Valletta
“A City of palaces built by gentlemen for gentlemen” – Valletta in a nut shell. The gentlemen were the Knights of Malta.
The foundation stone of Malta’s Capital City, a UNESCO Heritage Site and European Capital of Culture 2018, was laid by Grand Master Jean de Valette on 28th March 1566, six months after the Great Siege came to a victorious end, for Malta, for Europe and for the hero of the Siege, de Valette, who gave the city his name, hence Valletta. Money and assistance poured into the building of the city by a grateful Europe lead by Pope Pius V who sent his military architect, Francesco Laparelli to design and supervise the building, he was ably assisted by the Maltese architect Girolomo Cassar, who took over from Laparelli.
The Co-Cathedral of St John is a treasure trove. The view of Grand Harbour from Upper Barrakka is just stunning as is Renzo Piano’s master piece of contemporary architecture, the entrance into the City.