Valletta Travel

Set at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Valletta is one of the best preserved fortified cities in the world and one of the architectural showpieces of Europe. It was built by the Knights of St John immediately after the Great Siege of 1565, during which the vastly outnumbered knights turned back the might of the hitherto invincible Ottoman Empire and thus arguably saved Western Europe. Riches poured into Malta from grateful courts across the continent and much of this went into constructing the new city. The Turks never returned but in 1942 Malta once again took a fearful pounding from a vastly superior force the German Luftwaffe. Once again it held firm and thus helped shape world events for a second time in its history.

As cities go, Valletta is minute. It measures less than one square kilometre and you can walk across its widest point in less than 20 minutes. Within that space, however, shady atmospheric alleyways link grand squares, and glorious Baroque palazzi sit alongside bars and shopfronts that have hardly changed in over a century. Youll need good walking shoes and sturdy legs to explore as there are hundreds of steps and the only real way to get around is on foot. The city occupies a promontory, is enclosed by mighty bastions and curtain walls, and boasts magnificent sea views. In contrast to the tiny metropolis, Grand Harbour, until quite recently home to the British Navy, is the biggest, and arguably the most impressive harbour in all the Mediterranean.

Malta Tourism Authority

Address: Auberge D'Italie, Merchants Street, Valletta CMR 02, Malta

Email: info@visitmalta.com

Phone: +356 2291 5000