The upcoming epic film Troy begs the question: with Hollywood hunks Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom starring, who's going to notice the scenery? But director Wolfgang Peterson and the team behind the movie have chosen to shoot in the stunning location of Malta - ensuring the setting of the big screen version of Helen of Troy's tale will be just as gorgeous as the film's stars.
Located in the Mediterranean to the south of Sicily, the 95-square-mile island, which has around 400,000 inhabitants, is famed for its natural beauty and architecture. When the Romans arrived in 2000 BC, they dubbed the island Melita, meaning "honey", because of the colour of its terrain. The Greeks, Phoenicians, Arabs, French, Spanish and the British have all left their mark on both the landscape and the culture of the island, leaving a complex history which further enhances its unique charm.
The £140-million film isn't the first to use Malta's serene and sweeping landscapes as a backdrop. Hollywood productions including the Oscar-winning Gladiator and 1981's Clash Of The Titans were filmed there, as was the classic TV miniseries Brideshead Revisited and Madonna's Swept Away, which earned rave reviews for its beautiful beaches, if not its cultural value.
Ghajn Tuffieha Bay is just one scenic location where the shooting of Troy, set in 1193 BC, is taking place. Located on the northwest coastline, the isolated bay's sandy beaches, which are overlooked by a 17th-century watchtower, can only be reached by steps. Meanwhile the idyllic town of Valletta, which has fewer hotels than other areas and is a wonderful spot to discover historical sites, offers a fascinating range of architecture with the magnificent St John's Cathedral as its centrepiece. When not wearing full body armour and strutting his stuff along the shoreline, Brad has apparently made himself at home in the exclusive town of St Julians, known for world class hotels and wealthy homeowners such as race car driver Michael Schumacher.
The island's many highlights – which attracted the Material Girl as well as other celebs including Robbie Williams – have apparently left an impression on the Troy star, who has been in Malta since May. After his wife, Friends actress Jennifer Aniston, joined him there, the couple decided to look into buying property locally.
"They've fallen in love with Malta and have been soaking up every last bit of the place," said a source. "They're amazed by its beauty and the friendliness of the locals… Jennifer says the peace and quiet suits them down to the ground."
Photo: AFP
