, which is paraded through the village streets. Accompanying this grand procession are marching bands and lively gatherings, adding to the joyous mood of the occasion.

A key aspect of the feast is its rich culinary tradition. Numerous stands line the streets, offering a variety of local delicacies that are deeply rooted in Maltese culture. Among the most popular treats are Żeppoli and Sfineg tal-Inċova—both beloved for their unique flavors and historical significance.

Żeppoli are made from choux pastry, shaped into small balls, and traditionally deep-fried, though modern variations often involve baking. Once cooled, they are cut open and filled with a sweet ricotta mixture, creating a delightful contrast between the crispy exterior and creamy filling.

On the savoury side, ‘Sfineg tal-Inċova’ are crispy, golden-fried dough balls with a surprising twist—a salty anchovy hidden inside. This combination of flavors makes them a favorite among those who appreciate a balance of crunchy and savory elements.

The feast of St. Joseph in Rabat is not only a religious observance but also a celebration of Maltese heritage, bringing together music, tradition, and gastronomy in a vibrant display of community spirit. Whether attending for the cultural experience or indulging in traditional treats, visitors are sure to be immersed in the lively and heartfelt celebrations that define this special day.

Casa Gourgion has been turned into a walk-through heritage home museum

A landmark, stately, 19th-century house in Mdina’s main square is now accessible to the public after the family who inherited it embarked on a four-year restoration project to turn it into a walk-through heritage home museum.

Anyone visiting the Silent City would have noticed the neo-Gothic – and somewhat “alien” – Casa Gourgion, bang in the heart of a medieval, baroque city. Now, they can satisfy their curiosity about its interiors and life beyond the iconic red apertures, with their pointed arches and intricate stonework.

Casa Gourgion has barely opened its doors. But locals are particularly interested in stepping inside the “nobleman’s home” they could only photograph on the outside, its owners say.

The unique property was inherited by Marian Galea in 2016. But due to old rent laws, it took a four-year court battle for them to take possession of her great-granduncle Baron Giuseppe De Piro Gourgion’s home.

Galea, however, already had clear plans for it from the get-go – and they did not include moving in, or the financially viable option of renting it out.

“I had visited a house museum in a similar piazza with a cathedral in Cuba and I thought it would be ideal for Casa Gourgion,” she said.

The plan was to preserve it for posterity, given that so much heritage was being lost, Galea continued.

So she enlisted her children and their spouses – two of whom are architects, Alan Galea and Andrea Vassallo Cesareo – and together, the team embarked on a “labour of love”.

The family also involved researchers and an in-house curator to piece together the puzzle, digging up information about their ancestor, his architect Andrea Vassallo and old plans of the house to recreate the layout of the 1890 home to bring it back to its former splendour.

In 2020, when the Galea family entered their property, they noted several changes that had to be removed to return it to its original state. The starting point was to be “as authentic as possible”, so anything from floor tiles to doors and apertures were retained and renovated.

Undoing the interventions of the previous occupants involved a lot of work, the family said. But through original plans and testimonies, its past could be retraced.

asa Gourgion was originally the garden of the adjacent palazzo on the prestigious Pjazza San Pawl, where Pinu, as he was known, lived. Until the late 1800s, the town square was also built up, explains her son, Alan Galea.

When the piazza changed, the extravagant and flamboyant dandy decided to “build a folly”, he continued.

The baron did so in a neo-Gothic style, which was popular elsewhere, but caused controversy among the local gentry because of its contrast with the surrounding architecture.

“It was opposed by many then, but he must have been an influential man and forged ahead,” the architect said.

The resulting eye-catching façade, the details indoors and “incredible stonework” on the ceiling are all testimony to the owner’s “colourful” character, reflecting his exuberance and love for floral motifs and decorations.

“Working on another architect’s project was an incredible experience,” Galea said.

Where they could not make out the coat of arms on the façade, because these had disintegrated beyond repair, they studied the family history to recreate it.

“Where possible, we replicated to the finest detail the stonework that was still in good condition, having withstood the test of time because it was well done,” they said.

And through the craftsmanship of a fine stonemason, they managed to follow in the footsteps of Vassallo, who was himself a master at intricate stonework.

