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More Baroque Splendor
Mar. 8th, 2026 02:09 pmMore Baroque Splendor
I got more sleep last night, but I feel more tired. I'll get the start of a bike race this afternoon. At home they come on early in the morning.
So I assumed that the patron saint of the Island of Malta was St. John the Baptist. I assumed wrong. The real patron saint of the island was a man who actually made it here--although his visit may have been accidental.
The Apostle Paul traveled a lot mostly in Western Asia and Greece converting people to Christianity and founding churches left, right, and center. His activities attracted the attention of the Roman authorities, and he was imprisoned more than once. Finally, as apparently he was a Roman Citizen, he appealed to Caesar, so he was sent by ship to Rome.
On the way the ship he was on was wrecked in a storm, and Paul and his fellow passengers swam for their lives reaching the north coast of the island. Several sites are traditionally associated with Paul including a cave where he took shelter and preached from. One story is that he build a fire to comfort his fellow wreckies when he was bitten by a poisonous viper. But he was not affected by the venom, which impressed the on lookers and gave credence to his message.
The church I visited today, commemorates the shipwreck and Paul's stay on Malta. I mostly had the place to myself as I tend to go out early. The decoration is gorgeous and the nave is well provided with frescoes, marble, gilt, and statuary. The visitor does not have to pay to get in, but it is polite to leave a small offering.
Then I went back to the grocery store because I had plans to do something Maltese to celebrate the bike race. I'll keep you in suspense for a little while.
I did some wandering around before visiting the church because Valletta is just fun to stroll in, except for the stairs. I accept their existence. I don't like using them. I paid attention to the many touristy shops along the main drags in the historic center. I didn't see anything apart from the usual offerings, which I suspect are mass produced and then customized for each location.
The Maltese love a native soft drink called Kimmie. I witnessed one of my fellow passengers--a native of Malta--lunging towards a store selling the stuff when we landed. It's there version of coke, but it's not cola. I'm tasting it. It's vaguely fruity and sort of herbal. I like it straight, but I'm going to add some Prosecco to make a spritz. That's very nice, too and properly celebratory of the bike race.
Bye for now
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About Me
- pilgrimsoul
- I am a retired history teacher with a strong interest in art as well. While I am not a very adventurous eater, I will gladly try some of the local specialites.
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