Valetta

Valetta is the present-day capital of Malta built by the Knights of St John and dates from the 1500s. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and is small enough to explore in a day or two. MB spent a few days there last week ambling around the streets and seeing the sights.

The following pics give a flavour of the city. They come from a street food walking tour taken by MB and some general exploration. He will comment on a few of the pics below for the benefit of followers.

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The famous (original) painting by Carravagio – The Beheading of John the Baptist. It’s the largest painting ever by the painter and the only one he signed, which he did in the red blood (paint) from the throat of the saint. The painting is on display and a permanent fixture at the Co-Cathedral of St John in central Valetta. Photo Nr 2 below is a shot of the church interior. The entire church is incredibly ornate.

One of the old city gates.

Valetta Harbour.

The Building known as Victory Kitchen fed thousands of hungry Maltese during WW2, when the city authorities had already signed their surrender to the Germans, but survived thanks to supplies from British ships which limped into the harbour, still under fire from German planes. Many ships were lost en route.

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Flags are out in abundance during Spring religious festivals. MB believes the below flags honour St Martin, but he stands to be corrected.

Traditional Maltese bread made in a traditional Maltese oven (2nd pic below), which is some 5m deep. The eight-sided Maltese Cross which features on the below oven and on the national flag represents the eight obligations or aspirations of the Knights – namely “to live in truth, have faith, repent one’s sins, give proof of humility, love justice, be merciful, be sincere and whole­hearted, and to endure persecution”.

Famous Pub in Valetta called The Pub. It’s most famous claim to fame is that it’s the pub in which famous British actor, hell-raiser and alcoholic Oliver Reed drank himself to death. The bar owner informed MB and his food tour colleagues that Reed consumed some 34 alcoholic beverages on that fateful day, depicted on the below t-shirt which is for sale in the pub. Reed died during a break in filming the movie Gladiator, leaving many important scenes in difficulty. His head was later computer-generated onto an actor double to complete the scenes. 

Salmon rarely meet a happy ending!

The pies on the right are the famous Maltese go-to fast food called pastizzi. They are made from filo pastry and have one of three fillings – cheese, chicken or peas.