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Valletta and its
suburb town of Floriana are perched on the steep Sciberras
peninsula jutting out into Malta's two deep natural harbours,
Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour. Valletta is the Islands'
fortress city. Founded by the Knights of St John in 1566, it
is known as the 'city built by gentlemen for gentlemen' ; a
16th century architectural masterpiece. Although its many
titles recall its rich historical past, Valletta is very much
a working, capital city; a bustling cultural centre and the
administrative and commercial heart of the Islands. The
bastions of this fortress city rank among the world's greatest
examples of military engineering. Valletta is also regarded as
a unique example of baroque architecture. Its grid of narrow
streets house some of Europe's finest churches, palaces and
cultural treasures. Floriana lies within Valletta's landward
fortifications which extend to the Portes des Bombes on the
main approach road. This suburb town has fine examples of
patricians' houses and 17th century wharf buildings as well as
several gardens laid out in the time of the Knights.
The
Fortress City, "a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen".
Valletta has many titles, all recalling its rich historical
past. It is the "modern" city built by the Knights
of Malta - "The
Knights of
the Order of St John "; a masterpiece of the baroque; a
European Art City; and a World Heritage City. But these are
just some of its faces and fortunes.
Valletta is also Malta's capital city: a living, working city,
the administrative and commercial heart of the Islands.
Nowhere in Malta is the life of the Islands reflected more
than here. The city is busy by day, yet retains a timeless
atmosphere. The grid of narrow streets house some of Europe's
finest art works, churches and palaces.
Valletta hosts a vast cultural programmed. Street events are
staged against the city's magnificent baroque architecture and
floodlit bastions. There is theatre and music and all manner
of things to see and join in, from avant garde art to
traditional church festas. The city is a delight to shop in:
narrow side streets are full of tiny shops selling antiques,
maps, books, prints and jewellery.
Walking around Valletta, you'll come across an intriguing
historical site around every corner: votive statues, niches,
fountains and coats of arms high up on parapets. And when you
need to stop and take it all in, the city yields up squares,
courtyards, gardens and any number of cafés, right on cue.
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Valletta Malta Info Guide |
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 More
Photos of Valletta
Getting There:
All public
transport Busses end up in Valletta- Bus Route Map. Valletta is well
sign posted from the airport. Taxi services from Airport to Valletta are
also available 24hrs.
Malta Tel code:
++356
Position: East
Accommodation:
Hotels in Valletta or for
self catering the closest is apartments in nearby
Sliema
Beaches: The
Nearest beach is in Sliema which are rocky beaches or beach clubs. For
sandy beaches travel north towards Mellieha and Gozo
Shopping: Almost
all kind of shopping is possible in Valletta, shopping
malls,Cinemas,Bookstores ,banks are found in Valletta.
Banks in Valletta: All local Banks, ATM`s,
Automatic foreign currency exchange and foreign exchange bureaus. All Major
European and World Currencies accepted. Visit
www.bov.com for exchange
rates and currencies accepted. HSBC also have a bank outlet in Valletta
Entertainments: Historic attractions,
Cinemas, Opera,theathre,Harbour cruises, Museums,Scuba
Diving (assisted or professional).
Eating out: A number of
Restaurants to choose from,inc. Pizzerias,Take aways,fast food,coffee shops
Public transport:
- Regular and frequent
buses to and from Valletta
Bus Route Map
Internet Cafes: yes
What to
see:
Museums,
Palaces including the Grand Masters Palace, artmuseums,
gardens,
fabulous churches such as St Johns Co Cathedral and
Caravaggios paintings and lots more. There can be few
Mediterranean cities as rich in architectural, historical
and cultural heritage as this unique, baroque, walled city.
Must
do`s..: Harbor Cruise around the fortified city walls of
Valletta,
The Grand harbour, Visit
St. Johns Co Cathedral, and the
Grand Masters Palace
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