Valetta

THE CITY OF VALETTA

Valletta is the capital city of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt (The city) in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta. Valetta was named after Jean Parisot de la Valette, a French nobleman who had joined the Order of St. John who succeeded in defending the island from an Ottoman invasion in 1565.

The Maltese capital Valetta was founded by the Knights Order of St. John of Jerusalem, in 1568. They ruled from here for two and a half centuries and created a late Renaissance city (within city walls to withstand the Turks). The city has preserved this original feature very well. Valletta contains buildings from the 16th century onwards, built during the rule of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem (the Knights Hospitaller). The city is essentially Baroque in character, with elements of Mannerist, Neo-Classical and Modern architecture in selected areas, though World War II left major scars on the city. The City of Valletta was officially recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980.

Located on a peninsula Valletta boasts two excellent harbours: Marsamxett Harbour and the Grand Harbour. The temperate Maltese Islands have long been a major tourist destination. The 400-year-old Port of Valletta is a World Heritage City that offers many attractions.

THE PORT OF VALETTA

The entity authorised to act as Cargo Terminal Operator within the Port of Valletta is the Valletta Gateway Terminals Ltd. The company is the Malta Maritime Authority's contractor carrying out cargo handling operations. Passenger handling facilities in Valletta  are organised by the Valletta International Sea Terminals (VISET), a private consortium mainly made up of foremost local enterprises but also including participation from several International companies.

TRANSPORT IN VALETTA

Malta's public transport system, which uses buses, operates mostly on routes to or from Valletta, with their central terminus just outside the city's entrance. Traffic within the city itself is restricted, with some principal roads being completely pedestrian areas.

In 2006, a park and ride system was implemented in order to increase the availability of parking spaces in the vicinity of the city. People can leave their personal vehicles in a nearby Floriana parking lot and transfer to a van for the rest of the trip, which takes a mere few minutes.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN VALETTA

Valetta is a World Heritage city. Needless to say there are numerous historic sites and attractions to visit.  Eye catchers in this wonderful and beautiful city are the extensive fortifications and the magnificent Grand Harbour. Other not-to-be-missed sites are the Saluting Battery, the Palace of the Grand Master, the Great Siege of Malta attraction and the impressive Lascaris War Rooms.

For those who want to learn how to fire a cannon, the Upper Barakka Gardens and the Saluting Battery are the place to visit.  Visitors learn all about how to load the cannons, and a distressing insight into the life of an 18th century naval gunner. The Saluting Battery offers tours every day.

Malta wouldn’t be Malta as we know it today without the Knights of St John. This order was also known as the Knights Hospitaller and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Its origin dates back to the time of the crusades but is now based in Rome. In the 16^th century they obtained Malta and organized it as their base before being evicted by Napoleon in the 19th century. The Palace of the Order’s Grand Master is now occupied by the Parliament of Malta

Another famous attraction in Valetta is the “Great Siege of Malta”. This re-enactment of the Siege on Republic Square is mounted with good sound and light effects and is very entertaining. In 1565 the largely outnumbered knights held out against the strong and superior Turkish army.

The Lascaris War Rooms. Malta was heavily bombed during World War II when it tried to hold out against the Italian fascists. The Maltese strategy to withstand the enemy was organised the Lascaris War Rooms. This underground complex was used by the Knights of St John in past times and is now an exhibition space where visitors can see what wartime in Malta meant.

The St John's Co-Cathedral belongs to the largest and grandest churches in Europe. Built in the 16^th century, the prayer house has a spectacular floor laid almost entirely with some 400 marble tombstones dedicated to the Knights of St John. The walls and ceiling are covered with extravagant and impressive frescoes.

The small star-shaped fort of St Elmo is the site where the fiercest and bloodiest battle of the Great Siege of Malta was fought. There are daily guided tours.

The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is an interesting prehistoric temple. The word “Hypogeum” stands for ‘underground chamber’. The temple is still in excellent state and shows an insight in Malta’s old temple culture.