Malta and Gozo

On the ferry from Bormla/ Cospicua to Valletta: left L'Isla/Senglea with Sheer Bastion and right Birgu/ Vittoriosa with the Maritime Museum. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Cities_(Malta) Die Drei Städte (auch Cottonera genannt) liegen gegenüber Maltas Hauptstadt Valletta am Grand Harbour. Birgu/ Vittoriosa ist seit Zeiten der Phönizier besiedelt, von 1530 -1571 war es die erste Hauptstadt der Johanniter. Senglea wurde nach 1551 auf der Halbinsel gegenüber gegründet. Bormla ist ebenfalls phönizischen Ursprungs. Bormla Waterfront

St. Lawrence Church in Vittoriosa (Birgu) is one of Malta's important churches. From 1530-1571 when the Knights first settled in Malta it served as the Order of St. John's conventual church . en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collegiate_Church_of_Saint_Lawrence,_Vittoriosa In the note: Misraħ ir-Rebħa (Victory Square) in the old city of Vittoriosa (Birgu). On Palm Sunday there were a lot of ecclesiastical flags flying.

Birgu, also called Vittoriosa, is one of the so called 3 Cities on the south side of Grand Harbour. Before Valletta was built Birgu was the base of the knights. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birgu Birgu, auch Vittoriosa genannt, ist eine der 3 alten Städte auf der Südseite des Grand Harbour. Vor dem Bau von Valletta war Birgu der Sitz des Johanniter-Ritterordens. www.come2-malta.com/maltas-highlights/vittoriosa-birgu

Birgu (Vittoriosa) was capital of Malta from 1532-1571. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birgu de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vittoriosa

Seen on a wall in the old town of Birgu (some more letters in the inset photo)

Eroded limestone below Fort St. Michael, Senglea

The Vedette (watch tower) is part of Fort St. Michael at Senglea and overlooks Grand Harbour and Valletta. The half reliefs of a pair of eyes and ears signify vigilance.

Valletta seen over Grand Harbour from the Vedette, Senglea The walled city of Valletta is a World Heritage site since 1980: whc.unesco.org/en/list/131

Facade detail of Renzo Piano's Parliament House which imitates the honeycomb weathering of Globigerina limestone. Inset a mono version and a photo of "original" honeycomb weathering. www.designboom.com/architecture/renzo-piano-valletta-city-gate-malta-05-20-2015 Fassadendetail an Renzo Pianos Neubau des maltesischen Parlamentsgebäudes, das die Wabenverwitterung in Globigerinenkalkstein nachempfindet. Im PiP eine sw-Version sowie Wabenverwitterung im Original.

Malta's new Parliament House was designed by Renzo Piano and opened in 2015. The facade is of local Globigerina limestone and imitates the typical honeycomb weathering. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_House_(Malta) Maltas neues, 2015 eröffnetes Parlamentsgebäude wurde von Renzo Piano entworfen. Die Fassade ist aus Globigerinenkalkstein und imitiert die typische Wabenverwitterung, die man überall auf Malta sehen kann. www.nzz.ch/feuilleton/schauplatz/renzo-pianos-city-gate-projekt-veraendert-valletta-aufbruch-im-mittelmeer-ld.17867

thelink.berlin/2016/06/renzo-piano-valletta-citygate-parliament-architecture-project www.architectural-review.com/today/parliament-building-in-valletta-malta-by-renzo-piano-building-workshop/8687394.article

Renzo Piano's new Parliament building and 16th century St. James Cavalier seen from the ruins of the old Opera House. Colour version in the note Renzo Pianos neues Parlamentsgebäude und das Bastionsbauwerk St. James Cavalier von den Ruinen des alten Opernhauses aus gesehen. Farbversion im PiP

Built in 1661 by Italian knight Fra Flaminio Balbiani on St. Peter & Paul Bastion the gardens were created for the Italian knights. In 1800 they were opened to the public. Erbaut 1661 von Fra Flaminio Balbiani auf der Bastion St.Peter & Paul, waren die Gärten ursprünglich zur Erholung der italienischen Ritter bestimmmt. Seit 1800 sind die Gärten der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Barrakka_Gardens whc.unesco.org/en/list/131

Looking east towards the entrance of Grand Harbour, Lower Barrakka Gardens to the left and Fort Ricasoli to the right.

That famous view from Upper Barrakka Gardens - City of Valletta, Grand Harbour and Fort Ricasoli whc.unesco.org/en/list/131

whc.unesco.org/en/list/131

Teatru Manoel was commisioned by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena (see 1st inset) in 1731 and opened in 1732. The auditorium in its present shape is 19th century. Teatru Manoel is one of the oldest working theatres worldwide and a grade 1 listed building. www.teatrumanoel.com.mt/?m=content&id=135 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manoel_Theatre Teatru Manoel ist eines der ältesten Theater weltweit, die heute noch bespielt werden. Erbaut 1731 unter Großmeister Manoel de Vilhena, wurde das Theater im 19. Jh mehrfach umgebaut und auf heute 623 Sitzplätze erweitert .

The Sunday Challenge (TSC): TWIST The chapel of the Langue of Auvergne in St.John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta, is dedicated to St Sebastian. The 17th century altar painting is attributed to Lucas Garnier, the reredos with its spiral columns is probably one of the earliest installed in the church in the late 16th century.