Tag Archives: Malta

Fun Photo Friday — 54 Days at Sea, Malta Favorites 2


Malta after Sunrise

More Malta favorites:

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54 Days at Sea — Malta; St. John’s Co-Cathedral


Saint John’s Co-Cathedral

In Valletta, the capital of Malta, is St. John’s Co-Cathedral. This co-cathedral was built by the Order of St. John (Knights Hospitaller) over a five-year period ending in 1577.

Saint John’s Co-Cathedral

You may know the Malta branch of Knights Hospitaller under different names — Knights of Malta. This was one fascinating group. For more information, read History of Malta under the Order of St. John.

Saint John’s Co-Cathedral

While the exterior is rather plain and dull, so much so that I failed to even photograph it, the interior is positively stunning:

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54 Days at Sea — Strolling in Valletta


Banners for the upcoming Feast of St. Augustine, Valletta

One of the striking aspects of strolling the streets of Valletta, Malta, are the colors that abound everywhere. For instance, in May there’s a week-long Feast of St. Augustine, and vivid red-and-gold banners fly everywhere. Even though M.S. Prinsendam arrived some three weeks before the festival, the banners were already in evidence over many streets. And below is a photo of a Valletta vendor vending various vines beneath a vaulted verdigris dome (sorry; couldn’t resist that one):

Valletta vendor vending various vines

Let us remember that Malta has been for much of its history a very strategic fortress. As such, there are many fortifications on the island. Here is a view of St. John’s Bastion:

St. John’s Bastion, Valletta

There are many statues and fountains around Valletta, such as the ones below:

Statue on the General Workers Union building, Valletta

Republic Square, Valletta

Triton Fountain, Valletta

Wall fountain at St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta

And, of course, those wonderful wooden Maltese balconies, called gallerija:

Maltese gallarija (balcony)

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