Through my lens ~ Malta II
Mar 26, 2015 21:24:34 #
On 9 April, 1942 a German UXB - 500 Kg high explosive bomb (some reports say 2 or 300 Kg but the 500 Kg number seems to be more believed - maybe because it sounds better!), broke through the roof of the Rotunda Santa Marija Assunta Church (also known as Mosta Dome).
There were 300 worshippers waiting for Mass to begin when this happened during a German air raid. Amazingly, the bomb crashed to the center aisle not exploding. The people exited the building and a British bomb squad was called in to remove, then defuse the bomb.
The photos following show the Mosta Church (incidentally it's claimed that there are close to 365 churches on this island - one for every day of the year) from a distance, then the church front, next, the interior inside dome of the church (about 67 m high), and a zoomed shot of the place the bomb entered. The last one is an empty casing of a similar bomb.
This church houses the largest mechanical pipe organ on Malta built in 1885 with 2,000 pipes. Someone was playing it while we were inside. Our guide who had visited the church many, many times said she'd never heard it so we felt very privileged.
In the middle 1800's the church was too small so they built this structure over the existing one and when complete, removed the smaller one that was now inside the new, bigger one.
When visiting, as in many European churches, one is not allowed to enter with short shorts or bare shoulders. You must cover up with something of your own or use a 'loaner shawl' they have available.
There were 300 worshippers waiting for Mass to begin when this happened during a German air raid. Amazingly, the bomb crashed to the center aisle not exploding. The people exited the building and a British bomb squad was called in to remove, then defuse the bomb.
The photos following show the Mosta Church (incidentally it's claimed that there are close to 365 churches on this island - one for every day of the year) from a distance, then the church front, next, the interior inside dome of the church (about 67 m high), and a zoomed shot of the place the bomb entered. The last one is an empty casing of a similar bomb.
This church houses the largest mechanical pipe organ on Malta built in 1885 with 2,000 pipes. Someone was playing it while we were inside. Our guide who had visited the church many, many times said she'd never heard it so we felt very privileged.
In the middle 1800's the church was too small so they built this structure over the existing one and when complete, removed the smaller one that was now inside the new, bigger one.
When visiting, as in many European churches, one is not allowed to enter with short shorts or bare shoulders. You must cover up with something of your own or use a 'loaner shawl' they have available.
Mosta Church from the Bastion Terrace in Mdina - The Silent City
(Download)
Mosta Church front
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Inside the Mosta Dome church
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The ceiling as best as I could capture it.
(Download)
Close-up of where th bomb entered.
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A bomb exactly like the one that came through the roof.
(Download)
Mar 26, 2015 21:33:28 #
travelerted wrote:
On 9 April, 1942 a German UXB - 500 Kg high explos... (show quote)
There's a flock of birds straight up from the dome over the ocean...Cool! :-D I love your traveling pics Ted! :thumbup: :thumbup:
Mar 26, 2015 21:42:13 #
I'm really Impressed, Fullframe. You certainly do look over the photos carefully! I hadn't noticed that in the picture until you pointed it out. I didn't wait for that to happen to get BIF!
Your comments are kind and I do appreciate your stopping and posting.
Have an enjoyable evening,
ted
Your comments are kind and I do appreciate your stopping and posting.
Have an enjoyable evening,
ted
Mar 26, 2015 22:09:42 #
The Maltanese really know how to make a timepiece don't they? The date and time for that time frame is really awesome as are you shots.
I'm that you saved your pennies and like sharing your travels with us. These are the best vacations I've never had to pay for. :)
I'm that you saved your pennies and like sharing your travels with us. These are the best vacations I've never had to pay for. :)
Mar 26, 2015 22:14:15 #
Lovely shots, Ted. We were in/on Malta for a day last October but never saw the church. Facinating city/island. It needs a lot more time to explore. So much history ...
Mar 26, 2015 23:14:32 #
Mike D. wrote:
The Maltanese really know how to make a timepiece don't they? The date and time for that time frame is really awesome as are you shots.
