Italy Trip - 14, Malta

Hi, Malta was the fourth stop on our cruise.

Entering the harbor at Valletta was very impressive with the combination of old fortifications and old buildings (above and three below).

We docked next to a row of colorfully decorated buildings.

A long ramp lead from the port up to the main part of town.

Our day in Malta was spent riding another hop on hop off bus around the island. Given our short stay we elected to stay on the bus.

 Immediately upon climbing the ramp we passed the independence monument at the entrance to Maglio Gardens.

In the towns the buildings were ornately decorated (above and below) and

many had balconies (above and below). The streets were very narrow.

The Church of St. Mary in Mosta is known locally as the Miracle Church. During World War II two German bombs fell on the church with 250 parishioners inside attending mass. Neither bomb exploded.

Mdina, as seen from our bus, is a walled city and was the capital of Malta up until about 1530.

Another church we passed was the Ave Regina Caelorum.

A number of coastal towns had modern apartment buildings and hotels (above and below).

The Porte de Bombes, located in Floriana was once was a gate through the town's outer wall and had a single arch. The second arch was added in 1868.

Next up was the War Memorial and then

this fountain.

We had time before dinner to take some photos from our balcony (above and three below).

Thanks for looking.