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Guys, I have a confession to make.
I am completely, utterly, wholeheartedly OBSESSED with ornate doors from around the world.
Seriously…
Malta’s bright and beautifully coloured doors and quirky door knockers were like a drug to me and my camera. The more doors I saw, the more photos I took. I was hooked. Malta was the perfect country to feed my addiction. I don’t think I’ve taken that many photos of doors, door knockers and shutters in all my travels…EVER!
Read more: A One Week Itinerary For Visiting Malta During Off Season
Before heading to Malta, I was skimming through Pinterest (naturally) and saw a photo of a bright blue door surrounded by purple flowers in Mdina. THAT was a photo that stuck in my mind for awhile. It was stunning! Malta is famous for having some of the most visually interesting doorways with unique door knockers. Malta boasts doorways that range from freshly painted and pristine, to chipped and battered, but both are beautiful in their own way and if you ask me, the older ones tell more of a story, especially within a country that has over 6,000 years of history.
Read more: Wandering around Mdina – Malta’s Silent City
Every house in Malta has their own design element that showcases different personalities. The door knockers, called il-Habbata in Maltese, range from lions to dolphins, or eagles to angels. Each street I took, I would be snapping away like a crazy person. I’m pretty sure that within my first few hours in Malta, I snapped about 10-15 doors. Ya…obsessed, I told you!
I read somewhere that in the past, people used to scratch at other people’s doors, rather than knock, so the il-Habbata was introduced to protect their fingers and nails? True or not, who knows? It makes for a rather interesting story though, that’s for sure! Even while walking though the quiet streets, I’d hear knocking at doors and it was pretty great to see that even in 2017, they still use door knockers more so than the annoying electronic doorbells we are used to hearing today.
The Maltese people are true artists when it comes to the exterior of their homes. They pay attention to details that make their homes stand out by making them unique and beautiful. Whether it’d be by painting their doors and shutters with vibrant coloured paints, or adorning their doors with quirky brass door knockers, they sure do the term “curb appeal” sweet justice!
Read more: The colourful wooden balconies of Malta
Wonderful photos of all the details. I would have done the same thing you did if we were not on a limited day tour. I was in awe of the beautiful doors and balconies too. I’d love Le to go back and stay a week and wonder around.
Aww thanks Macey!Yes, you definitely need to make your way back someday. I already want to return 😉
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Dear Tosh, breath-taking photographs. I will visit Mdina soon and one of my bucket List thing is to see this beautiful blue door. Is it easy to find or can you help me where it is exactly? Thank you so much!
Hi Sisi! So happy that you are going to Mdina!! You’re going to love it! The blue door is located at the end of the alleyway with the restaurant called Coogi’s. It’s in an open courtyard area. you can’t miss it if you find Coogi’s. While you’re there, visit the restaurant for some really great pasta! yum!! Have a blast!! xo