Exploring Malta - Day 2

After thwarting the Ottomans in 1565 known as the Great Siege of Malta, Jean Parisot de Valette decided to build a new capital, now known as Valletta. The Knights of St. John arrived in Malta in 1530 after being expelled by the Ottomans from Rhodes. The knights were granted Malta by the Holy Roman Emperor in exchange for one Maltese Falcon to be given annually to the viceroy of Sicily. The knights helped commission a new cathedral in Valletta, St. John’s Co-Cathedral, named a co-cathedral along with the cathedral in the former capital of Mdina.

This cathedral is quite ordinary from the outside, but unbelievably ornate on the inside. The type of place that has to be seen to be believed. The tombs of knights are found on the floor under elaborate marble.

The painting depicting The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist by Caravaggio is the most famous work in the church. Considered one of Caravaggio's masterpieces, the largest canvas he painted and the only painting signed by the painter. He signed it within the blood of St. John. The painting is very simple but incredibly realistic.

After visiting the Co-Cathedral we went to the Lascaris War rooms. If you were asked what country was bombed the most during WWII would you say Malta? It was indeed Malta, as the Italians and Germans relentlessly bombed it, and it was bombed every day, save one, for three years from 1940-1942.

The island was so important to the Allies and almost fell on one occasion as supplies were dangerously low, the island was two weeks away from surrendering. Churchill said no, we cannot lose Malta, as it was too strategic being halfway between Gibraltar and Alexandria. A large convoy of supplies was sent to the island and just five ships made it through the relentless Axis submarines and air attacks.

Later, these war rooms would host Eisenhower as he and the Allies prepared for Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily.

Also, Valletta gets the most sun out of anywhere in Europe.