Maltese Traditions - The History of the Regatta

The 8th September is known as Victory Day in Malta. It’s a catch-all day because this particular public holiday has several roots, not one clear-cut raison d’etre for celebration: it marks the end of the Great Siege of Malta in 1565 and the end of French occupation on Malta in 1800, as well as the armistice of the Fascist regime in Italy in 1943, which saw the close of the Italian bombardment of the Maltese Islands.

Every nation has its hour of glory in battle. The Regatta is held on September 8th in Grand Harbour to celebrate Malta’s victories during the Great Siege of 1565 and the Second World War. The magnificent Fort St Angelo provides an imposing backdrop to the sleek and colourful Maltese boats. Band marches, water-carnival, boat races and display of colourful fireworks are the main features attracting large crowds to the capital city, Valletta, and the Grand Harbour.

Rowing teams from the cities bordering Grand Harbour such as Valletta, Vittoriosa, Senglea, Kalkara, Cospicua, Marsaxlokk and Marsa, participate in a number of very exciting races, marked by extreme rivalry between participating teams and their respective supporters. For weeks on end, the competitors prepare for the races with fanatic zeal and rivalry. In the afternoon of Regatta day thousands of people crowd the waterfront and the surrounding bastions and craft of every description converge to the Grand Harbour to watch the races.

The first 3 winners in each race are awarded prizes and the club with the highest overall points wins the Aggregate Shield. Each year the different regatta clubs do their best to win the shield, which is strongly contested.

The Regatta is a great fun event and a source of great local pride. If you’re in Malta on the 8th of September make sure you don’t miss attending!

If you would like information about things to do in Malta during your holidays, the dedicated team at one of the leading Malta Hotels are always ready to help you. So for a pleasant holiday in Malta stay at a five star hotel close to Valletta.

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.

Malta Military & Heritage Package

A Passion for Heritage.

Planning your next Winter Break in Malta? Why not explore Malta’s military heritage with our newly launched package.

Lascaris War Rooms were the Operational Headquarters which were built in order to provide a secure place from where war operations could be conducted. The war rooms are located deep in the rock under St Peter and St Paul Bastion which forms part of the defences of Valletta built by the Knights of St John in 1566.

Fort Rinella in Kalkara was built in 1878. This fort is not only a unique remnant of Malta’s recent British colonial past, but it is also the world’s first mechanical fort which enabled its small garrison to fire a monstrous 100-ton gun every six minutes. On visiting this fort in 1889, the great French writer Jules Verne described it as a marvel of the industrial age which would render Malta safe for ever.

The Malta at War Museum housed in an old 18th century military barracks built in the historic walls of Vittoriosa (Birgu, is Malta’s best presented testimonial of the great ordeal suffered by the Island during the Second World War. The site focuses on the daily life of wartime Malta telling the story of how this spec of an island managed to withstand one of the fiercest onslaughts in modern history. It offers a unique experience to the visitor through a combination of original film-footage, expert guiding and original artifacts and memorabilia, all of which are nicely presented in a new modern setting.

The Saluting Battery in Valletta offers a breath-taking view of the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities. This battery offers the visitor a unique opportunity to learn from close quarters how cannon worked and fired in days gone by. It also provides a wealth of information on how time was measured and signalled out in the past. It also explains the long quest of mariners to find a practical solution to the issue of longitude that would allow them to sail safely in open seas.

The MALTA MILITARY & HERITAGE PACKAGE includes:

• Accommodation in a room type of your choice (price varies according to room type booked)
• Welcome drink upon arrival,
• Daily buffet breakfast, and
• A Compulsory Military & Heritage Pass (In the packages section of the booking please select quantity, i.e. the number of persons/passes you wish to book. Price is per pass for one person).

Rates starting from less than €65 per person per night sharing in a Double Deluxe Inland Room. Terms and Conditions Apply.

Through the Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna Heritage Pass you will have access to the Saluting Battery (Valletta), Malta at War Museum (Birgu), Fort Rinella (Kalkara) and also the Lascaris War rooms (Valletta).

Opening times for all the above mentioned sites are from Monday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm and there is no need for pre-booking. For more information kindly visit: Wirt Artna Website.

Our Chauffeur Driven Service can organise your taxi transfers for you. During your stay kindly visit our Transport Desk and they will be happy to assist you.

Terms and Conditions apply.

For Terms & Conditions kindly view Malta Military & Heritage package on website.

A UNIQUE HOLIDAY IN MALTA - LUXURY ROMANTIC WEEKEND

Start the weekend in style! Enjoy a memorable weekend break in Our Unique Presidential Suite with magnificent views of the Harbour surrounded by luxury.

A one-time offer not to be missed!!!

Book the Presidential Suite for this weekend at an exceptional price of €350 per person per night for double occupancy!!

This Romantic Package includes:

• Accommodation in Our Unique Presidential Suite on Bed and Breakfast Basis,
• A Wine and Chocolate Treat in room,
• A Romantic Dinner at the Tiki for Two, (Food Only) &
• A Couple’s Dream Massage.

Offer is only available when booking on our website & for stays between

31st August till 2nd September 2012,

1st November till 20th December,

&

5th January till 28 February 2013.

For your Dinner Reservation and Couple’s Massage treatment kindly send us an email with your preference time and date on info@excelsior.com.mt and we will confirm back to you.

Terms and Conditions:

• Reservation is non-refundable & fully prepaid upon booking – cannot be cancelled or changed without charge.
• Package items must be utilized during your stay are non exchangeable and non refundable.
• Rates and availability are subject to change.
• Should a third person be booked the guest will be entitled to Bed and Breakfast and one dinner at the Tiki Restaurant.

Restaurants Malta - Al Fresco Dining

Al Fresco Dining on the Bastion Terrace on the 25th August!

Click on Image to Enlarge

Enjoy our sumptuous Buffet BBQ with an assortment of Mediterranean dishes served in a truly unique venue at the heart of Malta.

From 19.00 hrs to 22.30 hrs.

Price: Adults – €30, Children – €15.

For more details kindly contact our Food & Beverage Team on food.beverage@excelsior.com.mt.