Welcome to Valletta, one of the most famous cities đand the capital of Malta!
From its incredible natural beauty and its modern advancements, it offers fascinating facts for you to discover!
This article will offer some wonderful facts about Valletta that will completely surprise you.
Letâs start this wonderful journeyâď¸..[actually, this is going to be the splendid mind-traveling!!]!
Fascinating Valletta Facts
Valletta City: It was designed by Francesco Laparelli
Have you heard about Francesco Laparelli?
He was an Italian architect and, most importantly, an assistant to Michelangelo. This talented person was the main designer of the city of Valletta! Amazing, right?
His unique artistic vision and point of view saw Valletta City have a very different appearance than the typical Maltese architectuređŤ.
He focused on designing the streets of the city in a rectangular pattern for ease of use, straight and wide pathways, etc. He even designed large bastions on Fort Saint Elmo that overlooked the water.
Valletta: It was severely damaged during World War II
I am quite depressed to explore this secret about Valletta!
Just like most regions in the continent of Europe after World War II, the economy, infrastructure, culture, and even people had to suffer the consequences of the war and violence.
During this war, the Royal Opera House was destroyed, along with many other Classical structures and Baroque buildings. The Royal Opera House received a direct hit đŁ in 1942 in an air raid!
The city was even heavily bombarded during this severe war due to its importance as a capital and also its location between two vital harbors of the nation.
The infrastructure of Valletta: It was constructed by the Knights Hospitaller
If you are a lover of history just like me, then you will surely love this exciting fact about Valletta!
The beautiful buildings that we can see dotting the steers of Valletta and most of the incredible historical buildings all were constructed by the Knights Hospitaller!
It is a religious group and Order of St. John of Jerusalem that ruled the islands for more than 200 years between the mid-16th and the end of the late 18th century.
The city of Valletta: It has its own government system
Just like any other city or even capital in Europe, the city of Valletta has its own local government. The government controls the entire city as well as its decisions.
The first election occurred at the end of the year 1993 and even continues every three years!
Most importantly, the beautiful Valletta is even a vital part of the countryâs governmental affairs. The reason is the Office of the Prime Minister of Malta, the presidentâs house, and also the Grandmasterâs Palace all are held in Valletta.
Valletta City: Here, building projects halted during the French Reign
I am quite surprised to learn this interesting fact about captivating Valletta! Want to know??
The French captured the island, including Valletta, at the very end of the 18th century! During this period, improvements and buildings stopped in the entire capital city.
However, the Maltese soldiers fought back against the French until the British participated and helped with the fight.
In the year 1798, the British took over rule âď¸and helped start demolishing, rebuilding, and modernizing the city. Impressive, isnât it?
Valletta: Know about the city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Status
Throughout the world, there are several areas of natural beauty and landmarks preserved by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. These famous UNESCO sites are of immense importance to the world in terms of natural beauty, culture, and even environmental reasons!
This beautiful Maltese city, known as Valletta, is officially recognized as a world heritage site. Oh, amazingđ˛!!
Valletta City: It has Baroque architecture
Little fellow explorers, have you heard about Baroque architectuređ°?? No?? Letâs explore.
Baroque architecture is famous for its 17th-century style that has made France and Italy so famous today!
In the early 17th century, after being originally constructed by the Catholic church, this type of unique architecture spread mainly through southern Europe as a form of protest to the Reformation.
Vallettaâs history: Palaces, auberges, forts, and war rooms bear testimony to this
In Valletta, we will see the famous St. Johnâs Co-Cathedral.
Also, within Valletta, we can explore amazing palacesđ°, forts, Auberges, and war rooms that bear testimony to the colorful history of beautiful Malta!
The opulent Auberges of Malta are incredible 16th century buildings that used to be the home of the Knights from various paths of Europe. The captivating Auberge de Castille is now famous as the office of the Prime Minister.
Also, the captivating Auberge de Provence is home to the National Museum of Archaeology and the famous Auberge dâItalie shelters the MUZA National Museum of Fine Arts đźď¸.
Valletta: Here we can see a Caravaggio painting
The Knights of John took Malta to new heights culturally by commissioning some of the most talented artists!
Among these was the most famous Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, who took shelter in Malta while fleeing a death sentence!!
He started to embellish the Knightsâ church dedicated to John the Baptist! His iconic painting, âThe beheading of St John the Baptist,â is the largest of his artworks đźď¸ and the only one ever signed! There is another of his painting displayed at St John Co-Cathedral, called âSt Jerome writing,â is still in Valletta.
