Mountains in Malta? These old maps shows an entirely different island to what we’re used to!
Have you ever wondered what Malta would look like if it had mountains? These ancient maps show the Maltese Islands like you’ve never them seen before!
Postcard from the 1930s
The map shows the entire area of the Maltese Islands in an almost 3D format depicting the island’s landscape as one having mountains and lush greenery. The postcard even shows familiar areas: Baia di Mellieha, Baia di S. Paolo (St Paul’s Bay), Citta Vecchia (which is supposedly Mdina), P. Benisa (Benghajsa Point) and obviously the sister isles, Gozo and Comino.
Painting found in the Vatican
This cool photo shows an ancient map of the Maltese Islands which can be found in none other than the Vatican museum in Rome. It primarily focuses on Valletta and its strategic position in the good old days, when battle settlements were a thing.
1689 Coronelli map found in London
This 1689 map celebrates the Knights of Malta and can be found in Althea Antique Maps & Rare Charts, London. The map shows various mountains (but let’s be real, they’re probably hills) at various sites around the islands. It’s quite the elaborate map, even showing various coats of arms, possibly commemorating different Knights from the Order.
1650 Jansson map found in London
This rare circa 1650 Jansson map of Malta in fine colour can also be found at Althea Antique Maps & Rare Charts, London. The map shows a totally different landscape to what we’re used to nowadays and also includes an inset of Valletta and the Three Cities.
16th century edition of Munster's Cosmographia
This stunning map is a 16th century edition of "Melita & Goza" (Malta and Gozo) by the German cosmographer Sebastian Munster. It was apparently included in his Cosmographia which is one of the most influential cartographic works of the 16th century.
Super stuff!