Podcasts
By means of live interviews with leading Maltese personalities who are all experts in their field - archaeologists, artists, historians, architects, philosophers and Knights of Malta - the Visitmalta podcasts are meant to introduce you to the history, culture and traditions of the Maltese Islands in a pleasantly original and exciting way, offering insights that would not normally be available in a guidebook.
1. The UNESCO Heritage sites series will make you discover Malta's 7000 year-long history, from the megalithic temples to contemporary architecture in Valletta.
2. The Movie Locations series will show you why Malta has earned the title of “the mini-Hollywood of the Mediterranean”.
You can listen to these podcasts online or download them on your mp3 player or smartphone and enjoy them wherever you may be.
Podcast feed URL: http://www.invisiblestudio.it/projects/malta/completed/rss.xml
At the bottom of this page you'll find instruction for download.
UNESCO Heritage Trail
This first series of podcasts will introduce you to the three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Maltese Islands:
- The Megalithic Temples of Ggantija, Hagar Qim, Mnajdra and Tarxien
- The Hypogeum
- The capital city of Malta, Valletta.
You can print out the PDF map to find all the locations described in the podcasts, and create your own itineraries.
 1: A walk in Valletta Brief introduction to the UNESCO Heritage Trail podcasts. Here we also suggest a one day visit to Valletta with 12 highlights and interesting features not to be missed while walking around. Duration: 5min 33sec |
 2: The Knights of Malta Interview to Fra John Critien, Knight of Malta and keeper of Fort St Angelo in the enchanting medieval city of Vittoriosa (Birgu). He talks about the 1000-year long epic history of the Order of the Knights of Malta, from its foundation in Jerusalem to the present day. Duration: 7min 39sec |
 3: Valletta: the fortified city Interview with the Maltese fortifications expert Stephen Spiteri on the Valletta fortifications. Duration: 8min 20sec |
 4: St John's Co-Cathedral, sanctuary of the Knights of Malta Interview to curator Cynthia de Giorgio who highlights the details of St John's Co-Cathedral and its baroque interior, the impressive marble floor and the famous Caravaggio paintings: the Beheading of St John and St Jerome. Duration: 8min 39sec |
 5: Caravaggio in Malta:the artist of the people Art historian and Caravaggio scholar Keith Sciberras gives an insight into the adventurous life of the celebrated ‘chiaro scuro' Master, his stay in Malta, his paintings and his enduring popularity. Duration: 7min 54sec |
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 6: Lost and recovered: the drama of Caravaggio's stolen masterpiece Former Museums Director Fr Marius Zerafa relates the gripping episode of how he managed to recover the Caravaggio masterpiece of St Jerome, after it had been stolen from St John's Co-Cathedral in 1984. He also describes the tecnique used by Caravaggio in his paintings. Duration: 8min 28sec |
 7: A noble household in Valletta Interview with Marquis Nicholas de Piro, owner of Casa Rocca Piccola, a lived-in noble house museum. He recounts his family and house history from the time of the Knights of Malta until the present day. Duration: 6min 56sec |
 8: Theatres in Valletta Maltese artist and music critic Kenneth Zammit Tabona recalls his first visit to the Manoel Theatre and his involvement ever since, while actor and theatre critic Paul Xuereb shares his experience at the Manoel as an actor on the stage of this intimate baroque theatre commissioned by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena. In the second part of the podcast Chris Gatt, director of St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, presents the Centre and its varied cultural activities. Duration: 8min 28sec |
 9: Music in Malta Interview with the philosopher and poet Joe Friggieri about Maltese folk and classical music and the much loved Maltese composer Charles Camilleri, who will be remembered as a major exponent of Maltese musical productions of the last century. The second part presents Ruben Zahra, a young and talented composer who derives inspiration from traditional music to create a more classical contemporary style. Finally an introduction to the general music scene in Malta today. Duration: 9min 21sec |
 10: Valletta: highlights of the Museum of Archaeology Maltese archaeologist and curator of UNESCO World Heritage Sites Reuben Grima describes some of the highlights of Valletta's Museum of Archaeology and provides an insight into the fascinating culture of the megalithic temple builders. Duration: 9min 25sec |
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 11: The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum: a prehistoric mystical experience Interview with archaeologists Reuben Grima and Nicholas Vella on the subterranean structure of the Hypogeum, which became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980. The archaeologists offer some unique insights into the death rituals of the temple builders. Duration: 6min 58sec |
 12: The Megalithic Temples: traces of a lost civilisation Maltese archaeologist Reuben Grima explains why Malta's megalithic temples of Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra, Tarxien, and the complexes of Ta' Ħaġrat and Skorba can be considered unique architectural masterpieces, evidence of an advanced prehistoric civilisation flourishing on the islands 5,000 years ago. Duration: 9min |
 13: Gozo: Ġgantija Temples, the oldest free standing structures in the world Interview with archaeologist Nicholas Vella who explains the main features of the spectacular Ġgantija Temples on the island of Gozo. Duration: 8min |
 14: Back to the future:Renzo Piano's Project for Valletta Maltese architect Konrad Buhagiar talks about Renzo Piano's new and exciting architectural plans and designs for the building of a new City Gate, Parliament and Opera House at the entrance of Valletta, and how the city will be transformed as a result of Piano's architectural designs. Duration: 7min 51sec |
 15: Malta:a sentimental journey Final episode of the series in which three visual artists - James Vella Clark, Kenneth Zammit Tabona and Laurent Muller - explain how they relate to Valletta and what it means to live in Malta today. An emotional journey where the islands' characteristic elements of light, shadow, stone and sea become a vital source of inspiration. Duration: 8min 27sec |
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Malta Movie Locations
Malta is a renowned destination for film-makers. In this second series of podcasts we will point out some of the best movie locations in the archipelago, so you can create your own itineraries across the Maltese islands, following the footprints of your favourite movie stars and directors.
