Valletta, Malta

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Valletta, Malta

Region: Valletta is located in the municipality of Valletta


Geographic Coordinates: 35.898300, 14.512500
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 30.0°C (50°F to 86°F)
Climate: Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters.
Population: 480134
Language: Maltese

Valletta is the capital city of Malta, A small island nation located in the Mediterranean Sea. The city was founded in the 16th century by the Knights Hospitaller, Who were a Catholic military order. Today, Valletta is known for its stunning architecture, Rich history and vibrant cultural scene. One of the most striking features of Valletta is its impressive fortifications. The city walls were built to protect against invasion and are considered some of the best-preserved examples of Baroque military architecture in Europe.

Visitors can explore these walls on foot or take a guided tour to learn more about their history. Valletta is also home to many beautiful churches and cathedrals, Including St John’s Co-Cathedral which was built by the Knights Hospitaller in 1577. This stunning building boasts an ornate interior with intricate carvings and paintings by famous artists such as Caravaggio. In addition to its historic landmarks, Valletta has a bustling cultural scene with numerous museums and galleries showcasing Maltese art and culture.

The National Museum of Archaeology houses an impressive collection of artifacts dating back to prehistoric times while MUŻA (the Malta National Community Art Museum) showcases contemporary art from local artists. Foodies will love exploring Valletta’s culinary scene which offers a mix of traditional Maltese dishes as well as international cuisine influenced by Malta’s diverse cultural heritage. Fresh seafood is widely available at local restaurants along with delicious pastizzi (flaky pastry filled with ricotta or peas) which are popular street food snacks.

no visit to Valletta would be complete without taking in some spectacular views from one of its many vantage points such as Upper Barrakka Gardens or St Elmo Bay. From here visitors can enjoy panoramic views over Grand Harbour and watch boats come and go from this busy port town. Overall, Valletta is a fascinating city with a rich history and vibrant culture that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historic landmarks, Sampling local cuisine or simply taking in the stunning views, This charming city is sure to leave a lasting impression.



Important Landmarks

  1. St. John’s Co-Cathedral
  2. Upper Barrakka Gardens
  3. Grandmaster’s Palace
  4. National Museum of Archaeology
  5. Casa Rocca Piccola
  6. The Malta Experience
  7. Valletta Waterfront
  8. Fort St Elmo
  9. Manoel Theatre
  10. Lascaris War Rooms

Primary Industries

  1. Tourism: Valletta is a popular tourist destination due to its rich history, architecture, and cultural attractions.
  2. Financial services: Malta has become a hub for financial services with banking, insurance, and investment management being some of the key areas.
  3. Information technology: The IT industry is growing in Malta with many companies offering software development and IT outsourcing services.
  4. Shipping and logistics: Valletta’s strategic location in the Mediterranean makes it an important hub for shipping and logistics companies.
  5. Manufacturing: The manufacturing sector in Malta includes pharmaceuticals, electronics, textiles, food processing, among others.
  6. Construction: With ongoing development projects such as the City Gate project and the new Parliament building complex underway in Valletta there are many opportunities within construction.
  7. Education & Research – Several universities located around Valletta offer courses on various subjects like law or business administration attracting international students from all over Europe making education one of its major industries too.
  8. Healthcare – Healthcare is also one of the significant industries with several hospitals located around this city providing medical facilities to locals as well as tourists visiting here for medical tourism purposes.
  9. Retail – Retail shops have been established throughout the city catering to both locals & tourists alike offering everything from souvenirs to high-end fashion brands making retail another significant industry within this city.
  10. Real Estate – Real estate has been booming over recent years with more people looking at investing their money into property especially since citizenship by investment programs were introduced by Maltese government attracting foreign investors who want residency rights in Europe but at affordable prices compared to other countries like Spain or Portugal etc..’

Noteable History

  1. The Great Siege of Malta (1565): This was a major battle between the Ottoman Empire and the Knights Hospitaller that lasted for four months. The Ottomans were ultimately defeated, making this victory one of the most crucial in Maltese history.
  2. Jean Parisot de Valette: He was a French nobleman who served as Grand Master of the Order of Saint John from 1557 until his death in 1568. He supervised the construction of Valletta, which was named after him.
  3. St John’s Co-Cathedral: This is one of Valletta’s most famous landmarks, built by the Knights Hospitaller in honor of St John the Baptist.
  4. Caravaggio: The famous Italian artist spent time in Malta during his exile from Rome in 1607-1608. He painted several works while on the island, including The Beheading of St John which can be seen at St John’s Co-Cathedral.
  5. World War II: Valletta played an essential role during World War II as it was heavily bombed by Axis forces due to its strategic location.
  6. Independence Day (21 September): On this day in 1964, Malta gained independence from British rule after over 150 years as a British colony.
  7. Popeye Village: This village was initially constructed as a film set for Popeye (1980), but has since been turned into an amusement park that attracts tourists from all over the world.
  8. The Mediterranean Conference Centre: Built inside an old hospital dating back to 1574, this centre hosts conferences, concerts and other cultural events throughout the year.

Overall, Valletta is steeped in history with many notable events and people associated with it.


