Open In App

Capital of Malta

Improve
Improve
Like Article
Like
Save
Share
Report

Malta is a beautiful, small, and rich European country located in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and the North African Coast with its three islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino island. It is a lightly populated country with a population of around 533,286 in 2022 (as per the latest United States data) and its currency is the Euro. Malta is one of the favorite tourist destinations and film production places due to its warm climate and eye-catching landscape. It is believed that it is the oldest country with lots of old temples, like the Megalithic temple of Malta.

The capital of Malta is Valletta, which is a small walled city, established around the 1500s by the Knights of St.John, a Roman Catholic order.

Now, let’s deeply explore “Where is Valletta Malta on a map”

Valletta is a beautiful fortified capital of Malta which is located on Mount Sceberras, which runs like a tongue dividing the bay into two harbors, Marsamxett harbor to the west and Grand Harbor to the east. On 18 March 1571, Valletta was chosen as the capital of Malta, a fortified city comprising bastions, curtains, and cavaliers with an area of 0.61 square kilometers, making it the smallest capital city of the European Union with a population of around 5730 (2016). The city was named after St Jean Parisot de la Valletta (Grand Master of the order of Saint John). Valletta is known for its 320 monuments and making it a tourist attraction spot, adding to its glory in 1980 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city provides various high-level education courses to its students and the university of Malta is also situated here. People here on Valletta’s Island usually speak Maltese and English as their communication languages.

History of Valletta – Malta

The origin of Valletta city starts in 1524 when the Order of Saint John proposed to build a city on the Scriberras peninsula. Before that, there was only a small watchtower dedicated to the Erasmus of Formia (Saint Elmo) on the Scriberras (a family that owned land on the peninsula and later the people of Malta started using scriber as their last name) around 1488. Later, in 1552, Fort Saint Elmo was built in the place of the Aragonite watchtower. In 1565, Fort Saint put his weapons in front of the Ottomans and the Order of Saint came to protect the siege of Malta, the Grandmaster de Valletta started building a fortified city with the help of European kings and Princes and laid the first stone of foundation, which was later named as Our lady of Victories Church but his dream of making Valletta does not reach its endpoint as he died due to stroke. After the death of de Valletta, his dream was carried forward by his assistant, Girolamo Caser, and he designed the architecture of this beautiful city. In 1798, the French took over Valletta and in 1800 the British captured it by defeating the French. The city faced many ups and downs and finally, on 21 September 1964 Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom and become a free nation.

Geography

Valletta is a peninsular city and is situated between two natural harbors, the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett making it a country best for people who love both seasons, summers and winters. As none of the weather is much harsh and provides people with an amazing climate to live in. 

Valletta – Climate

Valletta is the sunniest city in Europe with mild winters and warm to hot summers. Its annual temperature is 23 degrees Celsius during the day and 16 degrees Celsius at night. Tourists can enjoy the cool breeze at Baraka garden with some cocktails and mocktails.

Valletta – Transport

When it comes to Valletta, it is completely realistic to explore many places in a short period due to its controlled traffic and lanes. Malta International Airport is 8 KM from Valletta in Luqa city. During British rule, trains were started in Valletta but it was officially closed in 1931 and buses became the only mode of transportation with their centers outside the city, principal roads are completely kept pedestrian, and also in 2006, a system of park and ride was implemented, according to which people park their private vehicle in a parking lawn made by government and use an electric van to move to rest of the city. Valletta has proper traffic rules, parking areas, and pedestrian lanes. 

Valletta – Economy 

Valletta is not an industrial city but it is a center for commercial and administrative purposes. Valletta Malta tourism is the primary source of income in the city. Also, the city is classified to be an advanced economy and considered a high-economy country by the World Bank. It is also a member of the European Union and since 1 January 2008 has formally adopted Euro as its currency. 

