One of Malta's many sheltered, deep water harbours can be found south of the capital city, Valletta, founded in the 16th century after the victory by the Knights of St. John over the Ottoman Empire, in the Great Siege of 1565. This photo was taken from one of Valletta's many forts, Fort St. Elmo, built by the British to stave off attacks against...well, anyone that we happened to dislike during our 150 years there! The harbour is still in active use, offering ferries to Sicily and round-islands cruises, and is a main stop for many Mediterranean cruises.

Fort St. Elmo is one of the larger Vallettan forts, and has inside it a huge museum dedicated to the history of the island, which contains, among many other items of interest, the table upon which the archipelago was surrendered by the French to the British, the last of the three Gloster Gladiators that defended the islands from the Italian Air Force, and the George Cross awarded by King George VI to the island on April 15th, 1942, which is now displayed proudly on Malta's flag.

Please pardon the history rant, and I hope that you enjoy the view!