Hotels in Valletta
What to see by foot: Valletta
 
Valletta is a cornucopia of European art and architecture and offers a wealth
of museums, restaurants, and shopping opportunities. Malta's tiny capital is
an odd blend of Mediterranean influences and this 'City of the Knights' remains
virtually intact; its streets are flanked by palaces and tiny old-world shops,
and are easily explored on foot.
Given to the Knights Templar as reward for their part in the Crusades, Malta
has benefited from a wealthy legacy of nobility and royal wealth, and it is
certainly reflected in Valletta. The elaborately decorated St John's Cathedral
was built between 1573 and 1577 during the reign of Grand Master Jean de la
Cassiere. St John's, which was the Order's conventual's church, was accorded
co-Cathedral status (the main Cathedral being the one at Mdina) by Pope Pius
VII, in 1816.
Nearby the Auberge de Provence in Republic Street is the present home of the
National Museum of Archaeology. Here you will find an array of archaeological
remains from the numerous prehistoric temples in Malta and Gozo, together with
remains of the Bronze Age and of the Roman period in these islands.
Valletta boasts two impressive harbours: Marsamxett Harbour and the Grand Harbour.
A visit to this wonderful city would be incomplete without a tour of its fortifications.
A typical tour of the city's fortified perimeter would start outside the City
Gate with its deep ditches and enormous bastions on either side. From there,
proceed on the Marsamxett side and down Great Siege Road where St Michael's
Bastion rises at the extreme western point of Valletta and, where the walls
attain their highest altitude at St. Andrew's Bastion.
Continue on past the Valletta Water Polo Pitch and German, English and French
curtains to Fort St Elmo. This Fort is embraced by St Gregory's Bastion, Alexander
Ball Bastion and the Abercrombie's Curtain. St Peter and St James Curtains join
with St John's Bastion, followed by St John's Curtain. A glance at St John's
and St James' massive Cavalier Towers rounds up the tour of this sturdy defensive
belt which guards the City of the Knights.
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