… in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. The Knights of Saint John moved to Malta when they were expelled from Rhodes in 1530, and fortified its deep natural harbor so it could be defended against pirates and other invading ships. They brought a golden age of prosperity and security to Malta that lasted for 268 years, until the city surrendered to Napoleon. What’s left today is a charming stone city built on the hills, a popular vacation spot for Europeans.
Valletta was another new port for us, so we took an excursion which went first to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk, then for a glass blowing demonstration, and finally a wine tasting. We were lucky; the weekly market in Marsaxlokk was in full swing when we arrived, selling candy, fruit, veggies, clothing, cell phones, and souvenirs. Our guide said the people of Malta are in the midst of an obesity epidemic, and the many stands of local pastries and candies provided a clue to the cause.
The fishing boats in Marsaxlokk all have tiny protective eyes painted on their prows.
On the way to the Mdina Glass Factory, we passed Mosta Church, with one of the largest domes in Europe; this dome was pierced by a bomb in WWII, but miraculously, the bomb didn’t explode. Nearby was the ancient walled medieval city of Mdina.
Meridiana Vineyards were planted on the old runways of a World War II airstrip. The owners preserved the old sundial from the airstrip. The wines were just OK, but the local pepper-crusted cheese served with them was a stand-out!
Back in Valletta, we took the Barrakka Lift, an elevator on the side of the mountain, to ascend to the level of the old city. On the way up you can see the alternative meandering route to the top.
The view of the harbor and its fortifications from above was outstanding!
A timely message in a shop window provided a backdrop for a creative selfie … Arches were everywhere.
There wasn’t nearly enough time to explore the island; we would have loved to walk around in Mdina, and to see some of the ancient temples built by the Temple Culture and reputed to be the oldest free-standing monuments in the world. Next time!
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