A commissioned portrait of Pinu, taken from an old black and white photo, greets visitors in the entrance hall, and its animated version, hanging from a gold frame in the sitting room, introduces visitors to the property through a voiceover, bringing him and the space alive.

Antique furniture and artworks the mother had were used to decorate the house. Kept in storage and restored slowly, the legacy of the De Piro and Gourgion estates could now be gathered under one roof.

“Ninety per cent of the items in the house come down from the same bloodline,” Galea said. “Now, as I walk around the rooms, it is very emotional for me. I see my mother’s sala, because the furniture came from there, going back into the same family, and other items that remind me of my late aunts and uncles and have passed through the generations.”

The dining table is laid using fine crockery and silverware from the family’s inherited collection – now being put to good use, rather than collecting dust in storage.

Upstairs is the former owner’s living quarters, with his study and library of books, dating back to 1552; a free-standing bath in a spacious bathroom; and balconies overlooking the majestic St Paul’s Cathedral.

The baron’s inviting living quarters could soon host guests for a “night at the museum”, while the former maids’ quarters at the back of the house have been turned into two Airbnb bedrooms.

Twilight on the terrace and viewpoint rooftop of Casa Gourgion, with its floating, reversible platform and mock fortifications, is a unique experience, according to the family, with the cathedral – “so close it could almost be touched” – lit up and the chatter from the lively square beneath.

A mini souvenir shop has also been set up, complete with merchandise unique to Casa Gourgion, with its trademark flower pattern from the rose window at the front door, and sketches of the property by Galea’s son.

The cellar has been turned into an exhibition space, showcasing the old washroom, Roman stones and a shelter in the process of being excavated.

Key milestones of Mdina’s history in the period the house was built are chronicled in the basement, which also includes a permanent exhibition in tribute to the life and works of its “underestimated and unappreciated” architect.

Vassallo had also built the Ta’ Pinu Basilica in Gozo, although his son had signed off the work.

His original plans for the house, submitted to Public Works in the late 1800s, are hanging on the wall – although back then, a permit application was a letter from the owner, merely stating that he intended to build a home.

It is no surprise that in a video interview rolling on the basement wall, Prof. Peter Vassallo, who was born in the house during World War II, says Casa Gourgion was “like a castle” in the eyes of the young boy.

He still has fond memories of it, recalling how it was home to eight families during the war, each occupying one room.

Describing its restoration project as “splendid”, Vassallo hoped it would serve as a model for all houses that deserved to be preserved and brought back to life.

_{credits: Watch: Inside Mdina’s ‘controversial’ neo-gothic house that’s become a museum (timesofmalta.com)}

Malta’s exciting Risen Christ statue Easter Sunday tradition is still going strong.

A symbol of joy, the run sees a group of men run through the streets carrying a massive statue of the Risen Christ and it is one of Malta’s most beloved Easter traditions.

Several towns took part in the tradition on Sunday. This video, taken by Matthew Farrugia in Senglea, shows a large crowd cheering on a group of runners as they sprint through a street with the statue before raising it high.

Happy Easter everyone!

article credits – Lovin Malta

https://www.facebook.com/LovinMalta/videos/962330915325694 

The Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux are thrilled and honoured to be nominated for the Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2023 – a testament to their commitment to providing exceptional travel experiences and creating memories that last a lifetime.

Visit the CN Traveller website to find out more: https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/best-hotels-resorts-europe

IL LEGAME CON IL GUSTO DOMINANTE TRA XVII E XVIII SECOLO IN TUTTA EUROPA SI ESPRIME SOPRATTUTTO NELLE ARCHITETTURE PUBBLICHE E RELIGIOSE DA SCOPRIRE NELL’ARCIPELAGO DI MALTA, GOZO E COMINO

A gennaio l’arcipelago di Malta celebra la sua identità barocca. Per tutto il mese, ormai da dieci anni a questa parte, Valletta accoglie infatti un programma di eventi diffusi negli spazi più emblematici della città, dall’Auberge de Provence al Gran Salon alla Concattedrale di San Giovanni al Teatru Manoel. Sotto la direzione artistica di Kenneth Zammit Tabona, il calendario del Valletta Baroque Festival (che si è appena concluso) attira estimatori della musica classica da tutto il mondo, proponendo concerti dedicati ad autori di musica barocca (da Bach a Handel a Mozart e Scarlatti), ma anche coinvolgenti ibridazioni di epoche e stili, dal Vivaldi interpretato in chiave rock ai Beatles letti alla maniera settecentesca. Ma un contributo fondamentale al successo della kermesse arriva proprio dalle ambientazioni che fanno da cornice agli spettacoli, tra stucchi dorati, ampollose decorazioni, sculture ed espedienti architettonici di grande impatto scenografico. Per questo, ben oltre la chiusura del festival, è sempre un buon momento per esplorare Valletta e l’arcipelago maltese in cerca del suo passato barocco.

