Valletta, Malta. March 20

We have smooth sailing into Valletta harbor and are graced with this breathtaking view.  I have heard of fortified cities, but this is truly a masterpiece.  

Another view of our port.

I’ll let the pictures talk for themselves and then give you a brief overview of the island of Malta at the end.

A view from a distance to the town of Mdina, a World Heritage site

Lots of prickly pair cacti grow on the island and they make vine, juice and jams out of them

Typical landscape.  Very few trees are left, they all got cut down eons ago also turning this place into a somewhat  arid island, however the wildflowers are beautiful. 

Though they do manage to grow lots of wine.  They are pretty self sustaining when it comes to vegetable.  However they import most of their fruits,  

Another typical view of the country side,  the green areas you see are vegetable fields, though they do also grow strawberries.  

The inside of the dome church seen below. It is so huge you really can’t capture it with the camera

The round dome church, called the Mosta Church.  It boasts one of the world’s largest unsupported dome.  It was constructed by the villagers in the 19th century. 

The church towers of the cathedral in Mdina,  what is unique is that one side has the time and the other tower on the opposite side as the calendar.

The Mdina Cathedral and its two towers

The narrow roads of Mdina

These box windows have peepholes and were used by Arabic women to have a look at the outside world, as they were not allowed in public without escorts and uncovered.  This is just one of the many unique features of the city that reveals its varied history and occupation by different cultures. 

Warming up at one of the little roof top cafes, enjoying a cup of coffee and  the best Orange/Hazelnut cake 

One of the town’s plaza with cozy cafes 

The town is almost a ghost town,  only about 200 people remain.  Since it is a world heritage site any restorations that are done have to conform to strict rules.  The existing residents can’t afford to renovate. The young can not afford  to buy so as the existing residents leave or die off no one replaces them.  There is one monetary with only three nuns and one monk.  Eventually it too will be deserted.  It has become primarily a tourist attraction and so souvenir, restaurants and coffee shop remain.  The streets are too narrow inside the city walls for cars so you really feel like you have been transported in time.  

And we sail away to our next destination.   You can see the two harbors and the city of Valletta wedged between them.  

Now a little about Valletta, Malta:  Malta is and independent Republic and gained its independence from the British Empire in 1964.  It has been under numerous flags, such as the Knights of St John, the Moors, the French and so on.  It’s current population is 500K for the entire island, one of the smallest in the EU.  Valletta, the capital since 1571 has only 6K and was designated  a UNESCO site in 1980.  It is the most densely populated city in EU with 3,000 people per square mile.  Green-space is at a premium, but a city garden was created in 1661 ( Upper Barrakka Garden)  perched on the highest point of the St Peter’s and Paul’s Bastion,  city walls.  Malta was shaped by countless civilizations, but the “Knights of John” built the island’s honey colored limestone Baroque style buildings and fortification walls.  Valletta is situated on a peninsula between two natural harbors, one called the Grand and the other the Marsamxett harbor.  

They speak Maltese, their official language, though English is spoken widely.  Malta is 90% catholic  and boats some 200 churches, 25 of which are in Valletta, albeit many or tiny.    They are very tolerant of other minority religions.  It is a very safe and clean island and its people are very friendly and culturally diverse.  

Just a brief comment about or tours.  The first day a 3 hour drive around the island was disappointing because we did not get to go off the bus to have a closer look at the various points of interest the guide was pointing too.  It was also cloudy and very cold.  Our second day, the weather had improved, the sun was out and our tour was much better as we toured the ancient cities of Mdina and Mosta.  

Oh, by the way a left over tradition, they drive on the left side of the road and all the cars and buses have the steering wheel on the right side of the car.