Museums and Things To See

  1. St. John’s Co-Cathedral: A beautiful Baroque cathedral with stunning artwork and architecture.
  2. Upper Barrakka Gardens: A lovely public garden with panoramic views of the Grand Harbour.
  3. National Museum of Archaeology: An extensive collection of prehistoric artifacts, including the famous Sleeping Lady figurine.
  4. Valletta Waterfront: A picturesque promenade lined with restaurants, shops, and historic buildings.
  5. Fort St Elmo: A 16th-century fortification that played a key role in Malta’s history.
  6. Casa Rocca Piccola: An elegant 16th-century palace that offers guided tours showcasing its impressive art collection and ornate furnishings.
  7. Manoel Theatre: One of Europe’s oldest working theaters, dating back to 1731.
  8. Lascaris War Rooms: An underground complex used during World War II as a strategic operations center for Allied forces in the Mediterranean theater.
  9. The Malta Experience: A multimedia presentation providing an overview of Malta’s rich history and culture.
  10. Grand Master’s Palace State Rooms: Lavishly decorated rooms once used by the Knights Hospitaller during their rule over Malta from 1530 to 1798.


Sports Teams

  1. Valletta FC: Established in 1943, Valletta FC is one of the most successful football clubs in Malta. They have won an impressive 25 league titles and 14 FA Trophies.
  2. Floriana FC: Founded way back in 1894, Floriana FC is the oldest football club in Malta and has an incredible record of success with 26 league titles and 20 FA Trophies to their name.
  3. Sliema Wanderers FC: Another highly successful football club from Valletta, Sliema Wanderers FC was founded in 1909 and has won the league title seven times along with eight FA Trophies.
  4. Valletta United Water Polo Club: This water polo club was established in 1950 and has enjoyed numerous national championship victories over the years.
  5. St Patrick’s Athletic F.C.: Although based in Dublin, Ireland, St Patrick’s Athletic F.C. played their home matches at Ta’ Qali’s National Stadium during the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds of the 2010-2011 season due to their own stadium being unavailable for use at that time.
  6. Valletta Lions RFC: The rugby union team was founded by a group of expatriates living on Malta who were keen to establish a rugby culture on an island where it had not existed before. Their first competitive match was against Cisk Lager RFC (now Kavallieri RFC) which they lost but since then they became one of best Rugby Union teams on Maltese islands winning many cups and leagues over years.


Cultural Events

  1. Valletta International Baroque Festival is a celebration of Baroque music, art, and architecture that takes place in January/February.
  2. The Malta Jazz Festival is an annual jazz festival held in July featuring local and international artists.
  3. Notte Bianca is a night-long cultural event held in October that features art exhibitions, live music performances, and other cultural activities.
  4. The Malta Arts Festival is a multidisciplinary arts festival held in July featuring theatre, dance, music, and visual arts performances.
  5. The Feast of St John’s Eve is celebrated on June 23rd with fireworks displays and traditional Maltese food.
  6. Carnival Week is a week-long celebration before Lent with parades, costumes, and street parties.
  7. During December traditional Christmas markets are set up around the city selling gifts, food items and decorations.
  8. Holy Week Processions take place during Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday as part of religious celebrations.
  9. The Valletta Film Festival occurs annually showcasing both local and international films in June.
  10. The Valletta Green Festival promotes sustainable living through workshops on gardening techniques, composting, etc., as well as eco-friendly products for sale by local vendors over three days.

Cuisine

  • Pastizzi is a popular Maltese snack made of pastry filled with either ricotta or mushy peas.
  • Rabbit Stew is a traditional Maltese dish that consists of rabbit, wine, garlic, and vegetables.
  • Ħobż biż-żejt is a Maltese sandwich made with crusty bread, tomatoes, olives, tuna or anchovies and olive oil.
  • Ftira is a pizza-like dish that is often topped with tomatoes, capers and olives.
  • Lampuki Pie is a savory pie filled with lampuki fish (also known as mahi-mahi), spinach and onions.
  • Ta’ Kris Restaurant is a family-run restaurant that serves traditional Maltese dishes such as rabbit stew and bragioli (beef olives).
  • Legligin Wine Bar is a cozy wine bar serving tapas-style dishes using local ingredients such as goat cheese from Gozo and honey from Mellieħa.
  • The Harbour Club offers fresh seafood dishes along with stunning views of the harbor in Grand Harbour Marina.
  • Cafe Cordina – One of Malta’s oldest cafes that serves pastries such as cannolis alongside coffee drinks like cappuccinos and lattes.
  • Terrone Restaurant & Wine Bar offers Mediterranean cuisine using fresh local ingredients including seafood caught by local fishermen.

  • Parks and Recreation

    1. Upper Barrakka Gardens is a well-known public park that offers breathtaking views of the Grand Harbour and Three Cities.
    2. Lower Barrakka Gardens is another popular public park that boasts stunning views of the Grand Harbour and also features a memorial dedicated to Sir Winston Churchill.
    3. St. John’s Co-Cathedral is an important historic church that provides tours and hosts various cultural events.
    4. The Malta Experience is an interactive audio-visual tour designed to showcase Malta’s rich history and culture.
    5. Valletta Waterfront is a picturesque area along the waterfront where visitors can enjoy dining, shopping, and entertainment options.
    6. Fort St Elmo National War Museum is a fascinating museum dedicated to Malta’s military history.
    7. Triton Fountain is a large fountain located in City Gate Square that puts on an impressive display of waterworks when illuminated at night.
    8. Lascaris War Rooms are underground tunnels used during World War II as communication headquarters for Allied forces in North Africa and Italy.
    9. National Museum of Archaeology showcases artifacts from prehistoric times through the Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman periods up to medieval times.
    10. Valletta Market offers fresh produce such as fruit & vegetables as well as clothing & souvenirs on a daily basis for visitors to peruse through during their stay in Valletta.

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