SAINT JOSEPH'S ORATORY

Near the square, you can stop off at the Oratoire Saint-Joseph, an ^18th-century chapel run by two charming retirees. Known as Notre-Dame de Damas, this former Greek-Catholic church is now part of Saint Joseph's Oratory. Its name comes from the icon of Our Lady of Damascus brought from Rhodes and placed in Birgu, then moved in 1587 to the Greek-Catholic church of Our Lady of Valletta. Jean de La Valette is said to have come here to pray just before the Great Siege. Here you can see his battle sword and hat. This fighting sword should not be confused with the jeweled sword offered by Philip II of Spain as a reward for his courage, now on display in the Louvre. In the oratory, you'll find a portrait of La Valette, attributed to one of Caravaggio's pupils. The master may have made a few alterations. Still in the oratory, enthusiasts will find ex-votos, religious paintings, cherubs, crucifixes, bells, as well as candlesticks that once belonged to the order, the flags of the various inns and letters from Knights written to their mothers asking for money! You'll also be interested in a card game dating back to 1609, with which the Knights used to play on the galleys. The pair of silver scissors, very long, enabled the priest to give communion to the plague-stricken without having to approach them. Magnificent flags from former inns are also on display.