Underground, Overground

We spent a couple more days exploring outside Valletta, by bus. Due to the carnival, the bus terminal had been moved a little further from the city which was a bit more difficult, especially in the pouring rain. During this time we discovered the smaller bus providing a half hourly service around the centre, with a stop at the end of our road, was also wheelchair accessible. With the crowds attending the carnival celebrations, this was particularly useful.

Off we went to Rabat to look for the catacombs, which were advertised as partially accessible. This was one of the very wet days, so the first thing to do on arriving in the town was to find somewhere accessible and dry to feed Racheal and get ourselves something to eat. All the cafés we looked at had steps, so we ended up in a museum foyer sheltering from the rain. Summer gave Racheal her lunch while I went out to scout the area and find a café we could get into.

Once we had all had lunch, we walked up the hill to St Paul’s catacombs, one of the largest in Malta. Unfortunately, despite being advertised as partially accessible, this only applied to the visitor centre so Summer and I took it in turns to spend time there with Racheal and to go underground to see the burial chambers.

The following day, we were back on a bus this time to Mosta to see the famous dome. Again, only Summer and I could access the viewing area at the base of the dome, but Racheal could access the rest of the church which we explored thoroughly. During World War II, while 200 people were praying in the church, a bomb was dropped on it. It penetrated the dome and damaged a painting as it fell, but it did not explode. Everyone was able to leave the building safely and the bomb was defused without further incident. It is displayed as a reminder of the miraculous saving of 200 lives that day.

Outside the church, quite by accident, we discovered the entrance to an air raid shelter which was open to the public. Summer and I took it turns to go down and look at the tunnel network which had been a safe haven when Malta was bombed extensively in World War II. Next stop was a café with a good size disabled toilet where we could attend to Rachel‘s care needs before having a coffee. Then a slow, crowded bus ride back to Valletta again.