Place details
Valetta - the capital - the cradle of the Templars of Malta!
Valetta bears the name of its founder - Jean Parisot de la Valette - Grand Master of the Order of St. John.
This fortress city was built in record time of 15 years (from 1566).
The entire city has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
It is not for nothing, here in Valetta everything is to see:
- The streets
- The temples (churches or basilicas)
- The houses with their balconies
- The new theater
- The fortifications of the city
- The main square
- The library
Above all, especially:
The gardens :
- Upper Barakka Gardens
- Lower Barakka Gardens
- Hastings Gardens: from where you can see the firing of cannons, and contemplate the 3 Right Cities in front of Malta
St. John's Co-Cathedral
A majestic building. A work of art.
At sunset, the colors of the city change.
It looks like a bronze city.
THE TEMPLARS OF MALTA
The history of Malta is closely linked to the order of the Knights Hospitallers of the Order of St John. At the time of the Crusades, it was a military power that served to defend Christianity.
The Order finds its origin in the city of Jerusalem where originally they built hospitals (hence the name Hospitallers).
Expelled first from Jerusalem, and a second time from Rhodes (Greece), they settled in Malta.
This territory was given to them by the Pope of the time, and they had to fight the Ottomans at the entrance to Europe and to protect the Mediterranean.
Knights or Templars?
Indeed, they are Knights Hospitallers. But when the Order of the Templars disappeared at the beginning of the 14th century, all its possessions were given to the Knights Hospitallers.
What made them the most powerful order. Hence sometimes confusion Knights / Templars.
The Order of the Knights of St John disappeared in its turn in the early nineteenth century.
USEFUL INFORMATION
To get there, it is better to take the bus.
The city is practically pedestrian. If you'd like to come by car, you have to park outside.
From here, you can take the boat and go to the 3 Cities.
There are no beaches in Valetta.
Valetta was elected European Capital of Culture for 2018.
