Valetta,Malta

Valetta is the capital of Malta. The city was established by the Knights of the Order of St John in response to the attack by the Ottoman army in 1551. The city is built within a high wall and filled with spectacular buildings particularly from the Baroque period so think carved stone work ornate decorations. Public transport is brilliant on Malta so we are going to travel like the locals and take the bus.

Buses arrive at an organised terminal….each bus route has a special slot and it is easy to find .It is at the entrance to the city and has this brilliant fountain. Impressed ? I am.

Tonight is the final of the International Fireworks event and the marking the anniversary of Malta joining the EU ,so there is lots of activity in the city. Stages for performances are being erected in many streets so the city is busy but we will try and see some of those Baroque buildings and other notable places. Through the gate and off we go,

Streets here are narrow just like those in Mdina. The main difference is here there are steps, lots of different levels and slopes. Don’t slip!

Tired? Let’s just go and see the Upper and Lower Barrakka gardens and then coffee.

Malta has had a turbulent history so let’s relax and watch a movie showing why Valetta came about. Now you already know about the Order of St John. This was set up for protection but also to nurse sick and injured people.

Interested? The Malta experience is in 4th of 6 levels in St John’s. The theatre was once a citrus garden perfuming the infirmary levels.

What fun facts did you like….The Ottomans getting defeated by a relatively small Maltese force. 30,000 Ottomans dead. Commander’s explanation was simply to put a candle over Malta on the map and so it didn’t exist. What about Napoleon’s soldiers? Driven into a small area because they stole from the church and they were  left without food. Golden rule on Malta….don’t mess with the church.

I can see you are flagging with all this walking and information overload so a quick look at sculptures ,fun things around the city and you can catch the bus and then rest.

A13 is our bus bay, off we go, Gozo tomorrow