Malta’s beautifully enigmatic doorways

Malta is rightly famous for its great weather, beautiful seas and fantastic food. But Peter Moore reckons that its beguiling doors are worth checking out too.

In Malta, the locals believe that a doorway tells you a lot about a person. Or a business for that matter.

The singular architectural style of the buildings in its ancient cities like Valletta, Mdina and the three cities of Birgu, Senglea and Bormla, mean that your door is the best and often only way to express your personality.

The doors are brightly painted, of course. You’ll find various shades of blue, green and yellow. And a lot of red.

Locals believe a red door protects the occupants from evil. The little religious shrines that are embedded in the walls beside Maltese doors are believed to help with that as well.

The Maltese love an ornate door knocker too. Called il-Habbatta in the local lingo they come in the shape of lions and eagles, dolphins and angels. Knockers in the shape of a Maltese Cross are popular too. 

Call Me Gwen has an entire blog dedicated to to the most beautiful Maltese doors and knockers on her website called Malta Doors.

The knockers symbolise status and wealth. Like with many things in life, the bigger and more elaborate, the better.

For businesses, a doorway offers the chance to attract customers and to lure them in.

Again, some are ornate and elaborate. But others are simple and strong, reflecting the dependability and trustworthiness of the enterprise within.

It’s easily possible to spend hours wandering the narrow streets of Malta’s ancient cities and not see two doors the same.

There’s a charm too in Malta’s least loved doors.

Neglected and dilapidated, they have their own stories. Success, failure, fortune and misfortune is writ in every crack and flake and broken hinge.

With Malta opening its doors to visitors again, make sure you take the time to check out its beguiling doorways.