Valletta, Malta

 

Sailing into Valletta

View of Vittoriosa across
Grand Harbor from
Upper Barracks Gardens

While the island of Malta has been inhabited for millennia, the city of Valletta only dates back to the Great Siege of 1565, when Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette of the Knights of St John (and namesake of the city) began building a new city next to the existing Fort St Elmo, and encircling it with a wall for protection from the Turks.  It is believed that Valletta was the first planned city in Europe, evident by the grid street pattern.

Valletta Ramparts

Arriving at Valletta Malta by sea is an amazing experience.  The walled city and fortress lie to the north of the Grand Harbor, and the medieval town of Vittoriosa lies to the south.  It’s a 15-minute walk to the Triton Fountain, across from the main entrance to the walled city.  A giant trench was dug to separate the walled city from the rest of Malta, making a land attack nearly impossible (attacks by sea were hindered by the shear walls leading down to the water on this peninsula.  

Warehouses along the wharf

Gorge separating the walled city

Triton Fountain

Passing through the City Gate, the walled city stretches out before you along Republic Street, which is lined with shops and restaurants.  Valletta’s buildings are all constructed of local limestone, so maintain a consistent visual appeal.  Green shutters and boxed windows provide a splash of color.  

Republic Street

Republic Street

Rare "blue" shutters

St John's Co-Cathedral

St John’s Co-Cathedral (sharing the seat of the archbishop Mdina Cathedral – hence the “Co”) was built between 1573 and 1578, shortly after the defensive walls were completed around the city.  Frescoes on the ceiling and floor tiles depicting religious scenes reflect the Baroque design. 

St John's nave

 

St Paul Shipwreck

While much smaller in size, the Church of St Paul’s Shipwreck is more noteworthy.  In AD 60, St Paul was shipwrecked on Malta and brought Christianity to the island.  This 15th century church contains a reliquary with bones from the Saint’s wrist, and a portion of the column on which he was beheaded in Rome.  An impressive gilded statues of St Paul is carried through the streets his feast day of February 10.  

St Paul's beheading column

St Paul gilded statue

St Paul wrist reliquary

Lower Barracks Doric Temple

Along the southern wall of the city, overlooking the Grand Harbor, are two parks.  The Lower Barrakka (Barracks) Gardens contain a Doric template commemorating Sir Alexander Ball, the British naval captain who led the capture of Malta from the French in 1800.  The Upper Barrakka Gardens is surrounded by a colonnade and has fantastic views of the harbor and Vittoriosa.  

Maltese platter

We had drinks at Manouche on the square in front of St. John's Co-Cathedral, great break during a very hot day.  For lunch we had delicious Maltese specialties comprised of peppered gbejna, marinated sausage, marinated black olives, white beans, sun-dried tomatoes, bigilla dip, and two breads (xiklun and galletti).  Maltese lager was very good, the local white wine was adequate.  

Carmelite Basilica

Santa Katerina

 

  

 

Triq Mellita

Old Bakery Street