Valletta, Capital City

Valletta, named after its founder, Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Vallette was built by the Knights of St John after the victory of the Knights and the Maltese over the Ottoman Turks in the Great Siege of Malta 1565. Francesco Lapparelli who designed the new city of Valletta followed contemporary Renaissance state of the art urban design as reflected in its gridiron layout, the fortifications, the buildings as well as in its land use. The Maltese architect Girolmu Cassar designed many of the first buildings. Valletta marked the beginning of a golden era for Malta in terms of culture, architecture and the arts. The buildings of Valletta, its fortifications and the artistic treasures in its churches are the work of the best European engineers and artists of the time. As the threat of an Ottoman invasion decreased, particularly due to the strengthening of fortifications around the harbour areas, Valletta prospered and subsequently experienced gradual changes in its urban texture. From Mannerist architecture new buildings in Valletta were built in the more flamboyant Baroque and Rococo styles. The Order of St. John was expelled from Malta in 1798 by Napoleon. In 1800 the French were ousted by the British who retained Malta till 1964. During the 19th and early 20th centuries the British further adorned Valletta with Neoclassical buildings and gardens and introduced a number of engineering projects for industry and port related activities reflecting the rapid change in technology and commerce of the Industrial era. As many European cities, Valletta experienced devastation by aerial bombardment during the WWII, losing several of its most significant buildings. The post-war buildings are of very plain architecture. During the 1960s the 19th century fortified Porta Reale and the fabric behind it were demolished and rebuilt in the then passé Rational style. The remains of the Neoclassical Royal Opera House at the entrance of Valletta remains a testimony of the grandeur of Valletta at the beginning of the 20th century and a memorial of the WWII. Just outside the 'City Gate' to Valletta is the Triton Fountain designed by the Maltese sculpture Vincent Apap in 1959. Here is the main public transport terminus from where one may take a ride on the local buses to visit other parts of the island. Visitors may find Valletta ideal for self-exploration of architectural works, squares, vistas, and experiences. The city's backbone is Republic Street, which runs straight through the city centre to Fort St. Elmo. Valletta has several narrow, steep side streets adorned with traditionally Maltese timber balconies and statues at almost every street corner. Valletta is a busy administrative, commercial and residential city, particularly in the morning, while very quite during the evening. Amongst the magnificent buildings one finds numerous shops, cafes, and restaurants to refresh and relax.

Further information on Valletta is available from the Malta Tourism Authority website - www.visitmalta.com

Places of Interest
§ Museum of Archeology
§ National Museum of Fine Arts
§ St.James Cavalier
§ The Palace
§ St. John's Co-Cathedral
§ St. John's Co-Cathedral museum
§ Armoury
§ Upper Barakka Gardens

 

Vittoriosa

Vittoriosa is the oldest of the 'three cities' in the Maltese Islands and was previously known as Il Borgo. Its sheltered setting on one of the headlands of the Grand Harbour, offer security to the creeks of the Grand Harbours of Malta It is not known when the Vittoriosa peninsula was first settled into, but some archeological evidence indicate that the area was in some use by the Roman period, possibly earlier. In the 9th century AD the Arabs fortified the area and erected a castle at the tip of the peninsula. In the 13th century the Castrum Maris (now Fort St. Angelo) dominated the harbour and Il Borgo assumed the the role of a fortress as a seat of government and arsenal for the Order's fleet. In 1565 Il Borgo and Fort St. Angelo acted as the stronghold from where the Knights repelled a four - month siege by the Ottoman Turks. Subsequently Il Borgo was re-named Citta Vittoriosa. However, in 1571 the Headquarters of the Knights were transferred from Vittoriosa to Valletta, but Vittoriosa still retained its role as an important naval base for the Order, and where the Inquisitor had his palace After the departure of the Knights in the late eighteenth century, Vittoriosa flourished under British rule due to the growth of the naval sector. However, the Second World War dealt a severe blow to Vittoriosa, as the area is surrounded with dockyards and therefore was a prime target, suffering from intensive bombing parts of which were destroyed. During the Second World War experienced a mass population exodus, who sought safer areas. After the war Vittoriosa was subject to widespread reconstruction particularly in the social housing stock. Moreover, the pre war economic stability and gentrified society of Vittoriosa experienced a sudden decline. Due to the extensive damage and urgent need to accommodate the homeless post-war reconstruction paid little attention to the surviving historic fabric. Significant buildings were incompatibly adapted into workshops or divided into smaller houses. During the past decade there were attempts to redevelop Vittoriosa's Waterfront. A current project is underway and includes the construction of a hotel, a health center, residential apartments, a casino, catering establishments, retail outlets, offices, a commercial and cultural complex and a 500- berth marina. Some feel that Vittoriosa's historical character would be altered and the proposed buildings are not compatible with the surrounding environment. However,many have argued that the great historical and cultural value of Vittoriosa has been overlooked for far too long.

Further information on Cottonera is available from the Malta Tourism Authority website - www.visitmalta.com

Places of Interest
§ Couvre Porte
§ Maritime Museum
§ The Collachio Quarter
§ Bishop's Palace
§ The Inquisitor's Palace