The Mdina Gate is famous for being used as a filming location for Game of Thrones, but more importantly, it stands between the two cities of Mdina and Rabat (arabic: suburb as it was outside the old capital Mdina). Here, it can be seen how differently life inside and outside the city gates was. The St. Paul’s Cathedral is located in Mdina while St. Paul’s Catacombs – burial grounds – are located in Rabat.
The construction of the magnificent Saint John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta is deeply intertwined with Malta’s past and influence by the Order of St. John. Compared to an oyster because the plain exterior hides the lush interior baroque decorations, it tells the story of Malta’s religious history. Every one of the eight langues (sections) of the order is represented in a chapel, rich with its native symbolism and characteristics.
So is Valletta the monochrome city? The predominant color seems to be sandstone on which the city has been built. But looking closer, splashes of color seep through the cracks and crevasses of the architecture, infiltrating the built of the city – the greyish blue of the sky, the deep blue of the water surrounding it, the aquas and greens of the balconies, the reds of crosses and cars, the multicolored boats…
Tübingen is a good destination for the aimless, searching for scenic strolls and promenades. Timber framework and colorful riverfronts are condensed into one small cobblestoned old town where you can find yourself going round and round in circles but still discovering more photogenic spots as you go. Don’t forget the University, a huge part of the town, and remember to sample some Swabian cuisine.