IL BAROCCO A MALTA. LA STORIA
Prima dell’introduzione del Barocco a Malta, lo stile architettonico predominante sull’isola si rifaceva agli esiti manieristi dell’epoca rinascimentale, attraverso l’attività del più quotato architetto pubblico locale, Girolamo Cassar, che progettò molti edifici pubblici, privati ​​e religiosi nella capitale di Valletta, che al tempo si andava costruendo. Tra XVII se XVIII secolo, però, sotto il dominio dell’Ordine di San Giovanni, iniziò a imporsi il nuovo gusto che già aveva conquistato in buona parte l’area mediterranea e l’Europa continentale. Il cambio di passo è tradizionalmente associato alla figura dell’ingegnere bolognese Bontadino de Bontadini, incaricato di costruire l’acquedotto di Wignacourt all’inizio del Seicento: tra 1612 e 1615, Bontadini realizzò un impianto scenografico pienamente aderente alla ricerca di stupore e meraviglia caratteristica del nuovo approccio estetico, tra torri d’acqua, fontane e un magnifico arco. Lo stile divenne popolare tra la metà e la fine del XVII secolo (del 1635 è la Chiesa dei Gesuiti di Francesco Buonamici, altro “testo” ritenuto cruciale per la diffusione dello stile a Valletta) e raggiunse il suo apice nel corso del Settecento, a cui si lega la realizzazione di opere monumentali come l’Auberge de Castille. All’inizio dell’Ottocento, durante il dominio britannico, l’architettura neoclassica sarebbe riuscita a imporsi sulla stagione barocca, capace però di protrarre la sua influenza fino al Novecento, come dimostrano alcuni edifici religiosi commissionati tra XIX e XX secolo, ancora legati a stilemi ascrivibili al gusto settecentesco.

IL TOUR DEL BAROCCO TRA MDINA E VALLETTA
A Malta, il Barocco di grandiose cupole e facciate riccamente decorate, pur contenuto nello sfarzo e votato alla sobrietà, fu esemplato principalmente su modelli italiani e francesi – tra le opere seicentesche si annoverano anche la ristrutturazione dell’Auberge de Provence e l’Hostelin de Verdelin – anche se non mancano riferimenti alla corrente spagnola. Oggi un tour di riscoperta di quella che per l’architettura – principalmente religiosa – di Malta è stata un’epoca d’oro può iniziare dai progetti firmati da Lorenzo Gafà, che nella seconda metà del XVII secolo fu incaricato di guidare molti cantieri sull’isola: il più ambizioso lo vide all’opera per la ricostruzione, tra il 1696 e il 1705, della Cattedrale di San Paolo a Mdina, danneggiata nella sua struttura medievale durante il terremoto siciliano del ’93. Ma Gafà lavorò anche altrove, realizzando la Chiesa di San Lorenzo a Birgu (1681-97; in città ha sembianze barocche anche il Palazzo dell’Inquisitore, oggi Museo Popolare) e la Cattedrale dell’Assunzione a Victoria, sull’isola di Gozo (1697-1711). Nel frattempo anche numerosi artisti furono coinvolti nella ridecorazione di edifici già esistenti: a Valletta, la Concattedrale di San Giovanni, dove ancora oggi si apprezza il ciclo di opere pittoriche realizzato da Mattia Preti negli Anni Sessanta del XVII secolo.
Il passaggio al Settecento fu però segnato principalmente dai lavori di ricostruzione che si resero necessari dopo il devastante terremoto di cui sopra. E fu la città vecchia di Mdina a subire l’evoluzione più significativa: il programma di riassetto urbanistico, che determinò la demolizione di edifici medievali danneggiati e la nascita di nuove opere pubbliche, si espletò durante la reggenza del Gran Maestro António Manoel a partire dal 1722, sotto la direzione di Charles François de Mondion. La Mdina odierna, antica capitale dell’isola, colpisce per la magniloquenza del progetto dell’epoca, ispirato al Barocco francese, tra la Porta Principale (1724) e il portale della Porta dei Greci (1724), la Torre dello Standardo (1725), il Palazzo Vilhena (1726-28) e la Corte Capitanale (1726-28). Tornando a Valletta, data alla seconda metà del XVIII secolo un edificio simbolo della città come l’Auberge de Castille, progettato dall’architetto maltese Andrea Belli, con il portale d’ingresso introdotto da una teoria di gradini e incorniciato dalla monumentale facciata scandita da paraste e chiusa in alto da una cornice aggettante. Oggi il palazzo è la sede del Primo Ministro di Malta. C’è poi il Teatru Manoel, inaugurato nel 1732, con scalinate in marmo e stucchi in stile Rococò. In omaggio al legame con la cultura barocca, persino uno dei più recenti cantieri di architettura religiosa, che nel 2005 ha portato all’inaugurazione della chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Venera, è stato improntato allo stile dell’epoca, com’è evidente nella decorazione della facciata.

