| Different Graffiti found in Malta |
| The following are four examples of graffiti found in Malta. |
This grafitti is found in a private house in Hal Qormi. The ship is possibly a galleon. It does not portray only sea vessels, but also includes a coastal tower. Piracy was a common phenomenon at that time, and it created various problems to the Maltese population. This graffiti recalls how members of the Dejma used to guard the coasts from watch towers.
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Some of these watch towers still exist along the coasts of the Maltese Islands. On the same wall where this grafitti is located there are other graffiti of sea vessels. Grafitti portraying coastal scenes are extremely a rare find. |
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This grafitti is found in Bormla near the verdala barracks. This graffiti shows a ship from a different era. This is an iron ship from the British period. The British flag can be clearly seen at the back of the ship.
There is also the presence of a chimney which confirms that this graffiti came after the invention of the steam engine. |
The graffiti is found on a wall which can be linked to the type of architecture of the time and can thus be easily dated. |
This grafitti is found on the side wall on the outside of a church in Wied Qirda, Haz-Zebbug.
It portrays a good sized ship with sails. The holes shown in the side of the vessel are for decoration purposes and do not show cannons.
This is a magnificent example of a grafitti. |
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The graffiti on the right is located on the facade of a chapel in Haz-Zebbug. The graffiti shows a large ship with sails.
The details of the sails are very clear. Unfortunately this grafitti has been damaged by the iron rods of a nearby window. |
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| Many grafitti are found in a bad state, either because of stone erosion or vandalism. More concern should be put on preserving these testimonies from the past as they are a very important part of our maritime heritage. |