The Maltese archipelago is the pearl of the Mediterranean, an island of wonders, whose history begins in the distant Neolithic, about which there is a lot of architectural evidence. Despite the fact that in this tiny country every town is interesting and distinctive, there are places that are considered iconic for any tourist: these include Marsaxlokk - a picturesque Maltese village with its own embankment, bright traditional boats, colorful restaurants, an obligatory temple and market. as well as many attractions in its vicinity.
The edge of the world smells like the sea
Marsaxlokk is a tiny village set aside from the big Maltese cities. There is a direct regular transport from Valletta and about once an hour a tourist red bus stops here, plying further along the coast, to Birzebbuja.
This village can be called the Maltese end of the world, because other buses that could take tourists, not back to the Maltese capital, but, for example, to the nearby Ar-Dalam cave, can wait for hours and it is not a fact that you will be lucky to wait. Therefore, it is better to wander around Marsaxlokk on foot (the road to Birzebbuja will take about an hour) or take a taxi along them. Taxi drivers will find you themselves, will stick to you more than once, seeing you outside the town.
Despite all these difficulties with transport, Marsaxlokk is worth visiting - even a couple of times during your vacation. First, discover this one of the symbols of Malta on a weekday, when there are few tourists here and there is a chance to take beautiful photos without crowds of people on them, and then come back here on Sunday, when the local market is occupied by numerous sellers, turning it into a noisy and colorful attraction …
Get lunch
Shopping arcades are located next to the bus stop - right on the waterfront, offering a magnificent view of the Marsaxlokk harbor. From Monday to Saturday, they sell the freshest fruits and vegetables, honey, wine and various souvenirs, including delicate lace, from which openwork umbrellas, fans, collars, etc. are made. In Marsaxlokk, you can also find unique gizmos, for example, bags, woven from fishing nets, painted in all colors of the rainbow. They resemble shopping bags, but are extremely easy to use.
On Sunday there is a chance to catch local fishermen at the market selling their catch. All the living creatures that are rich in the Mediterranean Sea are spread out on the shelves, from shrimp to fish of various species. Usually, a fresh catch is immediately sent to the nearest restaurants, but tourists also manage to take some excellent photos and even buy a couple of fish for lunch. By the way, in any local tavern you will find it all right there and cooked to the highest standard.
Interestingly, Malta is one of the main exporters of tuna. This was quickly caught by Japanese fish suppliers, so at dawn the fresh catch from Marsaxlokk is loaded onto a plane, and in the evening of the same day it appears on the plates of visitors to Japanese restaurants. In Marsaxlokk, tuna is served in almost any restaurant. It is worth trying a tuna steak to fall in love with this place for life, and then breathe it out to your friends!
The Sunday market starts at 7 am. It is by this time that it is better to come to those who want to see authentic Malta, take pictures of local gossips picking seafood pickily, and talk to sellers about the weather and the peculiarities of fishing.
Bright colors on the background of the sea
Marsaxlokk is home to only 3,500 people, and most of them, like their ancestors many years ago, go out to sea every day on colorful Luzzu boats, whose noses are necessarily decorated in the form of the so-called "Osiris eyes", protecting their owners from all troubles. Luzzu is always painted in bright colors - most often yellow, blue, red and green.
The lower part of the luzzu is reddish brown or burgundy. This color helps their owners to monitor the water level, as it contrasts well with the color of the water.
Luzzu is one of the varieties of dice boats and an unusual symbol of Malta. Initially, the Luzzu were equipped with oars and sails and were used as transport boats. However, over time, motors began to be installed on them, so fishermen could go out on them to the open sea. They are considered to be very reliable during storms.
Today the Luzzu on the quay in Marssclokk are handed down from generation to generation. New traditional Maltese boats are quite rare: most of the ships in the harbor were built many years ago. They are carefully looked after, restored and repainted. This makes them always look amazing!
Some Luzzu ride tourists today. Anyone can order a boat trip along the bay and nearby coves. There is a stand on the embankment advertising such services.
Attractions Marsaxlokk
Lovers of historical sights will also like the village of Marsaxlokk.
Until the 19th century, most of the fishermen leaving the harbor of Marsaxlokk lived in the neighboring village of Zeytun, located far from the sea. Every morning the fishermen set off to their boats, regretting the time wasted on the journey. In the middle of the 19th century, the first houses were built in Marsaxlokk, in which fishermen from Zeytun moved. A few decades later, its own parish was founded here, and the Church of Our Lady of Pompeii appeared. It stands right on the waterfront, opposite the monument to fishermen.
There are several other interesting places in the vicinity of the village:
ruined megalith Tas-Sildzh, founded about 5300 years ago;
the Delimara lighthouse, consisting of two buildings, one of which was erected in the middle of the 19th century, and the second was built quite recently - in 1990;
the tower and chapel of St. Paul, dating from the 18th century;
the gloomy fort of St. Louis, which was built by the Knights of the Order of Malta to protect the harbor of Marsaxlokk from pirates;
a cozy sandy beach is a rarity for Malta, which is located outside the village of Marsaxlokk, if you go in the direction of Birzebbuja.
