Vintage 1970 watercolour of the Grand harbour Malta

Vintage 1970 watercolour of the Grand Harbour, Malta, in a pine glass front, framed and mounted, ready to hang some age-related wear. 27 cm wide, 22 cm tall 2 cm deep

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The Grand Harbour of Malta has a rich and long history, dating back to the 8th century BC when the Phoenicians established a trading outpost there. Over the centuries, it has served as a strategic naval base, a scene of significant battles, and a vital harbour for various powers.

Key historical points:

Phoenician Era:

The Grand Harbour's history begins with the Phoenicians, who recognised its strategic position and deep waters, establishing a trading outpost in the 8th century BC.

Strategic Naval Base:

The Knights of St John made it their naval base for 268 years, from 1530 to 1798, developing fortifications and dockyards.

Great Siege of Malta:

The harbour witnessed much of the fighting during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, where the Ottoman forces attempted to eject the Knights of St John.

British Influence:

The British Royal Navy established modern dockyard facilities in the Grand Harbour in the 19th century.

World War II:

The Grand Harbour was heavily bombed during World War II due to Malta's strategic location, but it also served as a vital base for the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943.

Continuing Importance:

The dockyards continued to serve civilian vessels even after the military use ceased, operating under the firms Malta Drydocks and Malta Shipbuilding Company, Limited.

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Watercolour (American English) or watercolour (Commonwealth English; see spelling differences), also aquarelle (French: [akwaʁɛl]; from Italian diminutive of Latin aqua 'water), [1] is a painting method[2] in which the paints are made of pigments suspended in a water-based [3] solution. Watercolour refers to both the medium and the resulting artwork. Aquarelles painted with water-soluble coloured ink instead of modern watercolours are called aquarellum atramento (Latin for "aquarelle made with ink") by experts. However, this term has now tended to pass out of use. [4] [5]