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MALTA
Location - Mediterranean Europe; Capital - Valletta; Population - 420,000; Currency - Euro MORE MALTA
I timed a visit to Malta to coincide with Notte Bianca, held in the capital Valletta at the end of September.
Malta is a relative newcomer to the Euro zone
Valletta is a tiny capital situated at the head of a peninsula - Valletta
It has a population of less than 7,000 - Valletta
A Doric temple sits in the Lower Barrakka Gardens - Valletta
Below the Lower Barrakka Gardens is the Siege Bell Memorial, which commemorates lost lives in WWII convoys from 1940-43.
Beyond is Ricasoli Fort - Valletta
Fort St Angelo lies across the Grand Harbour in Vittoriosa - Valletta
Dockyard Creek divides the towns of Vittoriosa (left) and Senglea, as seen from the Lower Barrakka Gardens in Valletta
The Upper Barrakka Gardens (the highest point in the photo) and Grand Harbour at Valletta
Notte Bianca gets into full swing on Triq ir-Repubblika in Valletta
The 18th century Auberge de Castille is now the Prime Minister's office - Valletta
The Auberge de Castille is only open to the public on Notte Bianca (White Night), an evening in September where museums and government offices are open into the early hours, free of charge. Music and cultural performances take place, and bars & restaurants are heaving - Valletta
The grounds of the Upper Barrakka Gardens - Valletta
A band performs at the Upper Barrakka Gardens on Notte Bianca - Valletta
A few days after Notte Bianca the island celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Armed Forces of Malta. They performed at the Upper Barrakka Gardens - Valletta
The Lower Barrakka Gardens can be seen from the Upper Barrakka Gardens. The bright building is the Gardens' Doric temple - Valletta
Valletta was built in the 16th & 17th centuries, following the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.
The siege comprised the successful defence of the island by the Knights of St John against the Ottomans led by Suleyman the Magnificent - Valletta
Ricasoli Fort, across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, where scenes from Gladiator and Troy were filmed - Valletta
Below the Upper Barrakka Gardens are the cannons of the Saluting Battery. Across the Grand Harbour from the gardens is Senglea, one of the Three Cities (the others being Vittoriosa and Cospicua) - Valletta
At the tip of Vittoriosa is Fort St Angelo - from Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta
Vittoriosa and a plethora of boats in Dockyard Creek - Valletta
Look further to the right from the Upper Barrakka Gardens and you'll see the floatplane airstrip and Valletta Waterfont - Valletta
The capital gets its name from the Knights' Grand Master at the time of the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, Jean Parisot de la Valette.
Work started on the construction of the fortified capital the following year - Valletta
Valletta only measures about 1km²
St James Cavalier houses art exhibitions, a theatre and cinema; I love the entrance - Valletta
St Paul's Cathedral - Valletta
Some great flags adorn the streets of Valletta in preparation for Notte Bianca
More flags in Valletta
St John's Co-Cathedral dates to the 16th century - Valletta
It has a status of co-cathedral as it was given equal status to St Paul's Cathedral in Mdina - St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta
Opposite the cathedral is St John's Square with its outdoor restaurant - Valletta
Up for sale in Valletta
From the top of Triq Zekka the Basilica of our Lady of Mount Carmel dominates - Valletta
Another perfect place to lounge and people watch is Republic Square - Valletta
The National Library overlooks Republic Square - Valletta
The Royal Opera House was destroyed in World War II by a German air raid - Valletta
The streets of Valletta
The National War Museum houses Faith, the sole survivor of four Sea Gladiators (three of them were known as Faith, Hope and Charity) used by Malta defending the islands against Italy during World War II - Valletta
Also in the National War Museum is a medal the nation is proud of. Malta is the only country to receive the George Cross, Britain's highest award for bravery, for its heroism during World War II.
The Cross, pictured, is the original; the letter from King George VI dated April 15th 1942 is a copy, the original now kept in Mdina:
'To honour her brave people I award the George Cross to the island fortress of Malta to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history' - Valletta
The main entrance to Valletta is via the City Gate
Go to Hastings Gardens/St Michael's Bastion for a look out to Marsamxett Harbour and Sliema beyond - Valletta
18th century Fort Manoel is situated on Manoel Island in Marsamxett Harbour - Valletta
There's many religious statues dotted around Malta - Valletta
The 16th century Church of St Paul's Shipwreck - Valletta
Two notable establishments linked to the silver screen are:
- Hotel British (left) where some scenes from Spielberg's Munich were filmed
- The Pub (right) was a favourite of Oliver Reed while filming Gladiator; he was taken ill here and died minutes later - Valletta
Buildings surrounding St George's Square in Valletta
More live music on Notte Bianca, this time at St George's Square - Valletta
My YouTube video of the performance, though unfortunately my camera ran out of memory before I included them in the movie. Great voice!
The 16th century Grand Master's Palace is on St George's Square in Valletta
The Grand Master's Palace was home to the Grand Masters of the Knights of St John but is now the President's residence - Valletta
More Notte Bianca performances - Valletta
The Notte Bianca crowds.
Valletta is nowhere near as lively and packed as this normally! It's pretty quiet, with the life usually further afield at Sliema and Paceville.
The Grand Harbour and Three Cities lie beyond Valletta
Check out St Publius Church in Floriana from St John's Bastion in Valletta
Fort Rinella lies just beyond the Three Cities
Next to Fort Rinella are the Mediterranean Film Studios, famous for the two biggest filming water tanks in Europe
Vittoriosa, one of the Three Cities, lies across the Grand Harbour from Valletta
Church of St Lawrence - Vittoriosa
Dockyard Creek forms Vittoriosa's waterfront, with Senglea on the right
Fort St Angelo was reinforced by the Knights in the 16th century.
Valletta lies in the background - Vittoriosa
One of the smaller boats at Dockyard Creek - Vittoriosa
The quiet backstreets of Vittoriosa
Across the water from Vittoriosa is Senglea, also one of the Three Cities
Senglea and a few cheap (?) boats as seen from Vittoriosa
Wander across to Senglea and get a view of Vittoriosa
Waiting for supper at Senglea waterfront
Dockyard Creek and the Vittoriosa waterfront, from Senglea. At the front is a traditional boat called a dghajsa.
A view of Valletta and Dockyard Creek from Senglea
A close up of Valletta - including Upper Barrakka Gardens - from Senglea's watchtower
Lower Barrakka Gardens and the Siege Bell Memorial at Valletta
If you're passing through Mosta take time out to see the 19th century Parish Church of Santa Maria, aka the Mosta Dome
I noticed lots of plantpots in the narrow streets of Malta - Mosta
Website and content Copyright © 2008-2011 Mark Wilkinson. All rights reserved.
LINKS
www.nottebiancamalta.com - Notte Bianca
www.gozochannel.com - Gozo ferry
www.gozo.gov.mt - Gozo
I am not responsible for the content of external websites.
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