Valletta, Three Cities and Medina 12 and 13 June 26

 Hi all, 

Yesterday we travelled only a short boat ride over to the opposite shore of Valletta to the three cities. The ferries are the traditional gondola, with outboards these days!


The three cities are all within walking distance and are the original 16th Century “suburbs” of Valletta, outside the protection of the city walls. Of course, they have plenty of churches!


And the streets are almost untouched since for 500 years. The window boxes are a particular feature of the area.


This Norman house is reputed to be the oldest in the city, circa 1550.

There are plenty of reminders of the constant threat of invasion that this city faced over the centuries.


After a very pleasant visit we took the 3 Euro ride back to Valletta, through a fair bit of maritime “real Estate”.


Today we took the local bus 40 minutes into the island interior to the original Malta capital of Mdina. It is a very well preserved hill top city almost unchanged since the 1500s.





Including its own Cathedral of course, which predates the St John’s in Valletta.


Just outside the city walls, Normie was thrilled to discover the ruins of a 1st Century BCE Roman villa, which had been discovered in the late 1800s, and preserved by the family who had planned to build a house there.

Norm strikes a pose beside the statue of Emperor Claudius!


After a brilliant couple of days, we had earned a refreshment back at our street in Valletta, with our favourite Malta Rose.

All our love for now, from the travellers 🧳🥘❤️🍷🏰


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