July 27 - Valletta

 July 27 - Valletta

Today a ferry ride across the water and then have a wander around the ‘Three Cities’, that was the plan anyway! 


The ferry bit worked ok but once we got dropped off in Birgu it didn’t take long before we realised that the plan wasn’t going to plan!. 


We started off by having a walk/ scramble along the rocks at the base of Fort Angelo. This was looking like an ideal spot to go for a swim, and with plenty of shade in the early morning we were sorely tempted.  Ultimately though we decided it could wait and we’d be back another day.  One other benefit of the spot though is the view back to Valletta, it’s pretty ‘speccy’. 

Next up was a visit to Fort Angelo itself.  This well preserved fort has been described as ‘The jewel in the crown of Malta’s rich military heritage’ and it sits at the end of Birgu’s promontory in the centre of the Grand Harbour.  Originally built in the 13th Century as a castle it was then rebuilt by the Knights of Saint John in the 1500’s and called Fort St Angelo.  Further reconstruction then took place in the 1690s, giving the fort its current appearance, and again post WWII after having direct hits from 69 German bombs!  Today, after much restoration work, it’s in magnificent condition and we spent several hours checking out the fantastic exhibits, the excellent audio visual presentations, and the great views from the bastion walls. 

The ‘Grandmaster’s’ quarters (on top of the fort). 
Probably not the best place to be during the German bombing! 😆
Views from Fort St Angelo

One downside though of having been out in the sun for so long was that it finally took its toll (again! 🥵 😊) and so the Three Cities ‘wander’ got postponed for another day!



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