Valletta, Malta

Valletta is the capital city of Malta and its history is closely linked to the Order of Saint John. In 1530, when the knights arrived at the island, they settled in Birgu, protected by the, at the time, small watchtower of Saint Elmo on the Sciberras Peninsula. During the Great Siege of 1565, the Fort fell into enemy hands but, following the victory over the Muslim forces, the Knights were able to get significant financial support both from the Pope and King Phillip II of Spain, with which they started to build their new city.It was named after Grandmaster Jean de la Vallette, the hero of the Grand Siege but, despite only taking 15 years to build, it was concluded after the Grandmaster's death. Valletta was planned by the military engineer Francesco Lapareli.

What to see:
Grandmaster's Palace
National Museum of Archaeology
National War Museum
Upper Barrakka Gardens
Lower Barrakka Gardens
Saint John's Co-Cathedral

Back to Malta 


Local: Valeta, Malta

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