Valletta
Historical Notes
The island state of Malta is located in the Mediterranean, really close to the coasts of Sicily. It consists of three main islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino. Malta is the largest island. Its rich history is inextricably linked to its strategic position as it occupied a key position in the domination of the Mediterranean, for these reason great populations occupied the island, the most important to remember are: Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, French and English.
Valletta is the capital city of Malta. Located in the south east of the island, between Marsamxett Harbour to the west and the Grand Harbour to the east. Valletta is full of buildings belonging to the 16th-century that have been constructed by the Knights Hospitaller. The city has a Baroque character, with elements of Mannerist, Neo-Classical and Modern architecture. The city has fortifications, bastions, curtains and cavaliers, along with the beauty of its Baroque palaces, gardens and churches that gave to the city the nickname of “the proudest”.
Absolutely protagonist of the history of the island as of its capital is the domination of the Knights of St. John that was a medieval and then also a Catholic military order.
Today Valletta as all the island of Malta is an important destination for the most important cruise ship companies, including in most of the journeys for the Mediterranean, the capital of Malta, for its amazing architecture that made it as UNESCO heritage.
What to see
- John’s Cathedral
- Manoel Theatre
- Fort of St. Elmo where is also located the national war museum
- Upper and lower Barrakka Gardens
- George square
- Grandmaster’s Palace
