In this article, we will give you a brief travel guide to the famous city of Valletta, including a list of suggestions for places to visit while on the Maltese Islands. However, first, we will give some details about the Maltese Islands.

Malta is made up of a set of islands located in the central Mediterranean Sea. Although most people see Malta as being a popular “sun and sea” holiday destination, increasingly, travellers from all over are discovering the country’s rich history and culture. Among the many amazing landmarks in Malta, Valletta is a particular gem of a city. It may be Europe’s smallest capital, but it’s certainly not short on charm and has a lot to offer so it will take centre stage in this article.. 

Victoria Gate, Valletta, Malta

Victoria Gate is a city gate named after Queen Victoria in Valletta, Malta. It was built by the British in 1885 and replaced the old “Porta del Monte” (named after one of the Grand Masters). This replacement occurred due to the fact that Marina street was one of the busiest streets at the time, and there was a growing need for a bigger gate. 

Although this is not the main city gate, it is the main gate from the Grand Harbour and has made a stunning addition to the area. Definitely worth visiting.

National War Museum

For history buffs out there, the National War Museum is one of the top places of interest and one of the most popular museums in Malta. This is a must-see war museum as it represents Malta’s important military role under British rule as well as the crucial role Malta played during both of the World Wars. 

It houses a superb collection of artefacts that go back to prehistoric times. Among the most notable artefacts in the museum, one can find the military armour of Malta’s award for gallantry, the George Cross, Order of St John and the Ottoman Turks, and so on.

St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta, Malta

A stay in Malta‘s capital is definitely not complete without a visit to St John’s Co-Cathedral Malta. Commissioned in 1572, this is a Roman Catholic co-cathedral dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and it is considered one of the finest examples of high Baroque architecture in Europe.

It is important that one is not fooled by the simplicity of its exterior. St. John’s Cathedral has a lot to offer. The Cathedral consists of nine eloquently decorated chapels on either side; eight were constructed for each of the languages of the Knights of St John, and the ninth is dedicated to the patron saint of all the knights – Our Lady of Philermos.

The co-Cathedral also holds a number of impressive Baroque frescos, stunning statues, ornate marble floors, and beautifully painted vaulted ceilings adorned by the well-known Italian Baroque artist, Mattia Preti. Interestingly, the floor is also covered with memorials for the dead knights with colourful inlaid marble. Apart from this, the Co-Cathedral oratory is also home to one of the most internationally recognized paintings known as ‘The Beheading of St John the Baptist’ by Caravaggio. This is exceptional as it is the only painting which contains his signature. 

Stay with Us

Without a doubt, you should definitely visit the city of Valletta. You can even book a room at 1926 La Galerie to be at the centre of this bustling city. Here you will see that this hotel was very heavily inspired by La Vallette who is the grandmaster that the city is named after. Contact us on reservations@1926collection.com to book or for more information.

Valletta is the fortified capital city of Malta, and a World Heritage site. This is a stunning city and would make for a fascinating trip for any history buffs out there. This is because, the first thought that comes to mind when thinking of this city is that it is a place which is steeped in rich history spanning hundreds of years, across the many leaders and military powers who have been in control of the islands over the years.

Knights of St. John

This capital city came into existence thanks to the Knights of St John, under Grandmaster Jean Parisot de la Valette who came to Malta at around 1530. Interestingly Malta was the very first place the Order could call home after numerous years of wandering the Mediterranean in the name of Christianity.

This famous city came about because La Valette, who was the grandmaster at the time quickly realised that if the Order was going to retain its grasp on Malta, it had to build adequate defenses. Hence, he drew up a plan for a late Renaissance Valletta, Malta, consisting of a grid system within fortified and bastioned city walls, on what was a mostly vacant lot in between the island’s two natural harbours, known as the Marsamxett and Valletta harbours.

The new city was to be called Valletta in honour of the grandmaster La Valette. What’s extremely interesting about Valletta is that it came to resemble an Italian religious community, as well as aspects of North African and Ottoman influences that the knights had seen on their journeys.

For centuries, this new city has been known for its deep moats and impenetrable bastions which were a point of great strategic importance. It is also truly a treasure trove of architectural splendour containing a vast array of elaborate baroque buildings, lush palaces, majestic fortifications, magnificent churches, grand theatres and striking gardens.

The British Era

The second significant power to take control of Malta was the British, who came at around 1800. They too left their stamp on the island and this was a very momentous era in Maltese history. Malta became an important part of the British Empire due to its strategic position in the region, and because it was the first step in Britain’s expansion to the East. This is because it is no secret that Malta played a vital role in the Mediterranean theatre of war. The British Empire ruled over Malta for over 150 years, so it is no surprise that a large proportion of Maltese culture has been British overtones. As a result, the British legacy still lives on in many elements of daily life in Malta today. Walking through the capital, Valletta, you’ll come across shops and cafes with British names that date back to last century. Interestingly, although the main boulevards and churches look unmistakably Italian, the corners tend to consist  of red English phone boxes or mail boxes.

Book a Suite

Visit 1926 La Galerie in Malta to get a closer look at Valletta, and a chance to experience the beauty of this city. Contact us on reservations@1926collection.com to book or for more information.