Valletta – the island's capital...
A city built by Gentlemen for Gentlemen
Architecturally superb, Malta s capital city Valletta was built by the Order of St. John after the Great Siege of 1565. Foundations were laid in 1566 and the plan was to build an impregnable fortress containing a civilised, elegant city. In fact, one of the most significant aspects of Valletta is that it was arthritically planned from scratch on the virgin land of the Sceberras peninsula that lies between Marsamxett Harbour and the Valletta Grand Harbour.
It was the most strategic position on the island, the one most coveted by the Turks during the great siege. Grand Master La Valette made it for him for all time. For this reason, Valletta is literally overflowing with palaces, churches, monuments and works of art.
Today it may be the commercial hub of the island, but it has retained all of its historical and architectural charm.