The sky was cloudy today. This happens to be a peaceful hour for Marsamxett Harbour. Normally it is full of the bustle of yachts coming in and out of the harbour, either to berth at one of the yacht marines around the harbour or to take tourists for a boat trip round this and Grand Harbour on the other side of Valletta. In the background is Valletta with the imposing dome of the Carmelite Church flanked by the Spire of St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral. Marsamxett is not geared for big ships but has berths for hundreds of yacht at Msida Creek and around Manoel Island, an island cut from the rest of the mainland by around 4metres of shallow water which is spanned by a small bridge. On Manoel Island is also a Yachtyard. Unlike the Grand Harbour, Marsamxett did not experience direct attacks during World War II although it had its share of enemy bombings; but it was the main berthing place for the Turkish armada which unsuccessfully attacked Malta during the Great Siege of 1565. The Knights Hospitallers of St John ( now commonly referred to as Knights of Malta) who ruled over Malta at the time, together with the Maltese community and a few foreign soldiers withstood the onslaught of the mighty Turkish forces even though their numbers were far smaller than those of the Turks. At the time Turkey under its greatest leader of all times, Suleiman the Magnificent ruled over all Eastern Europe, North Africa and Spain (through the Moors). It was very important for the Turks at that time to take also Malta.
