"Church of Saint Lawrence" - Birgu, Malta - 2019
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When the Order of Saint John first settled in Malta in 1530, all of their langues were based in Birgu, so the Church of Saint Lawrence was used as the Order's first conventual church in Malta. It served this purpose for 41 years from 1530 to 1571 until the Knights were transferred to the new capital city Valletta.
The foundation stone of the present church was laid in May 1681 by Bishop Molina. It was completed in 1696. The church was inaugurated by Bishop Davide Cocco Palmieri on the feast of St Lawrence, August 10, 1697. It was consecrated in 1723. In 1820 Pope Pius VII bestowed the dignity of Collegiate church upon the parish church of St Lawrence.
"Senglea" - Malta - 2019
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Nestled in the central portion of the Grand Harbour, the above photograph is of Senglea. Senglea, along with its sister cities of Cospicua and Vittoriosa are known as the "Three Cities" which are of great historical importance in Malta. Most notably, this is the location where the Knights of St. John defended and won against the "Great Siege" and massive invasion by the Ottoman Empire in 1565.
Remarkably, some 500 Knights along with a few hundred foot soldiers and a total population of only 6,100 residents miraculously repelled the Ottoman invasion force estimated at over 40,000!
"Triton Fountain" - Valletta, Malta - 2019
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The Triton Fountain (Maltese: Il-Funtana tat-Tritoni) is a fountain located on the periphery of the City Gate of Valletta, Malta. It consists of three bronze Tritons holding up a large basin, balanced on a concentric base built out of concrete and clad in travertine slabs. The fountain is one of Malta's most important Modernist landmarks. It was built between 1952 and 1959,
Nearby, on the right, is the Phoenicia Hotel. We stopped in the hotel for coffee and thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality. One of the nicest hotels on the island, we would absolutely stay at the Phoenicia the next time we're in Malta.
"St. John's Co-Cathedral Altar" - Valetta, Malta - 2019
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If you ever, ever, ever get to Malta, don't miss St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta. It was built by the Order of St. John between 1572 and 1577, a mere 12 years after the Great Siege. The exterior is intentionally austere and plain so imagine the surprise, no shock once inside. Perhaps one of the most elaborately designed and decorated cathedral in the world.
The Co-Cathedral is home to at least two great works of Caravaggio. You should allow at least 3 hours time to get just the basic tour. This view is just the main altar in the main sanctuary. Impressive, but doesn't capture the magnificence and elegance of the entire sanctuary. Since tripods aren't allowed in the sanctuary, I couldn't take that type of photograph. You just have to visit it yourself!
"Basilica of the Virgin Of Ta' Pinu" - Gozo, Malta - 2019
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The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu (Maltese: Santwarju Bażilika tal-Madonna ta' Pinu) is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and national shrine located some 700 metres (2,300 ft) from the village of Għarb on the island of Gozo, the sister island of Malta. The church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu. The basilica is located in open countryside which allows visitors to enjoy beautiful views of the area and is of great national importance to Gozitans everywhere.
"Cafe Du Brazil" - Vittoriosa, Malta - 2019
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Near the Vittoriosa central square are many quaint and wonderful restaurants. The food is as varied as the cultural history of Malta. This restaurant, like many is nestled in amongst the actual neighborhood so getting there is easy. Walk!
"Kalkara Parish Church" - Kalkara, Malta - 2019
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Located harbor side is the community of Kalkara. The community church stands beautifully lit in the evening.
"Mosta Dome" - Mosta, Malta - 2019
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This is also known as the Rotunda of Mosta. It's the third largest dome in the world arching completely over The Basilica of the Assumption Of Our Lady in Mosta.
During World War II, the town of Mosta was prone to aerial bombardment due to its proximity to the airfield of RAF Ta Kali. At about 16:40 on 9 April 1942, the Luftwaffe dropped three bombs on the church, and two of them deflected without exploding. However, one 500 kg high explosive bomb pierced the dome and entered the church, where a congregation of more than 300 people were awaiting early evening mass. The bomb did not explode, and a Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal unit defused it and dumped it into the sea off the west coast of Malta. This event was interpreted as a miracle by the inhabitants, and a similar bomb is now displayed in the sacristy at the back of the church, under the words Il-Miraklu tal-Bomba, 9 ta' April 1942 (meaning "The Bomb Miracle, 9 April 1942").
"Valletta" - Valletta, Malta - 2019
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Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was purpose built by the Knights of St. John after the Great Siege to serve as a new, fortified for defense, capital of Malta. The peninsula upon which it is built flanks the northwestern side of the Grand Harbor. It was designed to be impenetrable from further attack by the Ottoman's. Today it is a vibrant, wonderful city.
"Bomb Shelter" - Malta - 2019
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During World War II, Malta was one of the most important strategic targets of the Axis powers due to its geographic location. Subsequently, Malta was heavily bombed, sometimes around the clock, day after day for months and years. Despite the inhospitable environment and overcrowding, the bomb shelters became a way of every day life for the Maltese.
Today a few remain open for visitors to see. They are carved from the limestone with tunnels sometimes reaching hundreds of yards in all directions. They may be rudimentary or contain medical clinics, kitchens, etc.
"d-Centre" - Vittoriosa, Malta - 2019
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We had some VERY fun evenings at this place. Again, near the Vittoriosa City Square, the front is almost nondescript. Otherwise, remarkably friendly Maltese. Perhaps its only because we had such wonderful memories here, we love this picture!
"Triq il-Lunzjata" - Birgu, Malta - 2019
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Deep within the heavily fortified city of what is now called Vittoriosa, the neighborhoods still contain centuries old architecture. These streets would have represented normal neighborhoods within the "Three Cities" which repelled the Great Siege by the Ottomans. Today, the city is vibrant as ever.
"Church of Saint Lawrence - Study 2 - Birgu, Malta - 2019
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This view of Saint Lawrence is taken from near the harbor shoreline looking up the street to the higher elevation upon which the church sits.
"Grand Harbor" - Vittoriosa, Malta - 2019
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This was actually taken from the rocks upon which Fort San Angelo now sits. In the distance is Valletta. The battles of the Great Siege of 1565 were fought in this very spot with literally hundreds of galley ships and troops storming these shores.
"Triq it-Trammantana" - Birgu, Malta - 2019
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Another street in old Birgu, now Vittoriosa this one has become pedestrian only. Still neat and clean.
"Siblings" - Kalkara, Malta - 2019
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Every so often something catches my eye. Today, it was an upstairs apartment with three windows open and three identical sibling dogs in each of the three windows. They were obviously wanting to socialize and get some fresh air. But by the time I got my camera up to take the picture, one of the three was gone. Oh well, it's still a great memory.
"La Vecchia Taranto" - Valletta, Malta - 2019
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Malta offers great food, and mostly provided by small, privately owned restaurants. The variety is unbelievable, but I would say Italian styles are well represented.
This restaurant specializes in Neapolitan style pizza. Our daughter, son-in-law and their two girls found it before we did. After much raving, we decided to come here and it was literally off the charts good.
"St. James Bastion" - Valletta, Malta - 2019
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Perhaps one of the most fortified cities in the world, the very purpose for building Valletta was to create a combination of normal neighborhoods within unprecedented military protection. The fortifications surround the city entirely, but as a peninsula, the line that connected the peninsula to the rest of the island was of considerable importance. A deep ditch was cut across to make crossing nearly impossible. Bastions were built to provide a defensive vantage point. This one is stands near the City Gate to Valletta.