Today, I will be taking you on one of the most important milestones of the Maltese Islands and showing how certain aspects still form part of our identity today! I will also be recommending some places to visit which can be organized by our Meet The Rock team. Malta has a rich history dating back to ancient times, and during the Roman period, the islands played a role in the broader context of the Roman Empire. Here are some key points about Roman times in Malta:
A Historical Timeline:
218 BC- 6th Century AD- The Romans in Malta
During the second punic wars, the Roman Empire won the ultimate award: the Maltese Islands! According to historians, Malta began to flourish under the Roman domain and increased its popularity as an Island.
Ruins from the era suggest that Roman’s also influenced our traditions and designs at the time. While the Catacombs in Rabat indicate new burial traditions, the Roman Houses such as the Domus Romana show us the designs used in the Maltese households during the Roman period.
With that being said, the main reason why the Roman times are a crucial part of the Maltese History is because of the introduction of Christianity. Today we are still known as a Christian country and in fact I will the liberty to add that still today, the Christian Church has a massive influence on certain political decision making.
St Paul’s Shipwreck is a very important event that happened during the Roman era, in AD 60. While St Paul was being taken to Rome, his ship was caught in a massive storm and it eventually wrecked close to the Maltese Islands. It is taught that the Maltese people realized what a special person St Paul was and wanted to protect him.
Today, we still celebrate St. Paul by recognizing the 10th of February as a Public Holiday in his name.
Where can you get a glimpse of the Roman History on the Rock?
The Domus Romana is a Roman House found in Rabat. It was discovered in the late 19th Century. The Mosaic pavements and other ornaments are Roman’s inheritance to the Island.
The evidence of early Christianity is extensively found in St Paul’s Catacombs. These are underground burial sites which date back to the 4th Century AD. They are located in close proximity to the Domus Romana, in Rabat and Mdina.
Traditional Maltese Fare
My favorite "activity when visiting Rabat is going to Mdina, passing all of the small traditional streets and making my way to the Defensive walls! Mdina boats give the most beautiful panoramic views of the island and to top it off, there is a restaurant called Fontanella which serves mean Maltese delicacies throughout the day. I love having a coffee and a slice of Cassata Siciliana!
Want to hear more?
Stay tuned for more information about Malta though MTR channels. You will find more blog posts where we will share information about the history of Malta and its people, things to do and see when you visit, what keeps Malta in the news and why Europeans list Malta in their top 10 vacation destinations. Sign up for the newsletter, so you don't miss information. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see beautiful photos shared about The Rock.
