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VALLETTA |
Valletta - Capital of the Maltese islands, and listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site. It was built after the great siege by the Knights of the Order of St. John some 430 years ago. Today it is the island's commercial centre. Grand Master's Palace - Home to the Grandmasters of the Knights for over 200 years and today it is the official residence of the President. This palace holds priceless tapestries and a display of over 5000 pieces of armour and weapons, dating back to the time of the Knights. The two halls of the Grand Masters Palace host a beautiful collection of medieval armour and weapons used by the knights and their enemies. This collection contains as much as 6000 exhibits, amongst which one can find La Vallette's suit of armour and a magnificent ceremonial suit made for Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt. St. John's Co-Cathedral - The Beheading of St. John the Baptist by Caravaggio is only one of the many artistic treasures to be found in the Cathedral, consecrated in 1578. Construction of this magnificent Cathedral with a rich baroque interior began five years earlier (1573). Cathedral Museum - The beheading of St. John by Caravaggio is definitely the highlight of St. John's Cathedral collection. However, not all the other masterpieces are kept in the cathedral itself. Other objects d'art, clerical vestments and Flemish tapestries are displayed in the Cathedral's Museum. War Museum - The George Cross is the most important exhibit in the war museum at fort St. Elmo. This cross was given to the Maltese people by King George VI in 1942 as an award for their bravery. This is the same cross that is displayed on the Maltese national flag. Other important exhibits in this museum are an assortment of weapons, service vehicles, uniforms and a Gloster Gladiator. National Museum of Archaeology - The Auberge de Provence houses the Museum of Archaeology. The museum features a vast collection of prehistoric archaeological remains from various temples around Malta. The collection includes pottery, sculptures, statuettes, stone implements, and personal ornaments. The two most unique exhibits are the Maltese Venues and the Sleeping Lady. The Auberges - The order of the Knights of St. John had a palace or inn for every language, where the members being knights, novices, or serving brothers equally ate. These Auberges were also used as a place for consultation and business. Only five of these residences designed by Girolamo Cassar remain, namely Auberge de Baviere', Auberge d'Aragon, Auberge de Castille et Leon, Auberge d'Italie and Auberge de Provence. Fort St. Elmo - The fort was designed in a shape of a four-pointed star by Pietro Pardo. Built in 1552 with the task of guarding the entrances of two harbours on either side of Mount Sciberras. This Fort suffered its first attack in 1565 during the Great Siege. It was expected to fall after one week but the small fort resisted heavy attacks by the elite Turkish troops and was defeated after one month. Mediterranean Conference Centre - Grand Master Jean de la Cassiere constructed the "Sacra Infermeria", hospital, in 1575. This hospital contained six large halls with an altar in each. It achieved the fame as one of the foremost hospitals of its period in Europe. The Gran Sala, one of the wards, overlooked the Grand Harbour and was one of the longest rooms unsupported by pillars in Europe. The Knights used to serve food to the patients on silver plates for cleanliness sake. The Sacra Infermeria served as a military hospital under the British rule and was converted into a first class conference centre in 1976 when it won the "Europa Nostra Award" for Malta. Manoel Theatre - The theatre was built by Grand Master Antonio Manuel De Vilhena in 1731 on a site, which he had bought purposely. Construction lasted ten months. Through the years the theatre passed through many hands, and was redecorated various times. After the erection of the Opera House, in 1861, it's importance diminished to the point that it served as a dormitory for beggars. Manoel Theatre regained it's popularity when the Opera House burnt down. Today it is one of the oldest theatres in Europe and hosts an open-air cafe in its courtyard. The Grand Harbour - This is an essential port for many luxury liners and cargo ships. It was of great importance during the Great Siege and world war two, having the three cities and Valletta on either side. In 1903 the construction of St. Elmo breakwater commenced. Il-Monti (Market Place) - In the morning from Monday to Saturday Merchant Street till noon, is transformed to a market place full of stalls and hawkers. The goods on sale vary from clothing to food to souvenirs. On Sundays the market moves to St. James Ditch outside of Valletta. The Upper Barrakka – The Upper Barrakka is situated near the Auberge de Castille commands magnificent panoramic views of the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities. The Barrakka was roofed in 1661 but the structure was removed in 1771 by order of the Grand Master Ximenes de Texada. The Lower Barrakka - Enjoying similar views to the Upper Barrakka, Lower Barrakka is situated at the lower end of Valletta overlooking the entrance to the Gand Harbour. |
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Links to Maltese Cities and Towns
Sliema, ST. Julian’s and Paceville Mdina, Rabat, Mosta, Ta Qali and Dingli Three Cities – Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua Bugibba, Qawra and St. Paul’s Bay Fishing Villages – Marsaxlokk, Marsascala and Birzebbugia |