You can print out the PDF map to find all the movie locations described in the podcasts.
1: Intro: the mini-Hollywood of the Mediterranean
Brief introduction to the second series of the VisitMalta podcasts. Why Malta is great for filming – and for holiday too!
Duration: 4min 44sec
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2: Valletta: movie locations in the fortified city
The narrow streets and walls of Valletta used in A Different Loyalty, Munich, The Count of Monte Cristo and Midnight Express.
Duration: 8min 5sec
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3: Vittoriosa Marina: from Madonna to Geena Davis
Tales from the Three Cities: Swept Away, Cutthroat Island, the Count of Monte Cristo, U-571, Munich.
Duration: 6min 46sec
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4: Inside Malta: Mdina, Rabat, Naxxar
Follow the Count of Monte Cristo in the “silent city” of Mdina, the secret agents of Munich in Rabat and the pirates of Cutthroat Island in Naxxar.
Duration: 7min 41sec
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5: Beaches and coasts, from Munich to Troy
Urban waterfronts, wonderful beaches, wild cliffs: why Steven Spielberg, Brad Pitt and Sharon Stone all came here.
Duration: 8min 52sec
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6: Special for kids: Popeye's village
How the set of the movie Popeye became a wonderful theme park for children and their parents.
Duration: 3min 32sec
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7: Fort Ricasoli: the secret set
Troy, the Roman Colosseum, Alexandria: how ancient cities are built inside the fort of the Knights of Malta.
Duration: 6min 54sec
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8: Mediterranean Film Studios: the special effects shop
Malta’s unique marine filming feature, where synthetic storms and naval battles are created.
Duration: 6min 37sec
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9: Comino treasures
Find a treasure on the tiny island of Comino: the incredible water of Blue Lagoon, the dramatic St Mary's tower, the caves.
Duration: 7min 5sec
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10: Romantic Gozo
Discover with the characters of Coronation Street, the distinctive charme of Victoria, Ramla Bay and Dwejra on the island of Gozo.
Duration: 4min 24sec
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Instructions for download
How can I play the visitmalta podcasts online?
- Simply click on the link of the file you want to listen to. Your web browser will play it automatically.
How can I download the podcasts on my computer?
- Right-click on the link and choose "save target file as..." to download it on your computer. Then just click on it to play it with a player (usually Windows Media Player on a PC or iTunes on a Mac).
How can I upload the podcasts on my iPod?
- Open iTunes
- Choose "subscribe to podcast" from the "advanced" menu
- Copy and paste the podcast feed URL http://www.invisiblestudio.it/projects/malta/completed/rss.xml
- The Visitmalta podcasts will appear into your podcast directory. Click "Get all" to download all the episodes on your computer.
- Connect your iPod to the computer, and iTunes will automatically upload all the episodes on your iPod in the m4a "audio with images" format, in the podcast folder on your iPod.
With other mp3 players, directions will vary. Please consul the "help" section of your software.
About VisitMalta Podcasts
Production:
- VisitMalta podcasts are produced by InvisibleStudio www.invisiblestudio.it for the Malta Tourism Authority.
Music:
- Jingles: Spirall, by Ruben Zahra, www.rubenzahra.com
- For the episode 'Music in Malta': Il-kewkba u d-dghajsa (from the album "Mal-Kant tal-Bahar", 2004, music by Charles Camilleri, Lyrics by Joe Friggieri, vocals by Sophia Grech) and Arabesque (from the CD "Arabesque" by Ruben Zahra www.rubenzahra.com/).
- Music form the movie trailers are courtesy of the producers.
Photography:
- InvisibleStudio.it, Heritage Malta, Malta Tourism Authority, Winston Azzopardi, Mediterranean Film Studios. Stills from the films are courtesy of the producers.
Credits
Malta Tourism Authority:
- UK office: Claude Zammit Trevisan
- Head Office Malta: Dominic Micallef, Michael Piscopo, Angela Said, Rosanne Sciberras, Stella Vella.
InvisibleStudio:
- Stefania Boiano, Giuliano Gaia
Special thanks to: (in alphabetical order)
- Winston Azzopardi, Konrad Buhagiar, Jair Cordina, John Critien, Pierre Darmanin, Cynthia de Giorgio, Nicholas de Piro, Charles Debono, Vincent DeBono, John Ebejer, Joe Friggieri, Malcolm Galea, Chris Gatt, Reuben Grima, Susanna Housden, Dominic Micallef, John Mizzi, Laurent Muller, Antonio Espinosa Rodriguez, Nicholine Sagona, Keith Sciberras, Stephen Spiteri, James Vella Clark, Nicholas Vella, Paul Xuereb, Alfred Zahra, Ruben Zahra, Kenneth Zammit Tabona, Marius Zerafa.