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The Fortress City, "a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen".
Valletta has many titles, all recalling its rich historical past. It is the
"modern" city built by the Knights of St John; a masterpiece of the baroque; a
European Art City; and a World Heritage City. But these are just some of its
faces and fortunes.
Valletta is also Malta's capital city: a living, working city, the
administrative and commercial heart of the Islands. Nowhere in Malta is the life
of the Islands reflected more than here. The city is busy by day, yet retains a
timeless atmosphere. The grid of narrow streets house some of Europe's finest
art works, churches and palaces.
Valletta hosts a vast cultural programme. Street events are staged against the
city's magnificent baroque architecture and floodlit bastions. There is theatre
and music and all manner of things to see and join in, from avant garde art to
traditional church festas. The city is a delight to shop in: narrow side streets
are full of tiny shops selling antiques, maps, books, prints and jewellery. For
top quality fashion, music and much more try Valletta's main streets -
Republic Street and
Merchants Street.
Walking around Valletta, you'll come across an intriguing historical site around
every corner: votive statues, niches, fountains and coats of arms high up on
parapets. And when you need to stop and take it all in, the city yields up
squares, courtyards, gardens and any number of cafés, right on cue.
Places to visit in Valletta
Important
Churches
St. John’s Co. Cathedral
Formerly the Conventual Church of the Order of St. John is historically and
artistically one of the most historical monuments on the island. It was
built between 1573 and 1577 to the design of Girolamo Cassar (1520-1586),
chief engineer of the Order. The “Beheading of St. John”, Caravaggio’s
masterpiece, hangs on the Oratory.
St. Paul Shipwreck
Church
Built to commemorate St. Paul’s Shipwreck on
the island, the church contains impressive vault paintings by Attilio
Palombi which portray episodes in the life of St. Paul. There is also a
magnificent wooden statue of the apostle and two very important
relireligiousics – a wrist bone of St. Paul and a piece of the column on
which he was beheaded.
Historical Buildings, Monuments
and Gardens
Grand Master’s Palace
The Magesterial Palace, built between 1571 and 1574, is today the president’s
office and seat to Malta’s parliament. The palace is a treasure trove of art.
The Tapestry Chamber hangs a unique collection of Gobelin tapestries. Frescoes
depicting the Great Seige of 1565 adorn the Hall of St. Micheal and St. George
– formerly the Order’s Supreme Council Hall. And, the beautiful ceiling
decorations are by Nicolo Nasini. You will also find works by Ribera, Vanloo and
Batoni in the State Apartments.
Casa Rocca Piccola
This small
palazzo, built in 1580, is a window to Maltese domestic culture of
yesteryear. You will find an excellent costume collection on display,
important period furniture and pictures. All the rooms are featured on the
guided tour including the recently opened war shelters.
National Library
This grand 18th century, Venetian style building was the last public
building commissioned by the Knights. It houses some 400,000 works, many rare or
priceless. All archival material covering the history of the Knights from 1113
to 1798 is lodged in the library.
Sacra Infermeria
The
hospital of the Order of St. John was built in 1574, one of the earlier
buildings in Valletta. It was famous for its high standards, as well as
its grand interior. The Great Ward, 153 metres long has one of the longest
roof expanses in Europe. During World War II it was seriously damaged
through bombing and after extensive renovation it re-opened as the
Mediterranean Conference Centre.
Seige Bell Memorial
The Seige Bell Memorial was inaugurated in 1992 by Queen Elizabeth. It is
monument for those that died during World War II.
Upper Barrakka Gardens
These 18th century gardens offer excellent views overlooking the Grand
Harbour across to the Three Cities. The gardens are dotted with statues
and have been totally refurbished. Below these gardens lie the lower Barrakka and every Saturday at noon, the 'noon gun' is fired.
Hastings Gardens
A small garden set on the bastions with splendid views of Manoel Island and
Msida Creek. The gardens also houses a monument built by the Hasting’s family
to the governor of Malta who died in 1826.
Forts & Fortifications
Fort St. Elmo
Fort St. Elmo guard’s the approach to
the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour. It was built in 1488 and was the
scene of a heroic defence during the Great Seige of 1565. The British
added gun emplacements in the 19th century. In front of the fort are the
St. Elmo Granaries, storage silos with stone lids.
Museums
Armoury
The Armoury
contains some fine examples of mediaeval armour and weapons used by the
Knights. Among the thousands of exhibits are Grand Master La Vallette’s
suit of armour and a magnificent ceremonial suit worn by Grand Master Alof
de Wignacourt.
Manoel
Theatre and Museum
In 1731, Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena commissioned
the construction of the Manoel Theatre. It is one of the oldest theatres in
Europe and is still used. Adjacent to the theatre is the Theatre Museum housed
in Palazzo Bonici.
National Museum of
Archaeology
Displays items of pottery, sculptures,
statuettes, stone implements and personal ornaments. Typical examples of
Punic and Roman Tomb furniture along with the museum’s most prized
exhibits – The Maltese Venus and The Sleeping Lady.
National Museum of
Fine Arts
On display are works by local and internationally renowned artists such as,
Ribera, Mattia Preti, Mathias Stomer and many others. Also included in the
Museum’s collection and on show are sculpture, furniture and other works of
art connected with the Order of St. John, notably the ‘monetarium’ – a
unique collection of coins.
St. John’s Museum
The Oratory and Museum contain two masterpieces by Caravaggio, including the Beheading
of St. John the Baptist. Also on display are the surviving Cathedral silver,
a unique collection of clerical vestments and the Flemish tapestries depicting
religious stories made in the late 17th century.
Toy Museum
Showcased on three floors are toys from the
1950’s onward. Of particular interest is a fine collection of Corgy, Dinky
and Matchbox cars.
War Museum
The War Museum is packed with hardware, photographs
and memorabilia from World War II, ranging from the heroic Gloster Gladiator –
christened Faith, part of the trio of planes known as Faith, Hope and
Charity, to the George Cross, awarded to the Maltese people for their
bravery by King George VI in 1942.
Shopping
A good selection
of local and international brand shops can be found on Republic Street and
Merchants Street. There are also 4 shopping complexes: City Gate, located
in Freedom Square. Two shopping complexes can be found on Santa Lucia
Street, Embassy 3 and Brittania. The Savoy Complex is located on Republic
Street. Most of the outlets in Valletta open from 0900 to 1230 and 1600 to
1900 Mon to Sat.
Open Air
Market
Mostly clothes and
accessories, cheap souvenirs, religious icons, music cassettes, CDs, DVDs
and videos.
Sunday Flea
Market
This is a very
busy market, and although it gets frenzied at times, it is worth a visit.
Besides the usual market stuff there is an interesting collection of
bric-a-brac.
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About Malta
Introduction
Getting Around
Places to Visit
Valletta
The Three Cities
Mdina & Rabat
Gozo & Comino
Places of Interest
Historical Buildings & Gardens
Museums
Temple & Geological
Important Churches
Forts & Fortifications
Other Attractions
Shopping & Markets
Beaches & Bays
Nightlife & Theatre
Family Attractions
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