Although Malta has been inhabited
since neolithic times, Valletta was founded in 1566 by
the Knights of St. John. At just half a square kilometer
in size, Valletta is Europe's smallest capital, but is
resplendent with fortresses, baroque palaces, stately
gardens, and a variety of photogenic residential
buildings. As the main tourist area, it serves as the hub for transportation to
other communities on the island, also highlighted on
this page.
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Valletta lies on a small peninsula with Marsamxett Harbour to
the west and the Grand Harbour to the east, across which can be
seen the
Three Cities. |
Heavily damaged in WW II, many parts of Malta were derelict. It
was the opening of the yacht harbour which started generating
the revenue to enable massive restoration and construction
projects.
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Valletta's City Gate Project in 2015 revitalized the Triton fountain,
restored the bridge
across the former moat, converted the Opera House to an open air
theater and constructed the
modern parliament building.
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From Valletta's two main pedestrianized
streets, Republic and Market, side alleys sloping steeply down to the
waterfront are full of delightful shops and restaurants. |
St. John's Co-Cathedral is the grandest sight in Valletta,
featuring eight ornate chapels
dedicated to the language groups of the Knights of Malta, and the entire
floor tiled with the tombs of the Grand Masters. |
MUSA is the National Art Gallery where stunning
paintings and sculptures by Maltese artists throughout
centuries are on display.
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The National War Museum at Fort St. Elmo describes Malta's long
history as a strategic site in the Mediterranean. From the Fort
can be viewed the modern developments of Sliema across the
Marsamxett Harbour.
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The Tagne Point area of Sliema is rapidly developing with modern
high-rise luxury apartments and high-end shopping malls. Its
viewpoint takes in Fort Monoel and Valletta. |
Our vacation rental was in Sliema, which together with St.
Julian constitutes Malta's main resort area, and provides easy
access by bus and ferry to other parts of Malta.
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Sliema has historically been an affluent
place to live. Along the shoreline of the "Sliema Front" on
Tower Road, a series of cut-outs in the limestone shelves
allowed residents to swim. |
The Three Cities, easily reached by ferry
or by traditional water-taxi dghajsa from Valletta, refers to the three
fortified cities of Vittoriosa (Burgu), Senglea (Isla) and
Bormla (Conspicua). |
Vittoriosa, existing since the Middle Ages, is a rich historical
area housing the Maritime Museum, Fort St. Angelo, the
Inquisitors' Palace, and various buildings associated with the
auberge of the Maltese Knights.
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A tradition of
public art adorning streets, plazas, store fronts and niches has been
maintained since the Grand Masters decreed that there be artwork
on every street corner.
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Gallarijas, enclosed wooden
balconies, often stacked above each other, are a prominent
feature of Maltese architecture oozing in antiquity and
tradition. |
Maltese buildings are also embellished
with il-habbat, elaborate door-knockers.
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The ancient Arabic fortified town of Mdina with its view
over the entire island, was the capital of
Malta for 2000 years. |
Malta is studded with archeological sites such as megalithic
temples and Roman ruins. In Rabat, there is a well-preserved Roman villa and St. Paul's
catacombs, an underground network of ancient burial chambers.
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Called the Silent City, Mdina is home to 300 families who still
live in ancestral medieval and baroque palazzos lining quaint
narrow streets.
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Adjoining the walls of Mdina is Rabat
which became home to many religious orders in the 15th Century
when the area served as a shelter from constant pirate attacks.
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During the French invasion of Malta in
1798, St. Paul's Bay became the main harbour of Malta. It,
including nearby Bugibba and Qawra, now forms a
rapidly-developing and densely populated suburb. |
St. Paul's Bay has become a popular
tourist destination, known for English language schools, an
active seafront promenade, and Malta's National Aquarium, with
its 51 tanks housing 250 species of fish.
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The fishing village of Marsaxlokk is known for its pretty
harbour full of luzza, brightly colored traditional
fishing boats adorned with eyes on their bows. A Sunday fish market attracts
many visitors and locals. |
From Marsaxlokk, boat excursions are available to view the
rugged shoreline, old salt pan mines, and the rock formation
"Hole in the Wall," and to take people to the crystal clear swimming
area, "St. Peter's Pool."
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