It is unfortunate that I am unable to share all my photo memories of our Malta adventure so I leave you with these final glimpses from our holiday.

I captured some lovely moments walking around Valletta; a lizard playing hide and seek with me in the upper Barraka Gardens, hidden gems of history, birds with their aerobatics around Triton’s fountain, harbour views, fortifications and the gaudy interior of St John’s Co-Cathedral. And, perhaps, I shouldn’t mention the indulgent Pistachio Wonder for lunch in the Haagen-Dazs Cafe.

My biggest regret is being unable to share the wonders of Gozo; The views, the saltpans, Fontana’s wash house, Ta’ Pinu Basilica (the miracle church), the Citadella along with the amazing views over the island of Gozo.

Those memories along with others will remain as ‘a memory’ for me until (maybe?) the next time I visit Malta…

The Mdina Cathedral Museum is housed within a magnificent baroque building, on the right-hand side of the Cathedral, in Archbishop’s Square. This imposing edifice was built by Bishop Alpheran de Bussan, with the first stone being laid in 1733. This building was to serve as the seminary for the Diocese of Malta.

There are many beautiful and interesting exhibits within the museum. I share only a few photographs of items that I could photograph easily.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Paul (Maltese: Il-Katidral Metropolitan ta’ San Pawl), commonly known as St Paul’s Cathedral or the Mdina Cathedral, is a Catholic cathedral in Mdina, Malta, dedicated to St. Paul the Apostle. The cathedral was founded in the 12th century, and according to tradition it stands on the site of where Roman governor Publius met St. Paul following his shipwreck on Malta. The original cathedral was severely damaged in the 1693 Sicily earthquake, so it was dismantled and rebuilt in the Baroque style to a design of the Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafà between 1696 and 1705. The cathedral is regarded as Gafà’s masterpiece.

The cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Malta, and since the 19th century this function has been shared with St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta.

Overnight I came out with a cold which I am sure is why I was feeling out of sorts the previous day. Thankfully my runny nose had settled down before breakfast.

We caught a bus to Rabat where we visited the Wignacourt Museum which is linked to St Paul’s Grotto, the cradle of Christianity in Malta. The underground level of the museum consists of a labyrinth of Punic, Roman and Christian Hypogea as well as WWII shelters. It was a fascinating experience.

When we had finished our visit to the museum it was time for lunch, which we had in the nearby Grotto Tavern. Amongst other things on the menu there was a ‘snack box’ heading. I opted for the cheese snack box which turned out to be cheese on toasted ciabatta, served with a sauce and in a cardboard box. Also, on offer was freshly made lemonade; how could I resist?

After lunch we had hoped to visit the Basilica of St Paul but it looked closed and under refurbishment so we walked the short distance to Mdina. Mdina’s city walls are an impressive site to see.

Once inside the walls, we visited St Paul’s Cathedral and museum then wandered around the narrow streets within the city walls.

We retraced our steps back to the bus station in Rabat to catch a bus back to Valletta where we enjoyed a cup of tea on our balcony over looking the small harbour in front of our window.

We dined in Ta’ Nadia. The portion size was enormous which left me overfaced by my meal choice. We had a nightcap in our usual bar, which was open again, before returning to our hotel to retire for the evening.

Horace Kephart