Slip Number 7

We returned to Valletta this morning via the ferry. The steep uphill walk to the city centre didn't seem so bad this time as we're well used to hills and steps by now.
Our first stop was the Grand Master's Palace, built between 1573 - 1578. Today it is the office of the president but for over 200 years it was home to the Grand Master, the supreme head of the Order of the Knights of St John.
Parts of the Palace are still undergoing renovation but there is plenty for visitors to see.
The rooms are huge and very grand. The ceilings and walls are richly decorated, showing moments in the history of the Order of St John, paintings depicting the Great Siege of 1565, and portraits of the Grand Master's and past presidents etc.
The Armoury has an enormous display of weaponry and armour. The most impressive suit of armour was made for Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt in the early 1600's covered in gold and silver inlaid patterns.
Later I selflessly agreed to accompany Syd on a visit to the Lascaris War Rooms. It's underground so you have to negotiate God knows how many steep steps to reach it, then walk through a dark tunnel to the entrance. However it was worth a visit.
Wartime atmosphere is recreated with models and equipment in the rooms that were once the nerve centre for military operations during WWII. General Eisenhower and Field Marshall Montgomery were among the Allied commanders based here.
The shorter exit involving far fewer steps led us out to the bus station. Feeling hot and sore footed by then, we opted for a bus ride back to Sliema rather than walk all the way back to the ferry. There were so many buses, but eventually we found the right one, a number 21, kindly assisted by a local lady travelling the same route.Read more