Valletta is the capital city of Malta, named after Jean Parisot de La Valette, the famed Grandmaster of the Knights of the Order of St John who commissoned its construction right after the victory in the Great Siege of 1565.
With Valletta recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage City since 1980, the recent past years have proven to be a revival for the city based on a multi-year regeneration programme. Investment both within and outside of the city walls led to the development of new infrastructural projects, the restoration of public spaces and buildings, and a multitude of events available day and night, amongst the capital’s iconic hotspots.
The re-modelled City Gate with the restored Triton Fountain, the elegant Parliament building just inside the gate, along with a flight of steps in the 16th century walls, lead to garden areas with panoramic views of the fortifications and a newly landscaped moat acting as an outdoor performance space.
The extension and modernization of St. John’s Co-Cathedral Museum will finally allow nearly all of the priceless artefacts to be adequately displayed, including the world’s largest set of Gobelin tapestries.
Additionally, the move of the Fine Arts Museum to the 15th century Auberge d’Italie, known as MUŻA seeks to promote greater participation by the community through a story-based narrative of displays and related objects.
The revival of Strait Street with its historic dwellings previously the residences of the Knights of the Order and Maltese notables have been given a new life.
Nightlife both in Valletta itself and in neighbouring towns and villages, and mild climate throughout the year are attracting locals and visitors alike. There are plenty of exciting activities going on around the Capital and the Islands to warrant an encore visit, and to surprise you if you haven’t visited yet.
