February, 2008

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20
Feb 08

Springtime in Valletta


“Because early spring is just about the best time to be in the Maltese micro-capital…. Time your visit for the ‘shoulder’ season and you’ll get plenty of sunshine without contending with the crowds.”
Matthew Teller, The Observer

Valletta is dotted with small wonderful gardens, beautiful baroque architecture, museums and galleries. One of the best kept gardens is at The Upper Barracca. This is the best time of year to enjoy the sun from this wonderful Belveder. This is undoubtedly the best view of the Grand Harbour. There is of course the Lower Barracca with the beautiful Neo-Classical monument dedicated to Sir Alexander Ball, not to mention the larger than life bronze statue of Eneas. There are other smaller gardens in Valletta. Walking along the Mall you can get to Argotti gardens which feature rare trees, fountains and beautiful views. Just a few meters away is the secluded Milordi garden which has a scenic point with views of Sanmaison creek that will.

For a taste of romantic art, visit the national gallery of fine arts which houses numerous masterpieces; not to mention St John’s Co cathedral where you can discover Caravaggio’s largest painting in its original setting. There are renowned Maltese restaurants, great coffee, tea rooms, shopping and boutique wines cellars to enjoy.

Try our ‘Bella Primavera’ offer which will make your stay in Valletta memorable.
Maison La Vallette, self contained luxury in the heart of Valletta – a world heritage site.
We hope to see you soon.

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8
Feb 08

St Paul’s Feast in Valletta


It is 1045 years since St Paul’s visit to Malta, and the majority of Maltese still celebrate his feast which is traditionally held on the 10th of February to mark the day.

The apex of celebrations will be held at St. Paul’s Church in Valletta on Thursday at 0900CET. A further mass in English will be held at 1545CET. The procession with the statue of the saint will leave the church at 1730CET. It will pass through St Paul Street, Republic Street, St John’s Street, Merchants Street, Melita Street and return to St Paul Street in order to re-renter the church. There will be two fireworks displays at the beginning and end of the procession, close to the Central Bank in Valletta.
The Church of St Paul Shipwrecked, has a sumptuous interior containing a fine altar-piece depicting the shipwreck by Paladini (1544-1614). As befits a building dedicated to one of Malta’s patron saints, it is lavish, and it houses some venerated possessions. The plan is a Latin Cross, the dome elliptical and the floor tessellated. The wooden gilded statue of St Paul is by Melchiorre Gafa and is solemnly carried through the streets on February 10 every year, the day St Paul’s shipwreck is commemorated.

Gafa’s brother Lorenzo designed the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in 1680 and de Favray painted the altarpiece. The ceiling frescoes depict St Paul’s brief sojourn in Malta and were painted at the turn of the century, while the main altarpiece of St Paul and St Luke is from the late 16th century and by the Florentine, Filippo Paladini.

Donated to the church by Pope Pius VII in 1818 and most treasured of all, is part of the block upon which St Paul was said to have been beheaded, as well as what is believed to be part of his wristbone.

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4
Feb 08

Valletta Carnival 2008 (photos)

Check out the link below for a selection of fun images from this year’s Carnival activities in Floriana and Valletta.