Vallette, The Smallest European Capital
Malta is one of the tiniest countries in Europe in the Mediterranean . The country has an area of about 316 square kilometers. It consists of the following islands : Malta, Gozo, Comino and some uninhabited islands as well. The country is a popular destination in Europe and famous for its a lot of temples, prehistoric archaeological sites, caves and numerous festivals, which are held in honor of the patron saint of Malta.
The capital of Malta is Valletta with about 10000 inhabitants, also the smallest EU capital. It is situated in the north and is surrounded by bastions , which served the city for defense . A visit to the city is an absolute obligation . The old fortress tower over the city was built by the Knights of St John who planned the city as a refuge to take care of injured soldiers and pilgrims during the Crusades in the 16th century . After the successful battle against the Ottomans in 1565 the fortress walls formed the foundation for a fully designed city. Even today, Valletta has lost none of its former charm. Tourists can have a kilometer long city walk completely as it is just one kilometer long and 500 feet wide. But these numbers do not harm the attractiveness of Valletta. On the contrary visitors can fully discover Valletta by walking and not get lost. Cars must stay largely outside.
Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage and is popular for its historic cafés, restaurants, banks, hotels and government buildings.
Mostly Valletta is divided by the Grand Harbour and the Marsamxett Harbour from its the cities nearby . Through the gate of the city built in the 1960s, you enter inside the venerable knight city. The backbone of Valletta, Republic Street starts from here right down to the tip of the peninsula. Valletta’s most notable places lie here, like the Grand Master’s Palace and as well as the St. John’s Co-Cathedral, fancy shops and some of the few outdoor cafes in the city. Side streets end at the two ports. Each visit Valletta is not complete without a glimpse of the walls and bastions at the two ports – and without a harbor tour. You can take a ride from the city of Sliema with tour boats or from the Valletta Waterfront with traditional boat taxis. If you step on the walls seen from the water, you can appreciate the valor and the astonishing construction work of the people. You should not forget that Valletta was bombed in World War II and was later rebuilt .
Valletta’s story does not only come to life in museums, but also in the St. John’s Co-Cathedral. Even someone who is not enthusiastic about churches should not miss this house of God . It is a work of art that nobody would suspect outside the walls of Rome . The Cathedral is a showcase to Mattia Preti who intricately carved stone wall designs, as well as the painted vaulted ceiling and side altars with scenes from the life of St John. Among the treasures found in the Cathedral are the unique Caravaggio painting depicting the beheading of St John, the extraordinary paving of more than 300 marble tomb slabs of many sons of European nobility houses and the Grand Masters of Malta.
Not far from the cathedral lies Villa Casa Rocca Piccola. The ninth Marquis de Piro lives here whose family owns the house for generations. The 400 year old building is situated in Republic Street and it is a treasure chest of the city. Because the Marquis does not use all 50 rooms, travelers can visit many of them.
Also in Republic Street the Archaeological Museum exhibits the oldest findings. The Museum displays an exceptional array of artifacts from Malta’s unique prehistoric periods, starting with the first arrival of man in the Ghar Dalam phase (5200 BC) and running up to the Tarxien phase (2500 BC) . The collection is housed in the Auberge de Provence, one of the first buildings to be erected after the Great Siege in the late 16th century.
Malta and its capital, Valletta is authentic . The Maltese have their culture with and without tourists. The small country is young and has recently become the part of the European Union. This makes traveling simple: no passport, no money exchanged, just fly away within Europe. This applies to the country all year round : there is no halt at winter time. Malta accommodation, restaurants and clubs are open all year round.
This applies to Valletta accommodation as well. All the hotels and private accommodation have European standards and affordable prices.
Malta is an island that offers something for everyone , whether young or old , be it sports on the a lot of golf courses, beach holiday on the beach or hiking on the trail of the past. A holiday to Malta is worth visiting in any case.
