Review of Tehzeeb Huda
I had the pleasure of going on a four-day Military Heritage trip to Malta curated by Visit Malta and guided by author and historian Mr. Vincent Zammit . This scenic archipelgo is an amalgamation of Phoenician, Roman and Arab cultures, a living museum with numerous UNESCO-listed sites, and many still under excavation.
Some of the major highlights of my trip included visiting the prehistoric ruins of the UNESCO listed Tarxien Temples which are older than the Egyptian Pyramids, walking through the cobbled streets of Mdina ‘The Silent City’ and exploring Europe’s most Baroque churches including the famed Saint John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta which houses the scandalous genius Caravaggio’s largest masterpiece, ‘The Beheading of Saint John’ that is signed in blood.
We climbed ancient fortifications and walked past bastions which once protected Malta from ruthless attacks; and now offer breathtaking vantage points of land and sea. My most haunting experience was visiting Citadella on the scenic island of Gozo. In 1551, Citadella was brutally attacked by the Ottomans and almost the entire population was taken into slavery. Here we heard the tragic story of Bernardo Dupuo who murdered his entire family to protect them from the oppressors. Citadella was later rebuilt by new settlers from Malta and Sicily and is just one of the many examples of Maltese bravery and resilience.
Even the capital city of Valletta is a fortified UNESCO World Heritage Site that was built after the victory of the Great Siege of 1565. It is named after Grand Master La Valette whose actual sword and hat worn during the conquest are on display at the Victoriosa Museum, offered in thanks to the Virgin of Damascus.
The Roman influence can be seen not only in historic artifacts but also in Maltese gastronomy. Malta offers world-class wines, olive oil, and not surprisingly, honey. Afterall, Malta is named after the Latin melita, meaning honey.
In summary, Malta is a sun-drenched archipelago where every vista begs to be photographed, a living museum where tales of bravery echo through centuries, and a land of deliciously fresh food and warm, welcoming people. Malta is a travel destination that offers something for everyone.
