Malta
We got in very late to Malta. Had to make do with a dinner of junk food from the hotel shop and a quick sleep.
Early the next morning our first stop was San Pawl Milqi. This is a small village associated with a church and a Roman agricultural villa that dates from the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD. It is very near St Paul’s Bay, the bay that most fits the description of Paul’s shipwreck in acts. This villa, which has had a church on it for centuries (the current church dates to modern times, 17th century), is associated with the son of Publius. Tradition places this as the home of the “first man of the island” from the Acts account. We were able to get into the little church and into the basement to see remains of the agricultural villa.
Then we went out to the WWII battery at the end of a point on St Paul’s Bay. There is a good view of the bay and of an island that has a large statue to St. Paul. The day was sunny and calm at this point - perfect for the drone.
We spent some time in Rabat and the walled city of Mdina seeing St Paul’s catacombs. We also saw the grotto under the cathedral that is supposedly the place where Paul stayed and taught while on the island. Nearby is an example of the perplexing Malta cart ruts and an old Roman bath, so we hiked around that area a bit - completely baffling our poor driver.
One of the megalithic Maltese temples was on our list, Hagar Qim. Our driver then took us to St. John’s co Cathedral in Valletta and left us there for the day - probably much to his relief! The cathedral is a pretty stunning example of baroque style architecture and decor. Visually overwhelming and hard to take it all in!
Finally, on the way back to our hotel we walked around a little church on St Paul’s Bay dedicated to the shipwreck. The church has exterior bronze medallions on the walls that tell the story of Paul’s time on Malta.
A 3:15am cab to the airport tomorrow to start our time on Crete - is it really a vacation if you have to get up at 2:30 am - take and care and God Bless, PB & Margery, Scott and Shelly
San Pawl Milqi, Malta. A church built on a 1st century Roman villa near St Paul’s Bay. The property is associated with the son of Publius
