The two harbors in central Malta are really something unique. The Grand Harbor is the deepest harbor in the Mediterranean. This has made it a strategic harbor for ships from the dawn of time to the present. Large cruise ships can pull right into the harbor and dock up on the edge of Valetta. We got on the Grand Harbor and three on the Marsamxett. It was a beautiful day for a boat ride, bright and sunny! We cruised all through the two harbors and saw all the walls and forts. We listened to the historical narrative and many interesting bits of information were shared. For instance Dock #4, known locally as the Chinese dock is so big that a cruise boat can pull into the harbor and right into the dry dock. This was the same area where the British Aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious was attacked and received multiple hits. A true tour through history.
Awaiting push-off
Sharing the harbor with a three master
The last fort built by the Knights of St. John
Riding high
Valetta from the water's edge
Built in the 1560's to protect the harbor access, Valetta is situated between Grand Harbor and Marsamxett Harbor
Stone walkway between forts
Making the turn at the end of Marsamxett Harbor
The Maltese armed forces have a maritime division
Errol Flynn once owned this boat, the Black Pearl
Hey kayak man!
This is the largest Anglican Church on the island
Heading out of Marsamxett Harbor and into the Grand Harbor
Our ship is small enough to take the short cut
Old iron remnant
The battlements on Fort Ricasoli, the easternmost fortifications
Two lighthouses define the channel into the harbor
Green and red
On the South side of Valetta we find the "Boom Defense" or so the sign says
The opening between the lighthouses is quite large
The fortifications are a combination of natural rock cliffs and limestone walls
The lower gardens
Nice neighborhood over on the south side
Many construction projects make use of old structures and then build new ones to suit the needs
Another fortified town
This is the waterfront of Valetta by the old customs house
Victoria Gate and red accents
The upper Gardens
We think this is an elevator but we have not used it yet
Proud yellow and red
Swanky
Now we are sailing with the big boys
This cruise boat is still pretty big
A giraffe crane
Loading this ship from the stern
Another Maltese naval vessel
With a blue reindeer on it?
A tri-hull ferry
Lots of space
To skip over the waves
A very stubby bow of this ship
Birgu one of the three fortified cities
A very large drydock, this ship is not floating
All the lifeboats from the cruise ship in drydock
A covered dry dock for the mega yachts
A watch tower at Fort St. Angelo
Fort Ricasoli
Bridges and bridges
A lovely descending portico
A fine clocktower
Colorful garage doors
Big ship little boat
The shortcut into the Grand Harbor
Red for stop green for go
A window into another time
These walls are very tall
A science center
The first electric elevator was in this tower. It was used to lift patients up to the hospital.
This cliff saved lots of work on the building of the wall
Love this ornate gate
A large star shaped fort
Heading back to the start
Valetta
Walking through Sliema
Scuba!
Watch out for the currents
