MALTA ~ Gozo & Comino ~

... Wonderful views of probably the most beautiful Mediterranean islands Malta, Gozo and Comino... both of the islands culture and history go back hand in hand with Malta... these islands are famous for their diving sites, unspoiled beaches, pre-historic landmarks, and scenic beauty... Thanks a lot Chris!!【ツ】

Photo: © Kukuri
Malta is comprised of an archipelago of 6 islands situated south of Sicily and east of Tunisia. North of the mainland lies Comino and north of that Gozo. It gained independence from the UK in 1964.

Just 20 kilometres and 20 minutes ferry ride from mainland Malta’s port of Cirkewwa, Gozo remains an unspoilt land of farmers and fishermen. After the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago.

Comino was named after the plentiful cumin (flowering plant) that grows on the island. The entire island is classified as a wildlife sanctuary nowadays.

Stamp:

Europa Stamps - Think Green
(Issued 09-05-2016)

MALTA ~ St Paul's Islands ~

...Beautiful view of the St Paul's Islands...they have a very important historical and religious aspect... St Paul's shipwreck is popularly considered as the greatest event in the nation's history... it was the inhabitants their first contact with Christianity...Thanks a lot Chris!! ㋡

"St Pauls Islets are traditionally to have been the site of St Paul's shipwreck. A statue of St Paul on the larger island commemorates this important event in Malta's history."
Malta is a smalll mediterranean island state 95 kilometers to the South from Sicily and 290 kilometers to the East from Tunisia. The seven islands that make up the Maltese archipelago are: Malta , Gozo, Comino, Kemmunet, St. Paul’s Islands, Manoel Island and Filfla. Only the first three are inhabited.

St Paul's Island, also known as Selmunett, is a small island off Selmun near the north-east of the main island of Malta. St Paul's Island is sometimes split into two islands by a shallow isthmus, and it is therefore sometimes referred as St Paul's Islands and it is the largest uninhabited island of Malta.

Stamp:

Europa Stamps - Think Green
(Issued 09-05-2016)

MALTA ~ Gozo - Azure Window ~

Spectacular view... impressive waves...  a wonder of nature and one of the islands most famous landmarks ...
Big thanks to Johan for this wonderful holiday postcard!!【ツ】

Gozo is an island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea and  part of Malta. After the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago.

Azure Window is a remarkable geologic feature of the island; it is a natural stone arch that was formed millions of years ago when a limestone cave collapsed.

The Gozitans (inhabitants of Gozo) have always called it it-Tieqa (the Window).

The Azure Window has featured in many films and travelogues. Apart from Game of Thrones (Daenerys and Drogo's Wedding) it also appeared in films such as Clash of the Titans and The Count of Monte Cristo, as well as the television mini-series The Odyssey.

Stamp:

Maltese Flora - Flowers
(Issued 14-02-2015)

MALTA ~Senglea~

And another breathtaking view..
Malta is a small island a few hundred kilometers south of Italy and a stone's throw away from North Africa. Its wind-swept landscapes and ancient towns make it a unique and mystical place to visit, and it houses some of the oldest known ruins in the world...Golden Mediterranean sunshine, azure seas, friendly locals...
...Maybe a tip for a holiday this summer??It is certainly on top of my "wishlist"!!:DThanks again Brian!!

Lovely stamp too!Painting (Norman and Hohenstaufen Period) Issued 29 Dec 2009. This is my fifth card from Malta and none of the cards are postmarked...

Senglea lies on a "tongue" of land extending towards Valletta in the heart of Grand Harbour. Togheter with its neighbouring cities Birgu (Vittoriosa) and Bormla (Cospicua) the Three Cities, as they came to be known, became the target during the island's bleakest days in its long history; the Great Siege of 1565 and the heavy air attacks during World War II.

MALTA ~Mdina-Inside Main Gate~

This is the first of two wonderful cards I received from Malta... A beautiful gem in the Mediterranean...A streetview with amazing architecture...Thanks a lot Brian!!

MaltaPost issued a set of two stamps which add to the Definitive set that was originally issued on 29 December 2009. The set of two stamps depicts the Gold Coin (Byzantine Period) and the George Cross (British Period).They are now reprinted.

Mdina, is the old capital of Malta. It is a medieval walled town situated on a hill in the centre of the island. Mdina is commonly called the "Silent City" by natives and visitors. The town is still confined within its walls.

From left to right:
Mdina Police Station,
Vilbena Palace
Main Gate, Torre dello Stendardo (Tower)
The figures at the rear of the gateway are three Saint Protectors;St Publius, Saint Paul and St. Agatha.

MALTA ~Mnajdra Temples - UNESCO~

... A wonderful mystical and impressive sight of the oldest known building ruins in Europe and even older than Stonehenge and maybe even older than the Pyramids... the Maltese temples are the oldest freestanding structures in the world. ... It's unbelievable to read but the site, one of the world's oldest man made structures, was vandalized in 1996 (graffiti) and 2001 (toppled & broken)...Thanks a lot Agi!【ツ】

The Mnajdra Temples ("mna-ee-dra") are a complex made up of three temples adjacently joined to one another but not connected.  Each one of the temples has a separate entrance and consists of a number of altars and oracles which were used by the worshipers to communicate with the gods. They date from ca. 3000 B.C.

The temples were elaborately built from stone with doorways set up perfectly to measure the year and so the sun entered directly through the gates at the equinox.

The temples are currently (Oct. 2009) covered by large tents to protect them from the weather.

Mnajdra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed as part of ‘The Megalithic Temples of Malta’ in the World Heritage List.

Stamp:

2011 Christmas - Paintings
(Issued 15-11-2011)

MALTA ~-Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum - UNESCO~

WOW!! A new place to enlarge my collection arrived today! Immediately two cards from Malta of which one is also a UNESCO site...


The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is a complex made up of interconnecting rock-cut chambers set on three distinct levels. Earliest remains at the site date back to about 4000BC, and the complex was used over a span of many centuries, up to c. 2500 BC.

This section for the Hypogeum is called the Holy of Hollies and is the most important and by far the best Architectural ornate room in this labyrint.

Experts believe that the Hypogeum was originally a sanctuary, a place for prayer and worship, which later became a burial site.

The Hypogeum of Hal-Saflieni became a UNESCO site in 1980.

Stamp:

2007 Toys
(Issued 11-07-2007)

MALTA ~Gozo~

Gozo is a small island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Southern European country of Malta; after the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago.