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| Valleta City Gate |
Welcome to Malta!
The island nation of Malta has had a number of rulers but perhaps it's best known for the catholic military order of the Knights of Saint John, also known as the Knights Hospitaller. We learned about this order when we visited the island of Rhodes. The Knights Hospitaller were in Rhodes from 1310–1522 and then they came to Malta (1530–1798).
We are staying in Valletta, the smallest capital city in the European Union. The entire city of Valletta, is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
From the Upper Barrakka Gardens we are able to see the fortified harbour.
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| Upper Barrakka Gardens |
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| Grand Harbour - View of "Three Cities of Malta" |
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| Grand Harbour View of Fort St. Elmo |
St. John’s Co-Cathedral is designed in the Baroque style with an opulent interior!
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| St. John’s Co-Cathedral |
The adjacent Oratory is home to the Caravaggio masterpiece "The Beheading of Saint John."
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| "The Beheading of Saint John" by Caravaggio |
Our Airbnb is on the Stairs Triq Sant' Orsla. This charming staircase connects different levels of this historic city.
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| Stairs Triq Sant' Orsla |
Many of the buildings date back centuries and still bustle with life.
For example, this restaurant where we had dinner offers seating on the stairs and a magical atmosphere!
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| Evening restaurant on steps |
We found a hidden gem, a 16th century Palazzo of a Maltese Noble Family! Casa Rocca Piccola was originally built in 1580 for Don Pietro La Rocca, a Knight of Malta. It was later purchased by the Di Piro family and has been their ancestral home for over 400 years! During World War II the underground cistern was converted to bomb shelters.
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| Casa Rocca Piccola |
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| Maltese Balcony |
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| Venetian Glass Chandelier |
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| Courtyard Garden |
Another hidden gem in Valletta is MUŻA - The National Community Art Museum. This museum houses a collection of works by Maltese and foreign artists.
Nearby to Valletta lies Malta's former capital, Mdina. This medieval city is still confined within its walls. We wandered around the narrow streets admiring this picturesque city.
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| Mdina City Gate |
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| Mdina Medieval Streets |
We visited St. Paul's Cathedral in Mdina, Malta's oldest church (built 1696–1705).
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| St. Paul's Cathedral |
It features magnificent frescoes!
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| St. Paul's Cathedral interior |
Our visit of Mdina ended with a heavenly view of the island (including Valletta) capped by a full rainbow!
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| View with a rainbow! |
A lovely end to a enchanting stay on the island of Malta!