Malta Feasts - A Day for Victory

Il-Vitorja, as it is known in Malta or Otto Settembre, is a public holiday celebrated every year on the 8th September. This honours Malta’s two most significant sieges - in 1565 and in 1940, during the Second World War. On this day the Maltese also commemorate the birth of the Virgin Mary, known as Il-Bambina, whose feast is celebrated in Senglea, Naxxar, Mellieha and Xaghra, Gozo.

The historical prominence of this feast was initiated during the Great Siege, in which the Knights of Malta battled the Ottomans. In 1565, after three months in battle, the Ottomans retreated from Vittoriosa and Senglea. Although this was not the last battle, as fighting continued in St. Paul’s Bay for some time, it can be said that the withdrawal from the South marked the end of the Great Siege, which is renowned as one of the bloodiest sieges in the world and the longest in Malta. On the 7th September 1565, the Gran Soccorso fleet arrived from Sicily, which prompted the Turks to surrender.

In 1943, Italy joined the Allies in fighting against the Nazis, after having previously supported the Germans. This marked the end of bombing in Malta.

The Vitorja is marked by diverse activities in several Maltese villages. Moreover in Valletta, the Capital, the day starts with cultural activities in the main square, which include literature, music and art exhibitions. A parade by the Armed Forces marches down Republic Street until it arrives at the Co-Cathedral of St. John, where the Prime Minister is saluted and the national anthem is sung. A commemorative Mass is attended by the highest authorities in the country. The President later places a wreath on the Great Siege Monument. The traditional Regatta is held from mid-day at the Grand Harbour. Various teams from Cospicua, Vittoriosa, Senglea, Kalkara, Marsa, Marsamxett and Birzebbugia compete in rowing races in the main categories. The winning club is awarded the highly-coveted Shield trophy.

On the Sister Island of Gozo, celebrations include a commemorative night in Pjazza Independenza in Victoria. The event is attended by the Minister for Gozo.

If you would like to stay informed about Malta events during your holidays kindly visit the Grand Hotel Excelsior website.

Valletta - the Capital City of Malta

Valletta can be described as a living experience of Baroque architecture, dotted with quaint cafes, and over 25 churches, testament to the centuries-old grained Catholic faith of the Maltese nation. With its fortifications and history-filled streets, is probably the best known place in Malta and gems such as St. John’s Co-Cathedral justify its reputation.

Malta’s majestic Grand Harbour is one of the most spectacular ports in the world separating the capital city of Valletta from the historic cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua. The harbour has been a hive of activity for over two thousand years. With its imposing fortifications and vast panorama, Grand Harbour is Malta’s principal maritime gateway and a popular port-of-call for ships that are cruising the Mediterranean.

The Three Cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa and Senglea are three of the oldest towns on the island of Malta. The town of Vittoriosa played an important role in the 1565 Great Siege of Malta.

Vittoriosa was the town in which the Knights of Malta settled in on their arrival from Rhodes in 1530. Vittoriosa together with Cospicua and Senglea form three important walled cities along one side of the Grand Harbour. The town of Kalkara is located close to the Three cities. The town gets its name from the latin word calce (lime) since a lime kiln was located here during the Roman times. In Kalkara one finds the quaint hamlet of Santu Rokku and Fort Ricasoli which over the years has been used for the construction of film sets for important blockbusters like Gladiator and Troy and the recent Agora.

For information on Things to do in Malta during your holiday speak to the Transport Desk at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta and they will guide you with some of our popular Malta Excursions.