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Malta
is now the most densely populated country on earth (Hong Kong gave up the
title when it joined China.) It also seems to be the most fortified. Below,
the fortifications around the harbor are typical of those all over the island.
Malta's strategically important position, in the middle of the Mediterranean,
made it a target throughout history.
During World War II,
there were day and night raids on Malta for 154 days (by comparison, London's blitz was 57 days), and
6,700 bombs were dropped on the Grand Harbour area. During Malta's siege, days before the deadline
set for its surrender, ships carrying supplies got through. Britain's King George VI
awarded the people of the island the George Cross for their bravery.
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The Knights of the Order of
Saint John, having been kicked out of Rhodes by the Ottomans,
re-established themselves in Malta in the early sixteenth century. Only
a few decades later, the Ottomans attacked again, this time in Malta.
The siege of 1565 began in May, when 180
Ottoman ships brought more than 30,000 troops. The fighting was
ugly. Turkish troops floated headless Knights on crosses in the harbor.
The Knights shot the heads of the Ottomans out of cannons. By September,
it was over. Malta was victorious. |
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The luzzu is the
traditional fishing boat, used since Phoenician times. Brightly colored,
the boat has a carved rail and has the eye of the Egyptian god Osiris to
bring the sailor luck.
Fall is lampuki (dorado) season in Malta.
Since Roman times, fishermen have caught lampuki in the same
manner: the large lower fronds of palm trees are woven into rafts and
floated at sea. The fish are drawn to the shade of the raft and the
fishermen encircle them with nets. |
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Most construction in Malta,
including the ubiquitous fortifications, is based in limestone. The
houses shown here are typical Maltese architecture, with balconies
overlooking the street. The enclosed wooden balconies are a common
sight.
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