Tag: Valletta

A photo of the harbour - Valletta, Malta

The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry

There weren’t many female physicians in the 19th century. Irishwoman Margaret Bulkley pretended to be a man for over 40 years to practise medicine. This article explains how this happened, Bulkley's life in Malta and how we know what happened.
A photo of the balcony on the Grandmaster's Palace - Valletta, Malta

The Revolting Slaves of Malta

Malta is not known for its revolutions. Unlike other countries, the people preferred other ways of changing history. This article describes one unsuccessful plot to overthrow the Knights of Malta.
A photo of the church of St Rocco (Photo in the public domain)

The shock of the 1908 tsunami in Malta

One side effect of an earthquake in a coastal region is a tsunami that rips through the sea around it. Malta is close to a major earthquake fault line. In 1908, a major earthquake hit Sicily causing a tsunami in Malta.
A photo of the Auberge de Baviere - Valletta, Malta

Maltese windows

When the Knights of Malta built Valletta in the seventeenth century, it was admired by all who saw it. We don’t realise that it took 400 years or so to
A photo of the view from St Michael's Bastions - Valletta, Malta

The Obelisk that Moved

In Malta, driving towards Valletta, you see a large obelisk amidst the many lanes of traffic fighting their way to work. This monument is Spencer Obelisk and has a connection