IL BAROCCO A GOZO. LA CATTEDRALE DELL’ASSUNZIONE
L’eco di questo gusto contagiò anche Gozo, dove, come già ricordato, fu al lavoro anche Lorenzo Gafà, per realizzare la Cattedrale dell’Assunzione a Victoria, sul luogo dove si trovava un tempio dedicato a Giunone, di cui ancora si ammirano i capitelli conservati nel vicino Museo della Cattedrale. Forte la somiglianza con la cattedrale di Mdina, la chiesa di Gozo si distingue per l’unico alto campanile che svetta sul retro e per il soffitto che finge l’esistenza di una cupola, dipinta in trompe l’oeil. A Victoria si visita anche la coeva Basilica di San Giorgio, ricostruita dopo il terremoto della Val di Noto, celebre per la facciata completamente rivestita in marmo e per il ricco corredo di opere d’arte (torna, tra gli altri, Mattia Preti) custodito all’interno.

Article credits: https://www.artribune.com/turismo/2023/02/barocco-malta-architettura-musica/

 

From finding secret beaches on which to enjoy Malta’s stunningly clear waters to knowing the best places to find a cup of coffee with a view or tuck into a late-night pastizzi-fest, this guide has got you covered when it comes to discovering hidden Malta.

1. Valletta
The capital of Malta is, of course, a popular place to begin your visit to the islands. But for the authentic Maltese experience, stray from the busy thoroughfares and get lost in the winding, pretty backstreets of Valletta. Here family-run cafes, tiny restaurants and kitsch little shops are dotted around, just begging to be explored.

2. Ghasri Valley
Malta has no shortage of beautiful coastal spots for a swim, but the Ghasri Valley on Gozo is a must-visit. Here crystal clear, turquoise waters gently run through a steep-sided winding valley to create a secluded, natural s-shaped swimming pool complete with a tiny pebble beach. It’s also a great place for snorkelers and divers, as the creek hides several impressive underwater caves.

3. The Secret Passage at St Gregory’s Church
Malta has its own secret tunnel to rival Paris’ spooky catacombs; the thick stone walls of St Gregory’s Church in Zejtun have a hidden passageway inside, filled with human bones. With the skeletons believed to date back to the 1600s, the passageway was hidden for centuries before being re-discovered in the 1960s. Watch out for holidays and events when the church is open for visitors.

4. Fontanella Tea Garden
When visiting the city of Mdina, there’s only one place to stop for refreshments. The Fontanella Tea Garden is situated up high on the city’s stone bastions, meaning these al-fresco coffees come with the best views across Malta. Oh, and it’s also famous on the island for its delicious selection of home-made cakes – yes, please.

5. Il-Hofra L-Kbira
If you’re looking for a private slice of coastline, Il-Hofra L-Kbira will not disappoint. From the parking lot on the cliffs above, the beach is almost completely hidden below. Shallow warm waters and a flat, rocky beach with a little cave area providing some shade await visitors who find it. It’s not far from the super popular St Peter’s Pool in Marsaxlokk, so you could enjoy its hidden beauty after visiting the touristy site.

