A visit to Valetta

Valetta, which is the capital of Malta, has the charm of an Italian city with its many Baroque palaces set on narrow steep streets that form a grid pattern. The city was carefully planned by its founder, Grand Master Fra Jean de la Vallette and the Knights of the Order of St John. The city was 'built by gentlemen for gentlemen' with the first stone being ceremonially laid in 1566 after Ottoman forces withdrew their siege of the Maltese Islands and the Knights of St John took over. The purpose of the city, built in a short span of 15 years on a plateau between two harbours on Malta's northeast coast, was primarily to fortify the island and secondly to provide palaces, Auberges (lodgings) for the eight Knight's groupings (Langues), churches for worship and gardens for recreation. The remnants of the Knight's occupation today characterise Valetta in the form of some splendid Baroque buildings and fortifications, but the majestic architecture manages not to overwhelm the island's carefree personality.

Today you can enjoy a horse drawn cariage ride around the city before exploring the narrow streets and passageways yourself...

Attractions Lascaris War Rooms

Valletta suffered a great deal of damage during bombing raids in the Second World War. The Battle of Malta and other events involving the islands during the early years of the war are featured in a series of 17th century tunnels, which were turned into a military operations complex during the war. The complex has been restored and now acts as a museum, with charts, models and dioramas.

Malta Experience

A dramatic presentation that illustrates the history of Malta, from Neolithic to modern times, can be enjoyed at the Mediterranean Conference Centre at St. Elmo's bastion in Valletta. This building itself has been impressively restored, having been built by the Knights in the 1500s as a hospital. The wards, which are great sweeping halls with vaulted ceilings and marble floors, now serve as exhibition areas. A modern theatre has been added where the Malta Experience audio-visual show is offered in 10 languages.

National Museum of Archaeology

The archaeological museum on Republic Street is housed in one of the inns of the Knights of St John, the Auberge de Provence. The museum's focus on Malta’s prehistory includes displays such as the reconstruction of prehistoric remains found at Hypogeum. Items such as pottery, sculptures, statuettes, stone implements and jewellery from the prehistoric, megalithic and temple-building periods are featured, as well as some Punic and Roman tomb furniture. All the exhibits were found on excavations across the Maltese islands.

Palace of the Grand Masters

The Grand Master's palace, built around 1571, today serves as the office of the President and seat of the Maltese Parliament. The palace is a treasure house of art, from the unique collection of Gobelin Tapestries to frescoes depicting the Great Siege of 1565 by Perez d'Aleccio that cover the walls of the Halls of St Michael and St George. Visitors can also view the armoury and state apartments, which are adorned with friezes describing the history of the Order of St John.

St John's Co-Cathedral

Valetta's magnificent medieval cathedral is famous for the painting by Caravaggio, which hangs in its oratory, and the 369 inlaid mosaic marble tombstones that cover its floor. Each tombstone depicts the lives of the Grand Masters of the Order of St John, buried beneath. The façade is rather severe and militaristic, but inside the cathedral is lavishly splendid in the grandest tradition of high Baroque, with every inch of wall covered by carving, while the vaulted ceiling sports paintings depicting the life of St John the Baptist, patron saint of the Knights.

Events

Springtime is carnival time in Malta. Carnival week with its traditional boisterous revelry, is centred in the capital Valletta. Carnival includes extravagant gaudy floats, fancy dress, and some wild nightlife in the Paceville club area. Other towns and villages across the island also celebrate their own version of carnival. The tradition started in 1560, when a massed Christian armada became harbour-bound in Malta and some jollification ashore ensued. 12 - 16 February 2010

Malta International (MLA)Location: The airport is situated three miles (5km) southeast of Valetta.

Exploring the island of Malta from Valetta is cheap and easy if you travel by bus from the main bus station in Valetta