Valletta City: The origin of its name and its construction
Did you know this exciting fact about this beautiful city?
The name of the city bears the name of its founder. He was the French Grand Master Knight Jean Parisot de Vallette. He died before prior to the construction of the city was completed. He died in 1568, due to a stroke.
Also, the foundation stone of the capital city was laid in 1566, on March 28. In order to construct this amazing city, around 9000 workers tried really hard.
Valletta: Meet the smallest capital city in entire Europe
I am quite amazed to learn this interesting secret about Valletta! What about you?
Valletta is the smallest capital city not only in Malta but also in whole Europe. It occupies less than 1 kilometer square and has around 7000 inhabitants only! Only the Vatican City is smaller than this. Isnât it amazing?
However, despite its small size, the city offers around 320 monumentsđ°, all within walking distance of each other!!
Thus, the city is famous as the Open-Air Museum, because of its concentration of vital artifacts in a tiny space! Quite impressive, isnât it?
Valletta City: It is not the first capital city of Malta
The beautiful city of Valletta is not the first capital city of the island of Malta, nor the second!
You may have already known that Mdina was initially the capital city of Malta. Later, Vittoriosa was also made the second capital city of Malta until 1571.
On March 18, 1571, the city of Valletta became the capital of Malta.
Valletta City: The sunniest city in entire Europe
Valletta is famous as the sunniest city âď¸in entire European continent! According to the Met Office, this beautiful city is officially the city in entire Europe with most sun!
The tiny island Malta enjoys around 300 days of sunshine per year!
The average annual temperature of the city remains above 73 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Valletta experiences a lack of precipitation during summer đ and most of the precipitation occurs during winter.
Thus, when people feel a bit blue after a long winter season, they wish to visit Valletta to enjoy the bright sun!
Valletta: The city was featured in several popular movies
If you love to watch movies just like me, then you will definitely love this wonderful secret about Valletta City!
Due to its amazing shape and beautiful sunny weather, the city of Valletta hosted a number of globally known Hollywood movies đŹ! Quite amazing, right?
Those movies include World War Z, Assasinâs Creed, and Queen of the South.
Valletta: Meet the European capital of culture
Further increasing its importance and fame, the city of Valletta hosted the title of European Capital of Culture in the year 2018!
It was an initiative set up in 1983 with the idea of raising awareness of common valued shared by common people. It must be done, along with highlighting the rich diversity of different countries in Europe.
The celebration lasted for a year, enjoyed a busy program. That program included hundreds of local and international artists, writers, performers, film-makers, and designers.
Valletta and its cuisine: The city offers some of the best dining and wining experiences
The cuisine in Valletta is absolutely remarkable! While various types of quality catering establishments are present here, the city even hosts several cafes, restaurants, bars, and even wineđˇ bars!
Here cafes include open-air seating with parasols set in a huge area.
Valletta: The city has two natural harbors
The peninsula of Valletta has two natural harbors đ, the Grand Harbor and Marsamxett. The Grand Harbor is the major port of Malta.
A cruise-liner terminal is situated along the old seawall of the Valletta Waterfront, which was constructed by Portuguese Grandmaster Manuel Pinto da Fonseca.
The Manoel Theatre: One of the oldest working theaters in the continent
If you are a fan of theaters, then you will surely love this amazing secret about Valletta!
In the year 1731, the Manoel Theater was constructed in just ten monthsđ˛!
It happened by order of Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena. Today, this theater is famous ad one of the oldest working theaters in the entire Europe!
Carnival and Valletta: The city is the scene of the Maltese Carnival
The beautiful city of Valletta is the site of the famous Maltese Carnivalđ! Amazing , isnât it?
This famous festival is held in in February leading up to Lent.
However, in the year 1823, the amazing Valletta Carnival became the scene of a human crush tragedy, in which around 110 boys perished due to suffocation.
Summing up
So little fact enthusiasts, now you know that Valletta is a city that takes pride in its breathtaking landscapes, rich historyđ˛, and modern advancements!
From captivating museums and artistic works to stunning carnivals and delicious cuisineđ¤¤, what in Valletta attracts you the most?
As we are already in this wonderful journey together, we would be thrilled to know your answer.
I’m a former teacher (and mother of Two Childs) with a background in child development. Here to help you with play-based learning activities for kids. ( Check my  Next startup Cledemy.Com)
