Valletta

Valletta is the capital city of Malta, located on a peninsula at the head of the Grand Harbour. It was founded by the Order of Saint John (the Knights Hospitaller) and named after Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette, who led the defense of Malta after the Great Siege of 1565. The city was designed as a fortified capital to guard the harbour and project the order’s authority.

Construction began in 1566 under the direction of the Maltese architect Girolamo Cassar. Valletta is laid out in a compact grid surrounded by bastioned fortifications, which form a defining feature of its urban and military heritage. The fortifications and civic buildings reflect a blend of Renaissance and Baroque influences, and the city became the capital of Malta in 1571, serving as the seat of government and residence of the Grand Masters.

Valletta contains numerous historic and cultural sites. St. John’s Co-Cathedral is renowned for its Baroque interiors and Caravaggio paintings. The Grand Master’s Palace (now the seat of the President and Parliament) and the Auberges of the Knights reflect the city’s administrative legacy. The National Museum of Archaeology and the Manoel Theatre are notable cultural institutions. Public spaces such as the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens overlook the Grand Harbour, and the City Gate and surrounding waterfront area illustrate the city’s evolving urban identity.

In 1980, Valletta was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved fortifications and Baroque cityscape. Today, Valletta remains Malta’s administrative and cultural capital, with a relatively small resident population and a significant role in tourism and national government.