Malta



Entrance

Visiting ships are greeted by fortifications. Malta has taken emphasis on defending itself, it's a fortress on an island.

Fortifications


Grand harbor

The cannons above Grand harbor fire a salute every noon. The balls are decoration only, and incoming ships are save.

Saluting battery Ship


Saluting Battery

The terrace with the saluting battery, from where one has a great view across Grand harbor.

Saluting battery Upper Baracca Gardens


Harbor

A part of Grand harbor called Parlatorio Wharf, where HMS Ilustrious was repeatedly attacked after having been damaged by German dive bombers on its way to Malta.

Grand Harbour


Senglea Point

One of the ridges reaching into Grand harbor, directly opposite to the viewing point above the saluting battery.

Bell

The holed bell of Illustrious inside the National War Museum in St Elmo Fort.
Ship in Dockyard Creek Bell of Illustrious


Thick walls

To see all fortifications on Malta is a task. These walls belong to the St Michael Bastion.

Fort Saint Elmo

This particular fortress is host to the Malta War Museum. This picture shows the entrance over a ditch from Valetta's side.
St Michael's Bastion Fort St Elmo


Victoria Gate

A fortress needs gates, and this is one of them.

Victoria Gate Victoria Gate


Fort Manoel

Finished in 1733 to protect the western approaches of Valletta.

Valletta

A view across the city with the Carmelite Church on the right and St Paul's Anglican Cathedral on the left.
Fort Manoel City


Lower Barracca Gardens

Mediterranean Street
Lower Barracca Gardens Mediterranean Street


Statues

Watch out, or get a beating!

Statue Statue


Republic Street

Triton Fountain
Republic Street Triton Fountain


St John's Cathedral

Grandmaster's Palace
St John's Cathedral Grandmaster's Palace


Grandmaster's Palace

Mint Street
Grandmaster's Palace Mint Street


Mdina

The old city of Mdina is surrounded by yet another set of walls, here with restauration work in progress.

Mdina fortress Mdina


Mdina


Mdina Mdina


Dingli Cliffs

Statue in Dingli
Dingli Cliffs Statue in Dingli


Mgarr Harbor

Located on the second largest island Gozo.

Ferry

The Gozo Channel Line links Malta with Gozo.
Mgarr Harbor Gozo ferry


Victoria

In the center of Gozo, the city of Victoria of course has a citadel, crumbling away in some places.

Wall

It shouldn't pose fundamental problems to rebuild it, if anyone cares.
Citadel in Victoria Citadel in Victoria


Cittadella

In other places the castle looks solid, with some real cannons thrown in.

Citadel in Victoria Cannon


Ice

Icecream goes well near the popular Dwejra Point.

Church

God's presence is everywhere, also at the tip of Gozo. It didn't save the Azure Window.
icecream at Dwejra Point Santa Anna church


Azure Window

On March 8 2017 the pillar broke down during a storm. It's gone.

Dwejra Point


Rock

The view to the left from the Azure Window shows Fungus Rock and high cliffs.

Window

A look through the window. Tourists were offered a ride in small boats.
Fungus Rock Azure Window


Forbidden

Walking across the arch was not allowed, but people ignored this. If they had only known... Luckily, nobody died during the disaster, perhaps because of the adverse weather conditions at that time. The photograph below shows two boats, where there is only one: The photo was stitched from several images, and the boat appears twice on the final version.

Azure Window



Azure Window


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