Ghosts and Ghouls
Some of the tales of the Maltese
are somewhat spookier than others.
There are many sayings about the
various ghosts that haunt the island,
and given the vast history and the
countless wars and battles fought on
this land, it is to be expected. The
main ghost in the Maltese culture is
called ‘il-Ħares’, and although there
are tales abounding, it was more of
a well-known secret than anything
else. The predominant Catholic faith
did not give lieu to belief in ghosts
and spirits, however the Maltese of
olden times still kept a strong belief
in this ghastly character, and there
was many a house which remained
empty for years and years, amid
rumours of being haunted. One such
house can still be seen on the way to
Marsaxlokk, a lovely two storey house
in the middle of the countryside, still
boarded up and empty to this very
day. This ‘Ħares’ took different forms,
however it was very common in old
days to hear a hushed rumour about
a Turk ‘Ħares’, who would provide
money and gold to the inhabitants
of the house, as long as they kept
their mouths shut about him. It was
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said that if the identity of the ‘Ħares’
was discovered, he would not appear
again. There are many more legends
and stories concerning eerie beings
roaming the island, some from the
time of the Knights of St John, some
about the Turks, the French and even
British admirals and soldiers. I’ll let
you in on some of these tales, though
it is up to you whether to believe
them or not!
Il-‘ Ħares’ at Fort Ricasoli
The Turkish ghost ever present in
Maltese tales makes an appearance
at Fort Ricasoli, near the Grand
Harbour in Valletta. It is said that
a worker resting in the Fort was
once awakened by t his ‘Ħares’, who
looked like a Turk. This ghost told the
worker about a treasure of golden
coins which could be found in the
Fort itself. After having been told the
location of such treasure, the foolish
workman (breaching any unwritten
contract with said Turk), rushed off
to find his friend to tell him all about
the treasure. The two men set off
towards the location indicated by the
ghost, however when they found the
spot, they discovered a heap of coal