6. Crystal Palace Pastizzis
Pastizzi, a soft filo-pastry filled with mushy peas or soft ricotta, is Malta’s go-to snack. You’ll find them on sale pretty much everywhere, from bars to street food vendors, but Crystal Palace Tea and Coffee Bar has become a bit of a pastizzi icon. On the outskirts of Rabat, this cafe is open pretty much 24/7, so you can get your fix any time of the day or night!

7. Mnajdra Temple Complex
Malta has a long and rich history so the country boasts some incredible Roman ruins and beautiful crumbling architectural sites from different periods of its past, many of which get very busy with visitors. One hidden gem amongst these sites is the Mnajdra Temple Complex, near the village of Qrendi, where one of the three beautiful neolithic temples was built and designed around the movements of the sun. If you can, plan your visit during an equinox or solstice when special events are held.

8. The Jesus Tree
Yep, this is literally a tree that looks a bit like Jesus on the cross. Local legend says that the tree changed shape after being struck by lightning and locals now place flowers and gifts in homage at its feet. After being uprooted during a storm, it unfortunately lost its “head” and roots but the trunk was afterwards secured into a concrete base, so its holy shape can still be admired. If you’re after a quirky afternoon activity, set off to find the tree just outside of Mdina.

9. Seafood in Marsaskala
It’s no surprise that the seafood in Malta is famous for making travellers’ mouths water – with a huge array of Mediterranean fish and shellfish caught offshore each day, dishes here could hardly get any fresher! A great place to sample local dishes is in the small, relaxed fishing village of Marsaskala. Tuck into a swordfish steak or try traditional spaghetti with octopus sauce, before wandering along the promenade to spy the colourful fishermen’s houses and the boats that bob in the harbor.

10. Coral Lagoon
This perfectly-circular sea cave with an open roof is B.E.A.utiful. Either swim or kayak through what looks like a small cave from the sea next to Little Armier Bay and you’ll find yourself in a little round lagoon, harboring bright blue, clear waters. It’s worth getting there early before the tourists arrive – this highly Instagrammable hideaway isn’t going to stay a secret for much longer!

Article credits: https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/language/10-hidden-gems-in-malta/

The Mdina Cathedral Museum stands out as an institution that is continuously evolving. It is housed in a magnificent baroque building on the right hand side of the cathedral, in Archbishop’s Square. This imposing edifice was built by Bishop Alpheran de Bussan, with the first stone being laid in 1733. This building was to serve as the seminary for the diocese of Malta.

In the 16th century, the council of Trent had instituted seminaries to provide for the training of candidates to priesthood. Twelve years after the last session of the council, Mgr. Dusina, Apostolic Visitor to Malta had decreed the erection of a seminary. Various attempts were made by the bishops of Malta to have such a purpose built building but it was only in 1703 that Bishop Cocco Palmieri welcomes the first seminarians to a building in Mdina.

In 1723 Bishop Mancini (1722-1727) , transferred the Seminary to Valletta. Bishop Fra Paolo Alpheran de Bussan and Grandmaster Manoel De Vilhena funded the building of the current building.  The building’s design is attributed to the architects Giovanni Barbara or Andrea Belli, although Barbara was dead when construction began, leaving Belli as the more likely candidate. The Mdina Seminary was inaugurated on the 20th May, 1742.

The Times of Malta talked to its curator, Mgr Edgar Vella and exhibition coordinator, Joseph P. Borg about its ethos and the recent bequest of the collection of John Bugeja Caruana. You may learn all about it in the article on The Times of Malta.

Read the full article here: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/mdina-cathedral-museum-catering-eclectic-tastes.983126

Housed within the 17th century Xara Palace Relais & Châteauxis boutique hotel, Mdina fine-dining join ‘de Mondion’ is hands down a staple for any foodies living in Malta.

The restaurant is particularly known for its inimitable take on Mediterranean cuisine, so much so that it was recently awarded a Michelin star.

As if that wasn’t enough praise, acclaimed international restaurant guide La Liste ranked it amongst the top 600 restaurants around the world.