Valletta

After being in Malta for almost a month a visit to Malta's capital city was well over due; especially as we look across to Valletta from our balcony everyday. So set out early one Sunday morning under the impression that this was the best time to go (according to Stacey). Those of you who know Malta well will have already noticed the mistake in the previous sentence (hint: it's not that students don't get up early on Sunday mornings). As a religiously Christian island, Malta is pretty much deserted on a Sunday. Considering that in England most things generally operate as normal Sundays, this is something that's taken us a while to adjust to. Arriving in Valletta, we found that there wasn't many people around and none of the shops were open. After wondering around for a while, we learned that although there did used to be really good markets on Sundays (OK we forgive you Stacey), they aren't there anymore. Eventually, we found a small market, a short bus journey away, and even started our Christmas shopping. If you want to read our post about that market then click HERE!!!!

The following Friday we went back to Valletta for a proper visit. Walking down the long narrow streets, there was plenty to look at. Instead of standard street lamps, there were rustic lanterns hanging from wires high above the roads. It was hard to believe that the large doorways decorated with pictures of saints and other religious figures, were actually peoples homes. There was even a police box - the Maltese version of the TARDIS.

We even managed to 'sneak' into a government building that was hidden behind a pretty turquoise door with a knocker in the shape of the Maltese cross!!

The Barrakka Garden was a tranquil place to wonder around and to sit in the sun, while the views from the arches were stunning. There was even a tree that had been planted by the Duke of Gloucester to remind me of home.

Exploring the city some more, we found the Lascaris War Rooms; we didn't go in but the underground tunnel  that lead to the entrance was pretty scary!!

After all this adventure it was time for some coffee and ice tea; then it was onto St. John's Co-cathedral. I would strongly recommend you visit it if you ever get the chance; the amount of decoration on every wall, floor and ceiling is amazing. They give you a prerecorded handset that tells you the history as you walk around. There's also a museum but sadly we weren't allowed in at that time.

 The cathedral was built by the knights in the 16th century and walking in, the place is literally lined with gold.

It has been split into eight chapels that are dedicated to different saints, while the floors are covered in the knights' tombstones.

The ceiling was painted by knight and artist Mattia Preti and tells the life story of St John. There are also many paintings hanging around that depict various saints and stories; the most famous of which is  Caravaggio's 'The Beheading of St John the Baptist'.

J <3