I'm that you saved your pennies and like sharing your travels with us. These are the best vacations I've never had to pay for. :)
I'm that you saved your pennies and like sharing your travels with us. These are the best vacations I've never had to pay for. :)
As usual, Mike, you are very kind with your comments. If it weren't for my wife being in the travel business, we would never had the chance to see as many places as we've bee able to. I am glad to be able to take you along and enjoy to the degree photos can show, some of these beautiful places,
BTW...I'm waiting for that twilight shot, Mike. It doesn't have to be some grand vista, just something close to your home at that magic time of day.
Mar 26, 2015 23:18:03 #
Photoninny wrote:
Lovely shots, Ted. We were in/on Malta for a day last October but never saw the church. Facinating city/island. It needs a lot more time to explore. So much history ...
Thank you Photoninny, for stopping by for a look and for your comments. You know only too well the limitations of being in a place like Malta and not being able to capture the full beauty of it all. To do it justice, one needs at least a week minimum to really get around to all there is to see. Did you visit Mdina? That really fascinated me. I think I'll post a few from there next. Have you posted any from your time there?
ted
Mar 27, 2015 08:37:42 #
Wow, almost too long ago to remember ...... visited Malta while a young sailor in the late 1960's. Went scuba diving off the coast and later had my arm about the waste of a fetching British tourist who I got to know fairly well (in Mdina no less). Good memories of a land far away. Thanks Ted.
Mar 27, 2015 09:34:03 #
Bob Yankle wrote:
Wow, almost too long ago to remember ...... visited Malta while a young sailor in the late 1960's. Went scuba diving off the coast and later had my arm about the waste of a fetching British tourist who I got to know fairly well (in Mdina no less). Good memories of a land far away. Thanks Ted.
Delighted that I could stimulate some good memories, Bob. I think you could share some very interesting stories of your travels. I wonder how much Mdina has changes over the years, I'd guess not to much but it would be interesting to be with you when you go back for a visit. To be able to SCUBA there is a real added bonus. My wife won't dive so I don't really enjoy going it 'alone' even if it's with a group, so I don't go too often.
Thanks for sharing your story - they're always welcome!
ted
Mar 27, 2015 09:42:03 #
travelerted wrote:
On 9 April, 1942 a German UXB - 500 Kg high explos... (show quote)
Thanks for sharing the great story and for the fine shots of the church👍👍
Mar 27, 2015 09:49:59 #
What a beautiful church. Do you know the denomination of it? Once again you have posted some wonderful travel pics. I love to see these. I will have to find out if my parents have been to any of the places you have shared with us. My mom retired from American Airlines so they travel all over the world.
Mar 27, 2015 12:48:22 #
FrodoBaggins wrote:
Thanks for sharing the great story and for the fine shots of the church👍👍
It was good of you to stop by and comment, FrodoBaggins, I do appreciate it and your kind words.
I looked at your posts and found an amazing collection of beautiful work you've done, and will follow your future posts too.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend,
ted
Mar 27, 2015 12:55:14 #
travelerted wrote:
It was good of you to stop by and comment, FrodoBaggins, I do appreciate it and your kind words.
I looked at your posts and found an amazing collection of beautiful work you've done, and will follow your future posts too.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend,
ted
I looked at your posts and found an amazing collection of beautiful work you've done, and will follow your future posts too.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend,
ted
Thank you Ted. Took a look at your work also. Very nice!
Mar 27, 2015 13:22:14 #
Andrea.Jarrell wrote:
What a beautiful church. Do you know the denomination of it? Once again you have posted some wonderful travel pics. I love to see these. I will have to find out if my parents have been to any of the places you have shared with us. My mom retired from American Airlines so they travel all over the world.
Thank you once again, Andrea, for visiting and posting - I appreciate your comments. My guess, based on the fact that 98% of the population is Roman Catholic, that it would be of that faith. The inside certainly would tend one to make that valid assumption too.
What a blessing for your parents to have been able to travel like they have - do you get any benefit from that? I bet they have loads of photos from their trips.
Hope you have a super weekend,
ted
Mar 27, 2015 14:07:36 #
Fullframe wrote:
There's a flock of birds straight up from the dome over the ocean...Cool! :-D I love your traveling pics Ted! :thumbup: :thumbup:
And the fifth bird from the left has a fish in its beak :roll: :lol: LOL...great history and pics!!
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