The Most Humble City of Valletta, Malta

As we glanced out our stateroom window, it appeared that Mr. Peabody and Sherman broke out their Wayback Machine last night and transported us to 1581.  We had arrived in the Grand Harbor of Valletta. A natural waterway that has been in use since the Phoenicians. Today in every direction are the walled fortresses and cathedrals built by the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, also known as Knights Hospitaller, in the 16th through 18th centuries. It was breathtaking.

We set out on foot with no immediate plans other then to walk throughout the city. What we found was fascinating baroque architecture and with every turn dwellings that had been occupied for five hundred years or more.

Keeping out the wind since 1686

 Gardens of the Grandmasters Palace

Courtyard in the Grandmasters Palace

Quite possibly the coolest door ever.

St John's Co-Cathedral was also built by the Order of St John in the late 1500's. Incredibly ornate, the most fascinating elements are the chapels, built and dedicated to the patron saints of the eight priories of the Knights Hospitaller. Each one competing to outdo the others.

St Johns Cathedral Main Nave

Chapel of the Langue of Germany

As luck would have it, the day we toured the city was the Annual Traditional Scout Parade.  Upwards of 5,000 current and former Maltese boy scouts, girl guides, cubs scouts, and venture scouts march to the beat of drums, horns, bag pipes, and every other musical instrument that can be carried.  They start from the granaries of Floriana and march all the way through Valletta.  The parade stretched for as far as the eye could see.  It would have been a fantastic time to fall down and need some assistance.   

Madam, we are here to help you cross the street.

The ship sailed from the Grand Harbor as night fell and the lights came on across the walls of the city. One last amazing sight before we left Malta.

Valletta is at 31.91N, 14.48E. The weather, sunny and 76 degrees.

We will visit the Knights Hospitaller once again in our next port, Rhodes, Greece.

Cheers,
P&J