Valletta, Malta

Valletta is the capital city of Malta and is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta. It was another picturesque sail in with the view of the Baroque type buildings and the sparkling blue waters. (See picture)

Valletta is an old walled city and is above the port/harbor area. It was quite an uphill hike with 118 steps (we counted them), but the steps were no more than going f rom A deck on the ship to 8 deck which we do each time we return from a port. We are avoiding the elevators in an attempt to help maintain our weight. We walked down Republic street where most of the shops are located, then on to St. John’s Co-Cathedral. The building was completed in 1577 and is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The church has finely carved medieval stone walls that are adorned with vibrant colors and gold and is a unique monument of international importance.

The splendid inlaid marble floor of St. John’s consists of a collection of tombstones about six feet by four feet. The use of symbols and pictures tell the individual stories of important Knights who are entombed below.

The Oratory was once a place for private devotion, but today has paintings and large tapestries. A very large painting depicts the Beheading of St. John the Baptist. Part of the collection is a bronze monstrance intended to hold the relic of the Baptist’s forearm. There is also a collection of illuminated large choral books and a room containing elaborate vestments. The cathedral is a magnificent artistic expression of the High Baroque era. We have posted one picture of the focal part of the church. Mass is still held in the church with two masses on weekdays and six on Sunday.

You will see that we posted a picture of the Smart Car which we saw parked on the street in Valletta. Many people were stopping to look at the new car which has not yet reached the states. It was ironic that our camera picked up a horse and carriage in the back ground portraying the old with the newest type of transportation.