Street lights in Valletta
Posts Tagged: valletta
14
Sep 08
Siege of Malta – 1565
The Siege of Malta (also known as the Great Siege of Malta) took place in 1565 when the Ottoman Empire invaded the island, then held by the Knights Hospitaller (also known as the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta, Knights of Malta, Knights of Rhodes, and Chevaliers of Malta)
The siege, one of the bloodiest and most fiercely contested in history, was won by the knights and became one of the most celebrated events of the sixteenth century. Voltaire may have exaggerated when he said, “Nothing is more well known than the siege of Malta,” but it unquestionably put an end to the European perception of Ottoman invincibility and marked a new phase in Spanish domination of the Mediterranean. Nevertheless, the siege should not be viewed in isolation. Rather, it was the climax of an escalating contest between a Christian alliance and Ottoman empires for control of the Mediterranean, a contest that included a previous attack on Malta in 1551 by the Turkish corsair Turgut Reis and which in 1560 had resulted in the utter destruction of an allied Christian fleet by the Turks at the battle of Djerba.
7
Jul 07
A few snaps of San Gorg celebrations in Valletta
I’ve been wanting to post these few pictures I took as I was passing by Republic Street in Valletta for a few weeks now… The pics below are part of the co-celebrations of the new Maltese appointed saint Dun Gorg (now ‘San’ as in Saint). The pictures show the procession to St John’s Co Catherdral….
6
Apr 07
Maundy Thursday in Valletta
Roaming the roads in Valletta on Maundy (holy) thursday at night, with friend-photographer Brian Grech.
4
Apr 07
Slow life
Just a short walk and you reach Marsamxett. A small ferryboat awaits. This is just below Valletta bastions few minutes away from Maison La vallette. Small coffee shops surround the area and colourful Maltese boats are safely positioned on the ramps. Across just ten minutes away by ferry is Sliema with its ever changing skyline of new hotels and apartments – a sure contrast to the Old City a baroque jewel of world heritage stature.
Two Twenty-Two is the place to stop and refresh yourself. It must have been a deposit centre back when the Knights of Malta were sovereign rulers. It is now a hip place; clean and minimalist. The view from the terrace is of St. Patrick’s church which dominates the skyline. There is a wonderful selection of wines and a good menu to please the most discerning.
These are the elements of a truly slow life. Maltese horse-driven carriages await just below. A slow tour follows the same route Maltese Damas used to take to arrive at St. John’ Co-Cathedral, the conventual church of the Order of the Knights. Here it is impossible to not stop and view the Great Caravaggio’s Masterpiece – The Beheading of St. John the Baptist. It is Caravaggio’s most extraordinary creation. A huge canvas, the largest he ever painted. Still in its original location. Slow life is wonderful…. sit and enjoy….
28
Mar 07
The Quest
I sincerely believe that every place tells a story…… It is like finding a sheet of paper, all dusty and thorn with just a few words left visible and a signature identifying the person. I believe that every person leaves his or her mark as indelible as it may be. A piece of paper, the colours of the walls or some small object left hidden in forgotten places. This is the quest of Maison La Vallette, the search of the tenant who made this space a special place in their heart.