Middle Sea

A collection of thoughts and views with a Mediterranean island as a backdrop.

[theartsyproject]

Francisco Goya, Witches in the Air, 1798.

[galen82]

[galen82]

Gnejna bay at the end of Summer or is it?

[mapsontheweb]

The Carolingian and Byzantine Empires and the Califate about 814.

[galen82]

Map showing Europe and the Mediterranean in 814. Malta was still part of the Byzantine Empire. The Arab conquest occured in 870 but Malta was left uninhabited for a long time then resettled at the start of the 2nd millenium.

[burning-stmandard-deactivated20]

[burning-stmandard-deactivated20]

by Hengki Koentjoro

[galen82]

Amazing!

[mapsontheweb]

Dutch map of Europe in the form of a woman, 18th century.

Related: Europe as a queen, 16th century

[galen82]

At St John's co-cathedral formerly the Knights hospitaliers of the Order of St John (aka Kinghts of Malta). That's a mouthful. Detail from one of the many tombstones one can admire at this cathedral in Valletta Malta.

[galen82]

Antonio Scortino Nina de Vetlina.

[galen82]

Sunset at Ghajn Tuffieha. One of the prettiest bay in Malta. The name literally means ‘apple’s eye’.

[galen82]

Valletta - Grand Harbour seascape.

[galen82]

Passive decay.

Time dictates all life. Master of organic and inanimate things. No man or animal is able to withstand its tickling force. Seriousness apart three photos combined into one to create movement where none is. Ta'Liese Valletta Malta.

[galen82]

Bonaparte could see from the start that Malta was a prize worth winning. While still an employee of the revolutionary Directory, in 1797, he wrote to his masters that ‘the island of Malta is of major interest for us’, arguing that France needed a sympathetic Grand Master. This could be arranged, in his view, for at least half a million francs: the current Grand Master had never recovered from a stroke, and his successor was expected to be the German von Hompesch: “Valletta has 37,000 inhabitants who are very well disposed towards the French; there are no longer any English in the Mediterranean; why should not our fleet or the Spanish, before going into the Atlantic, sail to Valletta and occupy it? There are only 500 Knights and the regiment of the Order is only 600 strong. If we do not, Malta will fall into the power of the king of Naples. This little island is worth any price to us.” These were very acute comments, even if he overestimated the value of Malta as a supply base, given its shortage of wood and water. The magnificent fortifications of Valletta were a mask behind which sat an inadequate army of defenders, men who were, in any case, often seduced by fine living – the passionate, even fanatical, ideals of the earlier Hospitallers had become greatly diluted, even if the war against the infidel Turk remained the set purpose of the Maltese corsairs. 30 Moreover, the danger of a Neapolitan takeover of Malta had more than local significance. The ‘king of the Two Sicilies’ enjoyed close ties to Nelson and to Britain, and his historic claim to be the ultimate suzerain of the Maltese archipelago was recognized in the tribute of a falcon paid each year by the Grand Master. The Great Sea; A human history of the Mediterranean. By David Abulafia

[galen82]

Typical balcony along the streets of Rabat Malta. A town which origins go back to Punic times around 2500 years ago.

Imagining who used to stand there observing any passersby back in olden days at the start of the 19th century. Maybe someone puffing a pipe in full suit during one of the many festive events celebrated in this very particular town.

[galen82]

Coulds veiling the Maltese capital city, Valletta.

[galen82]

Sunset from Gnejna bay in Malta. Gnejna means little heaven and today felt like heaven.

Gold was employed in Byzantine art on paintings of saints and biblical episodes. The holy saints represented on panels were enshrouded in a divine gold colour which signified the omnipresence of God and heaven.

[galen82]

Dark clouds looming over Mdina, Malta. After three months of dry weather the first showers over Malta are like a blessing from heaven. Soon all fields will turn alive with green grass and shrubs, colouring the short days of late autumn.

[afp-photo]

CHINA, HONG KONG : A pro-democracy protester stands next to a banner in Hong Kong on September 30, 2014. China on September 30 called major pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong “illegal”, as state media insisted Beijing would not give in but would wait for public opinion to turn against the protests. AFP PHOTO / Philippe Lopez

[galen82]

Democracy is precious and a very good reason to fight for. It's not perfect but the closest thing to good governance.