Valletta – Food and Drink

The city is best known for its rich taste of Italian food, which is good for enhancing your taste buds. The local street food on Strait Street is a must-try for tourists. If you are an Italian food lover, then Valetta is the place to go, as here, you are served generation-old recipes by Maltese-Italian chefs, one of the best food is peri-peri pasta accompanied with chilled beer. Valetta is known for its old wines. One can also taste traditional Maltese pastries with coffee or tea at the Caffe Codina, a famous cafe on Saint John’s Street.

Valletta – Culture

Valletta is considered the cultural capital of Europe, being the smallest city it has still kept its history alive. The city is every writer’s dream due to its amazing and breathtaking nature, architecture, history, etc. The city brings most of the cultures of Europe under one roof and gives all the travelers a fresh breath of air. Its buzzing nightlife, street entertainment, classical opera, and many other things are every tourist’s muse. 

Valletta – Famous Places

Arts & Culture of Malta is very famous and talking about Valletta, it is a hub of the prominent architecture of the city. One of the most important historical monuments of Valletta is St John Co-cathedral church, which was built by great Maltese architect Garolama Cassar between 1573-1578. Now, it is a conventional church of the Hospitaller order. The church is known for its beautiful painting by Mattie premia (a famous Maltese artist) and interior. The masterpiece in the church is The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist by the Caravaggio in the Oratory. There are 8 chapels in the church and the important ones to visit are the Chapel of the Langue of Aragon and the chapel of the Langue of Italy. There are many more monuments to visit, like the Palace of the Grand Master, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Royal Opera House, built in 2013, making great use of limestone.

Baraka Gardens

It is situated on the highest point of Valetta and is full of fountains, flowery rows, and a statue of the famous figure Wilson Churchill. There are various viewpoints in the park giving a perfect view of the Grand Harbor. There is a Saluting Battery, where members of the Malta Heritage Society in traditional uniform, perform a Gum Salute every day at noon to express respect for the Maltese military. The two beautiful gardens, upper and lower Baraka Gardens, give you a break from the pebble street and you can enjoy the natural beauty and click on some beautiful pictures for your gallery.

Grandmaster’s Palace and Armony

It is a beautiful monumental place at the center of the palace square. One part is reserved for presidential use and another is open for visitors as a museum. One can see a grand painting by the Grand Master Jean de Valletta, founder of Valetta City. The monument is decorated with gilded moldings, artwork, and beautiful paintings.

National Museum of Archeology

The museum is a living example of Baroque architecture with eye-catching paintings and wooden beam ceilings at the Grand Salon. The museum is known for its prehistoric collection, including pottery, ornaments, altars, statues, and paintings. There is a room of “sleeping beauty“, where a lady is sleeping on a couch, representing an expression from centuries ago.

Casa Roca Picola

If tourists want to visit the true Maltese culture, then one must go to this place, which is the home of an aristocratic Maltese family. The place contains two dining rooms, a bedroom, a salon, and a family chapel. The rooms are beautifully decorated with ancient Maltese traditions and there is a restaurant serving traditional Silicon cuisine that is open for breakfast and lunch.

Manoel Theater

It is one of the oldest theaters in Europe. This little theatre is known for its rich heritage and perfect look from all angles. It is an oval-shaped museum where one can enjoy music concerts and operas. It is decorated with gilded box seats and velvet chairs. If you want to enjoy the music of Valetta, then experience an evening performance in this traditional Manoel Theater.

Muza

It is a fine art museum representing the artwork of Malta from the 12 to 20th centuries. The renowned work of a famous Maltese artist, Mattia Preti, is presented here, which is a Baptism of Christ painting. Tourists can also see other important artwork by Italian artists like Guido Reni.

If one wants to travel Europe then Valetta deserves a chance to visit as it is full of natural beauty with traditional monuments and from the angle of safety, it is one of the safest countries in Europe being friendly and helpful citizens.



Last Updated : 22 Sep, 2023
Like Article
Save Article
Previous
Next
Share your thoughts in the comments
Similar Reads