Jeff & Michele's European Vacation
Photos: Malta
The island of Malta is located strategically between the southern tip of Italy and the northern coast of Africa. The buildings are made out of native limestone and it seems the entire island has a honey-colored hue.
One of the forts as we entered the Grand Harbour
Fortifications
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The ancient fort of St. Angelo is to the right
The Fortifications look like sandcastles as you approach the island
This seemed to be the extent of the Maltese Navy
The Dock
Jeff is READY TO GO.
Valletta is the modern capitol.
The marketplace in Valletta
In 1571 the fortifications in Valletta were considered strong enough that the Order of St. John (a society of knights who served in the Crusades) moved its seat to the new city. The Palace of Grand Masters was built to entice the nobility and knights to move to the newer city. The Palace was used by the Grand Masters, the British governors and for some time housed the offices of the President of the Republic.
The Tapestry Room at the Palace
Bronze statue of Neptune in the Palace courtyard
Michele attempting to pick up one of the locals - she wasn't very successful
The little guy didn't go for Jeff, either.
Mdina was the ancient capitol.
The Mdina Cathedral. The original cathedral was destroyed by earthquake and was rebuilt in 1697.
Detail from the outside
Inside the cathedral, there are multicolored marble slabs to commemorate the Knights and other members of the Maltese nobility. We weren't sure if there were bodies buried under the slabs but it was a little weird walking across them.
