Malta: Valetta – Basilica of St Dominic
One of the most spectacular churches in Valletta is the Basilica of St Dominic. Originally constructed in 1571 on the order of the Pope Pius V, it was one of the grandest and richest churches in the city. After a series of earthquakes, it was declared unsafe in 1780, and then rebuilt anew and reopened 35 years later. The church has 2 spires and 9 domes which are hard to see or photograph from Valetta’s narrow streets. But the interior is truly mind-boggling – loads and loads of silver and gold, ornate ceilings and walls with paintings, massive chandeliers, and so on and so forth. It is usually closed to public, but we got extremely lucky as it was temporarily open due to some forthcoming dignitary visit from Vatican.
