This is a painting of the corner of St. Paul Street and St. Dominic Street in Valletta, Malta. We passed this spot often when we stayed on St. Paul Street during our visit in early 2019.

Like many other corners on the narrow stone streets of Valletta, this one was very carefully maintained as something of a religious shrine, with a portrait of Jesus surrounded by potted plants, candles, and other items.

Religion in southern Europe is much more overt than it is in Canada. In Malta, Spain, Portugal, and Greece it's very common to come across small shrines or religious statues that are clearly well-tended and meaningful to those who maintain them. The many churches that are tucked into tight spaces are not just historic: people of all demographics are often popping in and out to say a prayer, light a candle or maybe just find a few minutes of quiet on a lunch break.

St. Paul is a particularly important religious figure in Malta, as he is traditionally credited with bringing Christianity to the island after a shipwreck in 60 A.D.