Valletta & Vittoriosa - Malta

Walled cities have always held a universal fascination. I grew up within a stone's throw from two such cities. Both Vittoriosa and Valletta, the two Vs, have a strong link to the Order of St John. The World Heritage City of Valletta, soon to be the European Capital of Culture, came about as a result of a victorious war fought from behind the walls of Vittoriosa. Their stories of Knights and Grandmasters, their auberges and palaces intrigue me, as they do visitors and residents alike.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Feast of St Joseph

Returned to Rabat this evening to join my friend Antonio on the occasion of the feast of St Joseph. We watched the statue of the saint be carried out of the church to the sound of shouts from an enthusiastic bunch and the deafening fireworks. We then fought our way through the crowd and into the church where Grandmaster Isle Adam insisted his heart be buried. It is indeed a beautiful church, even more splendid on this occasion when all the best bits are shown off to the faithful (and to infidels such as I).

1 comment:

Unknown9:35 pm
Rabat is a 30 minute bus journey from Valletta (bus number 80)
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