BOAT CHARTER IN MALTA
Malta is in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, which in turn is
the heart of all civilizations, therefore it has been a witness to
the traffic that crossed the most crowded waters of the world and
it proudly offers its memories
Photographs by Roberto Rinaldi
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IN THE CENTER OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA
When talking about winds in the Mediterranean Sea, their names
were given by a seaman sailing near Malta: the northeast wind
(Grecale in Italian) comes from Greece, the southwesterly
(Libeccio in Italian) comes from Libya and Sirocco comes from
Syria. The Maltese archipelago is at the center of the ancient sea
and all commerce, migrations and invasions passed by its coasts
which nowadays offer marvelous scenery and good shelters to
whoever chooses to sail around it. The rough nature of the rock
forming the archipelago produced steep walls and deep fjords
where, over time, hospitable marinas have been built.
Malta might be the mythical Ogige, where the nymph Calypso
attracted and retained Ulysses for seven years. After all, the
megalithic temples dating back to approximately 4500 years ago,
must have witnessed the whims of civilizations along the coast of
the archipelago, anticipating the Mediterranean and the rivaling
Middle Eastern ones. Yet, the rests of once existing life are most
interesting: elephants and rhinoceroses lived amid waterways and
luxurious vegetation.
History tells that Malta was initially forayed by Phoenicians and
then by Greeks and Romans. Cicero loved it so much that he wanted
to go there to "rest". Nevertheless, Malta's history is strictly
linked to the history of its Chevaliers. Blessed Pietro Gerardo
founded the Order at the time of the first Crusade, when they
helped the pilgrims en route to the Holy Land. When the infidels
conquered it, the Chevaliers moved to Cyprus, then to Rhodes and
later, after being driven away by Solyman, arrived in Malta where
they stood as the last rampart of Christianity against Muslim
invasions. They were organized with eight areas of origin and
eight languages, as the eight beatitudes and the eight pointed
tips of the cross of their Order. Their most famous victory has
been the resistance to the siege of the Solyman's and of the Bey
of Algiers' fleets. Only 9,000 men resisted to the 40,000 infidels
who were later defeated by Don Garcia of Toledo, Viceroy of
Sicily. Since then, the Order started to decline, because after
the defeat of Naupaktos, the Muslim danger was momentarily
defeated. After the Inquisition and a period of sumptuous feasts,
Napoleon arrived. The Order capitulated in 1798 and left Malta.
Two years later Nelson conquered the islands and annexed them to
the British Commonwealth till 1964 when Malta became a Republic.
The islands were of strategic importance to Britain during the two
World Wars, so much so that Winston Churchill said he had an
aircraft carrier solidly anchored in the Mediterranean Sea.
Nowadays, one of the most flourishing resources of the archipelago
is tourism, in particular, in the nautical sector.
When arriving from Italy, one should remember to clear through
customs by hoisting the yellow flag (flag Q of the international
code) and wait on board. La Valletta is a very hospitable city and
offers different mooring areas. In the Lazzaretto area, near
Manoel Island, there is the prestigious Yacht Club and it is here
that the famous Middle Sea Race starts. Msida Marina offers
approximately 1,000 berths for boats up to 65' long. When
circumnavigating the island counterclockwise, one finds Saint
Julian Bay, which is well protected by northerly winds and is
crowded by many small boats. A stop should be done in St. Paul's
Bay, which lays on a section of the rugged coast where the water
is very clear and calm and where anchoring is possible in several
small and isolated bays. Mellieha Bay, formed by the tail of the
fish to which Malta resembles, is the biggest bay on the northern
coast and includes a very crowded beach.
From here one can reach
Comino, a rock-like formation, between the two islands, full of
caves and natural arches and lined with two small beaches. The
pearl of this area that is highly appreciated by scuba divers and
by all seamen of the area is Cominotto. After passing near Gozo,
on the north coast, there is Sans Blas, a well-preserved area
untouched by modern civilization. The beach of Ramla Bay is dotted
by Roman ruins, while Marsalform has become a low-budget tourist
center, with big hotels and restaurants. The most beautiful
natural attractions are in the northern part of the island: the
mushroom-like rock and the Inland Sea. The latter is a big pool
formed by a volcanic crater and connected to the sea and dominated
by the a naturally formed window from which there is a fantastic
panorama. On the south coast, there is Mgarr Marina - towered by
the fortress and by the church - the only safe shelter of the
island. When sailing along the south steep coast of Malta, one may
admire its rugged formation, rocks and caves, among which is the
eye-catching "Blue Cave" with extraordinary beautiful light
reflections. There are many bays, but only few of them are really
protected, such as Golden Bay and Gnejna Bay. The sea is so deep
that its dark blue color gives the scenery a really pleasant
effect. Along the eastern coast, there is the gulf of Marsaxlokk,
where the typical Maltese boats originated: the "luzzus" with
bright colors and decorations.
Malta, whose name seems to derive from the Phoenician "maleth"
meaning shelter, is faithful to its name, as a sought-after
destination both for leisure sailors as well as for scuba divers
or simple tourists, who in the mild climate of its archipelago
find shelter even in the coldest season.
Malta is a group of exotic islands, with a millennial history
documented by charming ruins, so hospitable and so easy to reach
that cannot absolutely be neglected.
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