Brumby (DE 1044) - Naval Cruise Book

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district is around the parallel streets of King's Way and Market Street. Here are countless shops in the style of England selling all manner of arti- cles. There is china, textiles, suits, dresses, crystal, jewelry, and lace to name a few of the bargains. These shops lure the natives, tourists, and BRUMBY men as well. Quite a few souvenirs were brought back from Valetta. Between King's Way and Market Street is the church of St. John. This church, dedicated to the one who founded Christianity on the island, is not impressive from the outside. The structure was designed by an architect who was one of the best builders of battlements and appears to be a castle rather than a church. Inside there is a wealth of decoration making this church one of the richest in the world. The Order of St. John con- sisted of noblemen who had large personal treas- ures. This was their church and the result was the building of a wealthy place of worship. The walls and pillars are of limestone that is carved ornately and gilted with solid gold. The ceiling is covered with paintings. The painting was done in oil di- rectly upon the limestone ceiling. The technique for doing this is unknown today. Protecting the altar of the holy sacrament is a solid silver fence 20 feet wide and eight feet tall. During an invasion by the French the Maltese painted the fence black and the French mistook it for a common metal

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and did not take it. In the central part of the church are more than 400 tombs of nobility from all over Europe. Each tomb is covered by a richly deco- rated marble slab. In another part is a huge paint- ing of the beheading of John the Baptist. It was painted where it is today by the artist Carravagio whose advanced skill and genius made possible the success of Rembrandt and da Vinci. The Church of St. John was an interesting stop on our tour of Valetta. On a hill in the center of the island is Mdina, the old capitol of Malta. Mdina was once the gov- ernmental and religious center for the island. To- day the town is an 'exclusivelresidential area for noble families and wealthy businessmen. There is an international school for children and an order of Benedictine sisters there. The church of St. Paul is beautifully ornate and was the Bishop's church before Valetta became the capitol. During the Feast of St. Paul, the church's rich store of gold and silver chalaces and candelabra are displayed along with the priceless tapestries and carpets. The waterless moat surrounding the city contains a variety of trees and flowers. Without the activity of the church and government, the narrow, stone streets wind past quiet buildings and Mdina is called the Silent City .