MSA POST TOUR 2017

MSA POST TOUR - JUNE 4-8, 2017

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DAY 1
VISIT NEOLITHIC TEMPLES OF HAGAR QIM AND TARXIEN AND FISHING VILLIAGE OF MARSAXLOKK. TAKE LATE AFTERNOON FERRY TO GOZO OVERNIGHT AT TA’ CENC HOTEL RESORT.

The Megalithic Temples of Malta were built between 3600 and 700 BC and are considered the oldest free-standing structures on Earth.

HAGAR QIM
The Hagar Qim megalithic temple complex on the southern edge of Malta was built between 3600-3200 BC.

TARXIEN
The Tarxien Temples Complex dates to approximately 3150 BC. consisting of three separate but connecting temples. Of particular interest is the intricate stonework, and domesticated animals; many examples are preserved in the Malta Archaeological Museum.

MARSAXLOKK

Marsaxlokk is a traditional fishing village with a population of 3700, famous for its market. Most of Malta’s fish supply comes from fisherman operating out of this port. It was in this area that the Phoenicians set up a trading post in the 9th century BC and during the Ottoman Great Siege (18 May to 11 September 1565) Marsaxlokk Harbor was used as an anchorage for the Ottoman fleet.

Following our visit to Marsaxlokk we will take the ferry to Gozo and overnight at the beautiful 5star Ta’Cenc Hotel.

DAY 2

DWEJRA BAY, AZURE WINDOW, GRAND MASTERS TOWER, TA PINU SANCTUARY, VICTORIA AND CITADEL

DWEJRA
Perhaps the most spectacular natural monument in Malta with such fascinating features as the Azure Window, a limestone natural arch.

DWEJRA WATCH TOWER
The Dwejra tower is one of many defensive costal towers built by the Knights of St. John for protection against pirates, the Dwejra tower was built in 1652

TA PINU SANCTUARY

The Basilica of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu (Ta’ Pinu means Of Philip) is a national shrine. The origin of the shrine is unknown but is first recorded in the archives during the 1565 Great Siege. In 1611 the church underwent major reconstruction and was reconstructed again between 1922-1932 in the neo-romantic style. Pope John Paul celebrated Mass at the shrine in 1990.

VICTORIA AND THE CITADEL
Victoria (also known as Rabat) with a population of 6900 is the 2nd largest city in Malta and capital of Gozo. The area has been settled since Neolithic times and named Victoria by the British in 1887, through many of the natives continue to call it Rabat.
In the heart of the city is the Cittadella/Citadel on a site fortified site since the Bronze Age and furthered developed by the Phoenicians. The current fortress was built by the Aragonese in 1500 and expanded and reconstructed by the Knights of St. Johns in 1599. Other major sites in Victoria are the Cathedral of the Assumption and St. George’s Basilica.

Citadel

Cathedral of the Assumption

St. George’s Basilica

OVERNIGHT TA’ CENC HOTEL

DAY 3

VISIT GGANTIJA TAKE FERRY TO MALTA VISIT MDINA RABAT.

• Gigantija meaning Giant Towers is a megalithic temple complex, of two temples built side by side. Dating from 3600 BC they are the oldest in Malta. The temples are 18 feet high and like other megalithic sites in Malta face southeast.

• FERRY BACK TO MALTA

• MDINA

Mdina is a fortified city in Northern Malta, which served as the Islands capital from ancient to medieval times. The city of 300 people retains its medieval walls and is connected to Rabat with has a population of 11,000. Mdina was founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC as Maleth and conquered by the Arabs in 870. Following the Arab conquest the inhabitants were slaughtered, city destroyed, and churches looted. It remained nearly uninhabited until being resettled by a Moslem community in 1048 when it walls were rebuilt and it was renamed Mdina. The Knights strengthened the walls in the 16th century and among its sites to be seen today are the wall and gates, 18th century Torre dello Standardo and St Paul’s Cathedral.

St Paul’s Cathedral

Torre dello Standardo, built in 1725, near the Mdina Gate

RABAT

The name Rabat derives from the Arabic word suburb, it was a suburb of the old capital Mdina. Rabat is home to the famous Catacombs of St. Paul and St. Agatha used in Roman times to bury the dead. According to tradition and the Bible, St. Paul stayed in the catacombs for three months in 60 AD when he was shipwrecked on Malta. Also of interest is the 17th century Collegiate Church of St. Paul.

Collegiate Church of St. Paul

OVERNIGHT GRAND EXCELSIOR HOTEL

DAY 4 - THE THREE CITIES

THE THREE CITIES IS THE COLLECTIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE FORTIFIED CITIES OF BIRGU/VITTORIOSA, COSPICUSA AND SENGLEA.

The oldest of the three cities is Birgu; the Knights of St. John founded Senglea and Cospicusa in the 16th and 17th centuries.

BIRGU

The area of Birgu had been settled since Phoenician times and was made capital of Malta when the Knights of St John arrived in 1530 and built Fort Saint Angelo on the end of the promontory. It was the main military base of the Knights from 1530-1571 when the new city of Valletta was built and replaced Birgu as the capital. Nevertheless, the achievement of Birgu in the victory of the 1565 Great Siege was recognized with the title Città Vittoriosa, "Victorious City".

Fort Saint Angelo

Collegiate Church of St Lawrence

Three Cities

SENGLEA
Senglea is a fortified city in the Grand Harbor named for Grand Master Claude de la Sengle who built the city. The Knights built a land bridge connecting the Island Senglea was built on to Cospicua. In 1552 construction started on Fort St. Michael and the city walls were constructed in the 1560’s. The city played an important role in the 1565 Great Siege and was given the title Citta Invicta (Unconquered City) by Grand Master Jean de Valletta because it successfully resisted the Ottoman Turks.

Fort St. Michael

COSPICUSA
Prior to the 18th century the city was known as Bormia. It fortification walls were built by the knights of St John from 1638-1708. In 1776 the Knights commenced the construction of a dockyard that was to play an important role in the history of the city. During the period of British Rule the Royal Navy made extensive use of the facility. The city's fortifications are still intact including the famous St. Helen’s Gate.

Cospicusa

Collegiate Church of the Immaculate Conception

Dock buildings at Cospicua built by the Order of St John and enlarged by British

St. Helen’s Gate

St. Salvatore Gate

DAY 4 LATE AFTERNOON HARBOR CRUISE OF GRAND AND MARSAMXETT HARBORS

This activity was originally planned for Thursday morning. However, there are very few airline flights out of Valletta on June 8 so we have moved the Harbor Cruise to late Wednesday afternoon allowing those leaving Valletta Thursday morning to not miss the harbor cruise. The 90-minute cruise on Wednesday afternoon will include both the Grand Harbor and Marsamxett Harbors.

Marsamxett Harbor, historically also referred to as Marsamuscetto, is a natural harbor on the island of Malta. It is located to the north of the larger Grand Harbor. The harbor is generally more dedicated to leisure use than the Grand Harbor.

DAY 5 FREE MORNING
For those remaining in Valletta, you can enjoy the luxury of the Grand Excelsior until noontime.

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