 View to Valletta (from Sliema) | ||
| Valletta (Il Belt) | ||
| District | Southern Harbor District | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 6.444 (2014) | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Valletta is the capital of Malta and is located on a peninsula on the northeast coast of the island between the docks of the Grand Harbor (German: Großer Hafen) in the east and the Marsamxett Harbor in the West.
The city with its surrounding fortress ring of fortresses ("Cavaliere") and connecting walls ("Kurtinen" or "Curtains") and the largely straight and right-angled road network, which was partly laid out with staircases, is completely under monument protection. The "Smallest Capital of the European Union" became the European Capital of Culture 2018 appointed.
background
Valletta or "Il Belt" ("the city") was called Island capital from a strategic point of view on Monte Scibberas, between the two natural harbors in 1566, under the Grand Master of the Order of St. John Jean de la Vallette designed and built in 15 years.
history
After the attempt to invade the island of Malta by the Turks, which could be stopped with difficulty in 1565 after the siege and the capture of Fort St. Elmo, the decision was made to rebuild the capital in a strategically favorable location on the Monte Scibberas (Scebberas) ridge above the Grand Harbor. