Sitka, Alaska: once the Paris of the Pacific

Momentous events that shaped Sitka

Originally a native Tlingit settlement, Sitka became a battleground when Russia fought to establish it as the capital of Russian America. In a strategic move, the Tlingit people escaped the conflict by relocating elsewhere. They gradually returned only after Russia sold Alaska to the United States, leaving modern Sitka with a rich, unique blend of cultures. In 1907 it lost its title of capital to Juneau. 

From the commercial port it is but a stone’s throw to Castle Hill where the

indigenous displacement, imperial transition, and the geopolitical reshaping of North America took place. 

Beginning with the better informed!

A huge, orange sign outside a sizable building we first come across turns out to be one of the best places to visit when you are exploring a city. It is the Sitka Public Library! The staff of a public is generally always  convivial and will usually engage you if they are not too busy. But it is still early and we will  visit a little later in the day not only to strike up a conversation but also to avail ourselves of the wi-fi!

Another sign board that catches our attention is that of The Sitka Sentinel. It appears that this is an independent, family-owned newspaper  founded 1940. It is not surprising then that it publishes only on weekdays. 

A maritime landscape and authenticity

Our path leads us into the Sitka Sea Walk, a coastal park with ample benches, picnic shelters, vibrant sports fields, and a lively playground—all framed by the sweeping, panoramic views of Crescent Harbor. The boats are busy. The wooden piers and their reflections add to the drama. The park’s largest shelter has a traditional secret: it is a working sanctuary where fishermen weave and repair their nets, doubling as a grand community event space that honors Sitka's deep Tlingit and maritime heritage. The majestic harbour is,  without a doubt, the heartbeat of the seafaring community of Sitka.

Wandering towards the ‘ laundry’

The side streets lead us to more historic  buildings. We are in the vicinity of  the Sheldon Jackson Campus,  which was founded in 1878 and is the oldest institution of higher learning in Alaska. One of the notable structures is called the Laundry Building. In those times the building played a crucial  role in supporting the daily operations of the school and college. 

Russian Blockhouse, Sitka

A few minutes away a strange looking structure looms up above us reminding us of the landscape of Eastern Europe. What we are looking at is but a replica of a garrison, part of walled fortifications that demarcated the boundary between the area in Russia's control and the Tlingit village. Originally, it was a capital D-shaped five-sided structure. The reconstructed one is octagonal. The ruins of a small square blockhouse stands  right below.  

Should we be spooked?

A little further it gets lonely. Guess what?. We have stumbled upon a mossy area, dappled by daylight piercing through the trees. It's rather quiet and quite eerie especially when we detect tombstones that have withstood the test of time in spite of the ravages of natural phenomena.

This is the 200 year old Russian Cemetery. We find out that there is still the occasional burial of a Russian Orthodox Christian.

As we leave via another path along a swamp I am intrigued by the vibrant yellow flowers that are flute-like and thick petaled on a sturdy stem. My later research shows me that these are called Western Skunk Cabbage. They are also known as swamp lanterns ( another aspect of the eerie). Their skunk-like odor when in bloom attracts flies and other insect pollinators.it  reminds me of the corpse flower.

Swan Lake: the ice story

Now, just before us lies a small, calm lake. It is actually man-made. The reason is fascinating.  During  the Russian occupation of Alaska they needed an income source during the winter.  From here the Russians would export ice to southern communities in the Pacific Northwest!  Swan Lake now is home to various kinds of trout and other fish. The small dock serves anglers.

Back to the city centre. 

The lake being in the centre of the city we are returning to the sea walk from where we'll explore the city itself. We're back at Crescent Bay across which is the Russian Bishop’s House.The Totem Square with its grassy open area draws us towards it. The colourful totem pole that dominates has the carving of a double headed eagle symbolic of Sitka's Tlingit-Russian heritage. 

A Rose Gallery?

Yes, it is a historic building – a beautiful Victorian Home which has little to do directly with roses. It is an art gallery and gift shop displaying the works of over 100 Alaskan artists.

The Pioneers home

Also bordering the square is the huge Pioneers home originally quarters for the US marines stationed here in log barracks. More buildings came up in subsequent years. Then the barracks were closed and gradually repurposed to house pioneers, and prospectors who needed care. Over the years it has evolved into a  registered home for men and women who need special care. 

Close by is the unassuming St Peters by the Sea with the name referring to its coastal address.

Is that a school?

So says the sign board standing  before a few buildings that seem like individual houses.Pacific High School is known for its  project-based learning and  interdisciplinary study. As educators ourselves, it would have been interesting to meet its teachers

Absolutely Russian

We make our way downtown to St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral, a remarkable landmark that stands as a living testament to Sitka’s rich Russian heritage. As we approach, we are captivated by its unusual beauty. Set against the backdrop of the Alaskan sky, the cathedral's soft blue-grey paint and sharp white trim give it an air of understated elegance.Built in the 19th century, this historic cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1966 and later lovingly rebuilt. 

Our eyes are drawn upward to its striking silhouette, particularly the graceful onion-shaped dome rising above an eight-sided cupola that reflects the beauty of Russian OOrthodox architecture.

Stepping inside, we are transported into a world of reverence and wonder. The cathedral’s interior is adorned with a treasured collection of Russian religious art, including precious icons and fittings that once embellished the original church. Every detail seems to whisper a story of faith, devotion, and generations of worshippers who have gathered here.

Adding to the sense of awe are five display cases containing priceless treasures rescued from the devastating fire. These surviving artifacts offer a poignant connection to the cathedral’s past—a reminder of the beauty that endured even in the face of tremendous loss.

Standing within this extraordinary sanctuary, we feel a deep appreciation for the resilience of the people who preserved it. Once the heart of Russian Alaska’s capital, it remains a powerful symbol of Sitka’s fascinating past, where Russian traditions and Alaskan history intertwine.

Absolutely American

Behind the Cathedral, Close to the bay is the American Legion. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization

Absolutelt Tlingit: The largest ‘shed’

Almost at the cruise centre, along the waterfront is Harrigan Centennial Hall which hosts the Summer Music Festival. Earlier, as we walked the main street we observed food stalls set up in celebration.  The building also houses the Sitka History Museum.  

Winding up: looking up and down

Now it's time to take a look inside the library with its beautiful views of the bay and snow covered mountains. and then return to the cruise terminal to be entertained by a little violinist!

As we sail out we get to see O'Connell Bridge that connects Sitka with Japonski Island. During the Russian colonial period, the island was named after Japanese fishermen marooned there.  During World War II, the U.S. Navy and Army built a seaplane base on the island. 

Mount Edgecombe majestically dominates the scene.

There's more to cater to different interests

For animal lovers there's more to do in and around Sitka. The Sitka National Historical Park has forest trails lined with totem poles. There's also the Raptor Centre that rescues eagles, and Fortress of the Bear, a sanctuary for bears.  Or you could just watch sea lions lounging on rocky shores. 

The nickname, Paris of the Pacific, is Russian in origin, referring to the social life during their reign in the 1800s.

Seward, Alaska: a lesson in geography and history

As we disembark and walk into the huge terminal a surging crowd awaits shore excursions either to  Kenai Fjords National Park to see the glaciers or to Denali National Park or Mount Marathon. Most are looking for adventure or special scenic routes or the historic trails. We only have a few hours in the port and so with a basic map from the tourist desk we set out.  As we walk around and get the lay of the land we might just refer to the map if we believe we are late and have lost our way. We have been warned that the weather is unpredictable and therefore are dressed for it. It seems wiser to avail ourselves of the free tourist shuttle that will take us into the city proper about a mile away with several stops . A main street would be a good place to start and so when we ride through what seems to be a broad street we get off. 

A glimpse into a rich history

Our instincts are right . We are on 4th Avenue which is a mix of historic sites, unique shops and enticing cafes. We also wander into side streets and parallel avenues. Seward is a compact city. Seamlessly we are immersed in history for the unique buildings we come across carry plaques that testify to their legacy. Most of these certified buildings and monuments are located along 4th Avenue, with a few  on 3rd and 5th Avenues.

The Van Gilder Hotel at Adams Street has been a hotel for 110 years. The Brown & Hawkins, the oldest, has been serving as a general store for nearly a century. Fittingly some of the original  fixtures  have been retained while also catering to modern shopping tendencies. The Liberty Theater of the 1940s, was once a beloved movie theater with old Hollywood glamour. After it closed it operated as part of a hotel until it shut its doors for good. 

A few minutes away is a modern apartment building built to withstand the vagaries of the Alaska climate.

The new and vibrant

Within a few minutes we are passing by the town hall and then a very colourful building, our favourite place in ports - the city library. In the days we travelled to Alaska we connected to the Internet at the libraries and for a few minutes caught up with family. The library facade is all mural. It has a garden and a local history museum highlighting Native inhabitants, the 1964 earthquake and tsunami, and regional heritage.Seward rebuilt and preserved its rich heritage after the devastating earthquake. 

Puffin(g) with pride

And then we are at the imposing Alaska SeaLife Center that proudly showcases local marine life. Its colourful mural ‘Return of the Whales’ indicates the centre's mission. For a fee enthusiasts get to walk through the popular puffin and seabird aviary and interactive exhibits as well as learn about rescue work.

A touch of wilderness

As we walk along the Avenue furthest from the shore we come across Two Lake Park. Being aware of our time constraints we do the short trail among the fir trees. We skirt both the First Lake and the Second Lake with the clear waters mirroring everything around them. Birds chirp away. No sign of salmon because it is not the season. No moose either. The small unassuming gentle waterfall adds to the tranquility of it all.

We find ourselves leaving the park at the recreational area which easily leads us back to the Waterfront Park and Small Boat Harbor with hundreds of boats bobbing about as though with wild abandon!

Serendipity 

Breathtaking scenery surrounds us as we make your way to back to the port

What a vibrant town where history and natural beauty blend seamlessly!

A visual celebration

Seward, at that time, had 30 vibrant murals that are very much part of the city's character. Each of these public artworks celebrate the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of the area. The Seward Mural Society, founded in 1999, and local artists work together to present history through art. Seward was officially designated the "Mural Capital of Alaska" in 2008.The citizens are so proud of this recognition that The Mural Society offers a digital map of the locations of all the murals in Seward. My favorite was the 'Wildflower Garden' .

Gateway to Alaska: logistic artery

We plan to visit the  Old Train Depot close to the port, before we call it a day. It doesn't disappoint. Parked on the tracks are antique railroad speeders that take us back to an era when track inspectors and maintenance crew relied on compact motorized cars to navigate rugged mountain routes.. Nearby, a map traces the historical stops of the Alaska Railroad, highlighting the brutal climbs through the Kenai Mountains and honoring the legacy of pioneer "Alaska Nellie" Lawing. The well preserved broad roofed bungalow-style building with clapboard siding, and a deep verandah is historic. 

Before the trains, Seward played a vital role as a gateway to Alaska’s interior. It was the starting point of the historic Iditarod Trail, used by miners and mail carriers. 

Geographically, Seward has an ice-free deep-water harbour that no other Arctic port has. That meant large cargo and cruise ships could dock safely any time.

The Seward city’s  port that is free of the vagaries of winter, and  railway connection snaking through mountainous terrains as well as  the Seward Highway (trucking) providing unrestricted access to the various Alaskan  population hubs fostered economic growth and development.

During World War II, Seward’s location made it an invaluable military staging ground and supply line, a vital logistics artery.

Noteworthy 

As we approach the  cruise terminal we begin to wonder at its shape and size.it is more like an airport hangar. Quite befitting a major hub!

The waterfront  reveals a rugged coastline with rock stacks, remnants of collapsed arches. 

It also has The Iditarod Trail Mile 0 Marker indicating the starting point of the historic Iditarod Trail that was crucial for mail and supplies, connecting remote communities.

One notable sculpture is the “Trail Blazers” statue, unveiled in 2008 to mark the centennial of the Iditarod Trail. It depicts an early 1900s prospector with his pack dog, symbolizing the pioneering spirit of the era.

While on board I notice a skeletal pier. Upon closer observation I make out a towering crane and a conveyor system. Looming directly behind it are steep, fog shrouded mountains. Is the mystical aura justified? Reading about it later I find out it is the abandoned Seward coal terminal. A relic of the past for, since 2018, it no longer serves its purpose. It would have been dismantled by now. 

Interesting rules governing Iditarod mushers.

Musher: one who drives the sled dog team in the Iditarod

Rules:

The musher is allowed to carry firearms of his own choice to protect his team from territorial moose, wolves, or bears.

If a musher kills a big game animal( like a moose) in self-defense, he must stop, gut it, and salvage the meat.

Competitors close behind him must stop and help process the animal. They are not allowed to pass until the musher who shot it moves on.

What do these rules show? The Iditarod is less of a standard sport and more of a survival challenge. Forcing competitors to pause their race to help a rival process an animal proves that in the wild, human solidarity and respect for nature always come before winning.

Hoonah, Alaska: humbly dazzles

Weatherproof

We’re ready to disembark at Icy Strait Point. As though proving its name, it’s a cold, wet day, but we’re well prepared for whatever Alaska has in store. Why wish for sunshine when the weather is part of the experience? After all, isn’t this misty, rain-soaked landscape as much a part of Alaska’s character as its mountains, forests, and rugged coastline? We are dressed for it. 

A unique structure

The first surprise is the dock. Icy Strait Point, on Chichagof Island,is a unique port. The pier is not aligned with the shore. It is connected to it with pedestrian bridgeways starting with a steep ramp.  They are certainly built for the weather for they feature non-slippery floors, frequent lookout points and benches to rest on! It is no wonder when we find out that the pier was built by and run by cruiseliners.

‘Everything else to the right’ points the sign board

The moment we are off the ramp most passengers are heading toward the exploration centre with shops and ticket booths or to their shuttle buses for excursions. We are aware that the town of Hoonah is not too far away. A bus ride would only take about 5 minutes. Because of the rain and the chill it is a favourite mode of transport for the visitors. But we look forward to the experience of taking the board walk and then following a scenic paved path. The Hoonah Memorial Sea Walk is well-maintained and relatively flat.The breathtaking scenery presents spectacular views of the village, the towering forests and the  natural beauty of the bays and distant mountains. Even wild life. We see whales spouting in the distance and a blue heron waiting patiently on a jetty. A row of smart houses remind us that we are already in Hoonah. 30 mins is all it took.

What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare?"

From Leisure by William Henry Davies 

The whole area is peaceful and remote, deeply connected to nature. There are no grand historical buildings, elegant restaurants, attractive souvenir shops, or bustling shopping streets. Instead, we come across a small, unassuming store and, further up a gentle slope, an attractive blue-and-white church. Life moves at an unhurried pace, and for city dwellers accustomed to the hustle and bustle, the town might seem rather ordinary at first. Arguably, its charm lies precisely in its simplicity and tranquillity. Hoonah does not have to pressure itself to impress.  

Tradition meets nature

Hoonah is the principal village of the Huna Tlingit, the Indigenous people who originally settled in Glacier Bay. It is also the largest Tlingit village in Alaska. We take a look at a small shed that houses hand-built canoes in the making, while a colourful totem pole featuring the symbolic raven stands proudly nearby. The Tlingit people have a rich cultural heritage, reflected in their traditional craftsmanship, including the making of kayaks and intricately carved totem poles. These glimpses of local life offer a quiet insight into a community whose traditions remain closely intertwined with the natural world.

And then we trace our way back to the port enjoying more great views That's where all the tourists centred activity is. At the culture centre we watch the tail end of a Tlingit dance performance in their bold red and black traditional costumes. 

Fishing heritage

Nearby is an old cannery that closed in the 1950s and has since been transformed into a museum. 

The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s fishing and canning history. It features original salmon-processing machinery, vintage canning equipment, and historical displays that tell the story of the local seafood industry and its growth along the Alaskan coast.One of the most intriguing machines is called a guillotine—yes, you read that right! It was used to behead salmon. Since the fish came in different sizes, a worker had to position each one carefully beneath the blade to ensure that the head was cut off at exactly the right spot. Thankfully, no fresh salmon are being slaughtered here today!

The museum also highlights the rich cultural heritage of the Huna Tlingit people, whose lives and traditions have long been intertwined with the surrounding waters and the fishing industry.

A different but valid experience

Outside, overhead, there is a great deal of activity. Not  birds, not cable cars. Its suspended adventurous souls in harnesses whizzing through the air on zip lines. It's a soaring, exhilarating way to experience the landscape from above.

Watching them,I wonder what it must feel like to sail through the air, with the world spread out beneath you. We are content to stand back and observe, appreciating the excitement of others and reflecting on the experiences we choose. 

 Teased by symbolic gestures

But we are not done yet. As we leave the port more wild life emerges

There, perched at the very crown of a massive, weathered fir tree, sits a solitary bald eagle calling us to rise above challenges.

Just as we sail out we are scoffed by a literal giveaway of a whale's position, the spout. ‘Thar she blows,’ says Captain Ahab in Moby Dick, and the deckhands scramble into action to capture the giant. It is enough that it teases us by revealing its position and then immediately shows us the tail to bid us bon voyage. 

What we experience in Hoonah is the allure of the ordinary where beautiful nature and cultural roots twine together.

Trivia:

The guillotine machines that beheaded the salmon were referred to as iron chinks because they replaced the Chinese (chink) workers at the start of the 20th century.

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Valetta, Malta (2): the narrative continues

Cont'd from Valetta, malta(1)

Zooming up

As soon as we get back to the city we go in search of the lift to return to the upper Barrakka  Gardens. We purchase a return ticket at the machine. 25 secs is all it takes to ascend 58 m. The fleeting view through the window of the elevator as we rise is that of the harbour and Fort Angelo. While we wait for the evening gun salute we have the city to explore.

Roving the grid: from contentious times . . .

From the top we wander into stairs and ramps that lead us to different streets. Most are pedestrianised. The cross streets, some of which have steep gradients, often give us glimpses of the blue Mediterranean  sea in the distance. Our wanderings through Republic Street and Old Bakery Street, to name just two, is enough to establish that the city is laid out as a grid.

It is neither boring nor overwhelming.

The first significant building we come across is intimidating not because of its appearance but because of its name and the associations that go with it: Inquisitor’s Palace. The very word Inquisition drags up images of brutal inquiry into heresy that led to harsh punishment. Wasn't Joan of Arc subject to the French Inquisition? The building is now only a museum but it is a reminder of the Holy Roman Inquisition that dominated Malta for over 224 years.

And then the gallariji: what stories do they tell of the era of the knights?

Ubiquitous to Valletta are the painted wooden Maltese balconies. They protrude over the narrow streets alongside small shrines, Baroque carvings and ornate façades, giving the city its Malteseness. 

Are they merely decorative? Far from it. They served a dual purpose. They allowed the sea breeze and natural light in while keeping the heat or cold out. They doubled, especially for house-bound women, as a discreet window on the immediate world. Neighbours and passers by have been watched! What stories would these windows have spawned?

. . .to the joyous present

While crossing one of the streets a movement of festively dressed groups in the distance catches our attention and so we proceed towards it. A spectacle awaits us. Marching bands and groups dressed in period costume are milling about. They are getting ready for a parade. Nearby we hear music. We are at the entrance to the citadel at the ruins of the Royal Theatre, which has turned into an arena with a stage ready to host singers and musicians. We happen to be at the tail-end of Malta's national day  celebrations.

The seat of power: from military power to a mere show

Right beside us is The Grandmaster’s Palace, formerly the seat of the Grand Master of the Knights of Malta. A walk into its courtyard and its entrance do not suggest what the knights were supposed to be: officially warrior monks who had sworn vows of poverty, obedience and chastity.  Over time their organisation increasingly resembled a princely court.

The building then housed the Maltese Parliament before it moved to its purpose-built building near the entrance to the city. The palace now houses the Office of the President of Malta. 

Our chosen path leads us into Republic Street which ends in St George's Square with its landmark Triton fountain. 

History shaped by victors

At Triton fountain we are surrounded by the courthouse as well as civic and government buildings. A few metres away is the modern Parliament house. As we approach the broad staircase, with shallow steps leading along the side of the bastion we notice that it is a canvas and a runway for visitors' photographs! 

Just as we are about to climb, a riderless three legged horse slows us in our tracks. 

I find out that this is a contentious sculpture. It had been installed as part of a celebration just a few months before we visited. It has moved on. Not necessarily because the Maltese didn't quite take to it. The horse that symbolizes the impermanence of power, political critique, and how traditional history is shaped by victors rather than the vulnerable has been trotting the world!

As we ascend we have, on our other side,  the austere Auberge de Castille which now houses the Office of the Prime Minister of Malta. 

Co Cathedral 

Further up is St John's Co-Cathedral. It is a major tourist attraction and therefore even with tickets there could be a long wait to go in. I'd rather read about the Cathedral. Our distant view shows an exterior that is unremarkable, stark and staid.  But the interior is, according to my research, a gape-worthy display of Baroque decoration, with gold, paintings and coloured marble as well as two spectacular works by Caravaggio, especially  his largest painting and his only signed work, the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.

Why the ‘Co’ in its appellation? When Valletta replaced Mdina as Malta’s capital it shared its cathedral status with St Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina(referred to in my previous blog), which had previously served as Malta’s principal cathedral.

Monuments at the Gardens,

We are now free to explore the gardens atop Valletta’s historic bastions. In Hastings Garden, we encounter monuments that offer a glimpse into Malta’s history and its long journey towards self-government. In one we, we are reminded of Malta’s journey towards self-government. One monument represents the events of 7th June 1919, when protests over hardship and rising food prices turned violent,  caused a turning point in Malta’s political history.

Nearby stands a replica of Les Gavroches (The Street Boys), inspired by Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, symbolising the courage, hope and aspirations of youth.

Amid the gardens and magnificent views, these monuments remind us that Valletta’s beauty is intertwined with stories of struggle, sacrifice and the pursuit of freedom.

A salute to the past and present

It's close to 4pm.  It's time for the gun salute that takes place twice a day. The earlier one was at noon. we place ourselves at the viewing terrace at the gardens with views of the Grand Harbour and Fort Angel below as well as the saluting Battery. I see two visitors , probably a father and son standing close to the soldier who is expected to fire the cannon. For a  small admission fee (about €3 for adults) visitors can enter the battery platform for a close-up view. But you'll have to be prepared for the deafening sound! 

Built in 1566 by the Order of St. John, the Saluting Battery is one of Valletta’s historic landmarks. It was built for defence and later used for ceremonial gun salutes. Today, it offers visitors a glimpse into Malta’s fascinating history.

Apparently the men operating the guns are all volunteers with a deep interest in history.

What purpose has this salute served apart from defence? Traditionally, ships in the harbour synchronised their clocks at the noon firing. At 4pm it was a signal that announced the closing of the gates. Now they also serve ceremonial purposes.

Underfoot and undercover 

At the arched entrance to the saluting battery,underneath our feet, at the lower level of the bastion, lies the secret underground headquarters used by the Allies during the Second World War. For a fee visitors can see map rooms, communications equipment and underground passages lined with wartime bunks in what is known as the Lascaris War Rooms.

Packed in

Is it  even possible? Valletta packs some 320 monuments into just 0.55 km²—grand churches, fortified walls, government buildings, underground wartime sites and a handsome waterfront are all packed into Malta’s UNESCO-listed capital. It is so compact that centuries of Mediterranean history can be explored on foot

To boot, In 2018 Valetta  was named European Capital of Culture.

The complete package

As we leave Malta’s Grand Harbour, we enjoy wonderful views of its ancient fortifications, including Fort St. Elmo, Fort Angelo, Fort St. Michael, Fort Ricasoli, and Villa Bighi, as well as Kalkara village—all places we could explore on foot. The views we once enjoyed from atop the bastions now glide past us as we sail alongside the fortifications of the three peninsulas—Birgu, Senglea, and Cospicua—before passing between the lighthouses and heading out into the open Mediterranean.

Valetta, Malta(1): the narrative

Popular culture or fact?

Malta? Any relation to Hammett's Maltese Falcon, a print to screen novel?

The history of the Maltese falcon, a real trained falcon, begins in the 16th century when Emperor Charles the V granted Malta, Gozo and Tripoli to the Knights of St. John. In return, the Knights were required to provide the Spanish crown with an annual symbolic tribute. Yes, one trained falcon per year granted the Knights autonomy while symbolically continuing Spanish sovereignty.

In the twentieth century, Dashiell Hammett drew on this real historical tradition for his novel The Maltese Falcon. He transformed the historical falcon into a fictional, jewel-encrusted statuette, supposedly created as a tribute for the King of Spain. And then came the film that made the association legendary. Thus, the Maltese connection in the novel has a genuine historical foundation, even though the famous artifact itself is fictional.

Eventually their emblem, the eight-pointed Maltese Cross, and the tradition of the falcon became symbols of prestige, sovereignty, and military heritage.

Mystical: Shaped by the strategic position

Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and North Africa. It is ideally located at the crossroads between Europe, North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean. Today we are in Valetta, its capital. The view of the numerous fortifications as we approach the port speaks plenty for its layered history shaped by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Spaniards, the Knights of St John and the British.  By dint of its position Malta became extremely important in WWII, Allied operations  were  coordinated from here.

Drawn into the unique blend 

As we leave the port towards the city we get glimpses of what is to come. The path takes us through taxi ranks and horse carriages lined up for hire.We climb up a negotiable slope with the cruise port  below us on one side and the streets, also below us on the other. There is no question that the old and new, history and modernity exist together. There are short streets, sometimes made up of only stairs. There are side streets into which charming cafes are tucked. 

The walk leads us to the upper Barrakka Gardens located on the upper tier of Saints Peter and Paul Bastion built in the 1560s. It is the highest point of the city walls. Apparently we could have taken the lift from the harbour but we are not complaining. After all, exploration is key to our travels, especially the little bits that add up to a fully immersive experience. The colonnaded garden is dotted with  various monuments, including a replica of Antonio Sciortino’s famous sculpture, The Street Urchins, and a tribute to Sir Winston Churchill. The park benches are inviting but we have a lot to explore in the city. We will return.

Away from the tourist spots

Just as we hit the streets we see a bus terminus. So we decide to get a day pass and ride around the city and its suburbs.  First we drive by the Valletta waterfront in Floriana with its iconic waterfront. historic buildings that were once warehouses, have been restored into a relaxed stretch of restaurants, bars, and walking paths right along the waterThe Granaries, as they are known, is a large urban open space that is ideal for  major events. The traffic in the city peters out as we leave it. Our 21/2  hr long trip takes us through various streets and several residential areas, some  with remains of crumbling old stone walls.

The view of a whole fortified city

Then we are at Mosta, another city,  where we are astounded by the Rotunda, Malta's largest church, said to be the third largest unsupported dome in the world. It's all looking very much like Rome's open museum. 

Reverence in silence

And then we are  in Mdina, a fortified hilltop city, the old capital.At St Paul's church and St Agatha's we are enraptured by the Baroque architecture and embellishments of the grand ornate edifices. The alleyways are a delight to wander around. We even walk into an artisan glass factory. Being car-free, the city is silent. What a lovely reverential stillness. 

We pass by the international  airport featuring  a local yellow limestone shell and distinct arches, inspired by traditional architectural elements and the historic fortifications of Valletta, and the University with its ubiquitous shared porticos and limestone structure. The streets did seem rather quiet.

To be cont'd in Valetta, Malta(2)