Valletta

A day out in Valletta today with lovely weather and again, we set off early and avoided the crowds.

We walked around the waterfront, and reached a huge memorial to the siege of the island in second world war.

Opposite was a gorgeous garden.

Then we decided to learn more about the history of the island. It was invaded many times over the last 5,000 years and a highlight was in 1574 and the Knights of St John who built the biggest hospital in Europe. This seems very surprising for an island that is smaller than the Isle of Wight, and I never got to find out the reason why.

It was incredibly impressive and also, mostly built underground.

This floor was used for rich patients and they had a bed each and their own toilet in the little arches. On the floor below were the poorer patients and they slept four to each bed.

Later we had very tasty and reasonably priced cocktails on the harbour front near this floral boat.