WELCOME

This blog is dedicated to Malta - my island home. My aim is not to bore you with history but to share my thoughts and a few facts together with a photo or two. For a more in -depth background of the island please go here. The purpose of this blog is not to point out the short-comings of the island. There are plenty that do that already. My wish is to show you the beauty of an island at the cross roads of the Mediterranean, a melting pot of history; a place where fact and fiction are sometimes fused to create unique myths and legends; a country that has been conquered so many times that our culture is a mish mesh of the lands that surround us and of lands far away. I confess that my greatest desire is to make you fall in love with this tiny enchanting island.

Pages

Saturday, 23 March 2013

Snapshots of … St Elmo Point, Valletta

There’s another aspect to Valletta. Away from the churches, palaces and shops there is the other Valletta – the city of forts and fortified walls, the military marvel designed  by Francesco Laparelli. A few metres away from the entrance to Fort St Elmo, a flight of steps will take you down beneath the city’s massive walls.

Valletta 032

Valletta 051

Valletta 056

There’s evidence here of a deadly conflict; strange passages cut in the rocks; half-hidden staircases and forgotten bridges; strange remnants that everyone has forgotten the reason for; rock-hewn caverns and time-worn walls.

Valletta 040

Valletta 042

Valletta 039

Valletta 062

Valletta 087

Valletta 060

Valletta 082

Valletta 108

Valletta 077

Valletta 067

Valletta 076

And, of course, rock pools, boats and a wonderful view across the harbour.

Valletta 096Valletta 110

Valletta 101

Far from the Baroque  marvel, the military origins of Valletta slumber and dream …

Location: St Elmo Point, Valletta

4 comments:

  1. Ever since I was a child, I have wished for walls to be able to talk...

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a fascinating place! The imagination takes off!
    Great shots and that water looks amazing ... that deep, cool blue and green.
    hope you had a beautiful day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your island country is filled with history, mystery and beauty. I cannot even imagine the untold stories in these stairs and walls.

    Bises,
    Genie

    ReplyDelete

The Azure Window: the end of an icon

The Azure Window was a natural limestone arch that rose majestically out of the blue Mediterranean sea to a height of 28 metres (92 fee...