A little known fact about New York City is that it has a rather robust population of Maltese expats, many of whom started settling there around the 1800s until well into the 1980s in search of a better future and a promise of the ‘American Dream’.

Maltese in New York

History tells us that the first recorded Maltese immigrant to settle in New York was a certain Carmelo Caruana, an ambitious entrepreneur who married the daughter of an American diplomat and ended up becoming a permanent New Yorker.  

History records also show that the Maltese in New York transplanted a lot of their culture to the city, particularly in Brooklyn where they formed a little Mediterranean haven with over 2, 000 Maltese settling there by the year 1925.

Some of the areas in New York where the Maltese had settled apart from Brooklyn include Flatbush, Bay Ridge, the Bronx, Long Island, and Times Square as well as Manhattan, where they intermingled with Italians, Jews and polygots. While there, the Maltese community maintained their Catholic faith and was known to worship in places like the church of St. Simon which was situated on 183rd Street and Valentine Avenue, as well as the Sacred Heart church on East 33rd Street.

Famous Maltese in New York

One of the most famous New York Maltese of that era was stage actor and singer Joseph Spurin Calleia, who starred in productions such as “The Broken Wing” and “Small Miracle”, and was later signed by Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer for two years. After that, he moved on to work as a freelancer, leading him to a prominent role in the “Algiers” film, which earned him an American Critics’ Award.

The Maltese community in New York later held an event at the Cornish Arms Hotel to commemorate Celleia’s success, as he played a huge role to put the Maltese community on the map among New York society and the movie industry at large. During the event, Calleia was also celebrated for his contribution of food and clothing to the Malta Relief Fund during World War II.

One of the most remarkable qualities about Calleia is that throughout all his time in New York City, he never forgot about his beloved native land. So the first thing he did when he retired at 65 was to move back to Malta so that he could spend his last days breathing in the fresh Mediterranean air.  

Another well-known Maltese who was famous for his philanthropic work was Mgr. George Caruana. Caruana is most noted for his efforts in collecting food, clothing and money for the Maltese who were left displaced and desolate after World War II. Caruana later became a Bishop and along with Joseph Doublet founded the Malta Society of New York before the Bishop’s death in 1951.

Meanwhile, Doublet is known for creating The Maltese Journal in June 1935, which not only lasted for eleven years after its initial publication, but served as a reliable (albeit free) source of relevant and timely information for the Maltese in New York and beyond. The paper was also known for unwavering adherence to journalistic integrity, which established it as a reliable source of information.

The Journal circulated in New York, San Francisco, Detroit, Philadelphia and Toronto and was in publication until November 1946. Although Doublet was still a resident of Huntingdon, New York when he passed on, he had served his country well throughout his stay in this foreign land.

Travelling to New York

While numerous decades have passed since the first generation of Maltese expats settled in the New York City, their descendants still remain proud of their heritage and periodically visit Malta to this day. If you’re thinking of booking a trip to Malta from New York any time soon, consider the following:   

• Getting there: As a rule, flights to Malta island from New York typically travel via Rome, Munich, London and Frankfurt, and the journey usually lasts for about 11 to 12 hours.

• Stay for more than just a week: Malta is a gorgeous destination with so much to offer, and if it’s your first time visiting you’ll want to stay for more than just a week so that you can savor all its natural and man-made wonders. From beautiful beaches and historic monuments, to a slew of world-class museums, art galleries, restaurants and shops- Malta has it all!

• The best time to visit: The most ideal time to visit Malta is around the month of April, because that’s when the weather really starts to get glorious, plus there aren’t a lot of tourists yet.

• How to get around: The best way to get around in Malta is via the bus. Not only is it the cheapest mode of transport there is, but it’s also quite convenient and reliable.

There are various bus routes and comfortable buses that can take you pretty much anywhere you like. Plus, if you buy a weekly ticket you won’t have to purchase a new one every time you need to travel.

However, if you want to travel to really far-out areas like the secluded and serene Mistra Bay beach, you’ll have to hire a car.

• Where to go: While this is by no means a comprehensive travel guide, we can tell you that different parts of Malta appeal to different types of visitors.

For example, history buffs and art lovers will enjoy Valletta’s cathedrals, museums and historical relics. For a taste of modern culture, visit Sliema or St. Julian’s, which is also known as Malta’s party central and is where all the best restaurants, shops, pubs and bars are situated.

However, if you want to experience the Maltese countryside, simply head to M’dina or Gozo where you’ll be greeted with rustic vineyards and ancient farmhouses with rural charm and modern amenities.   

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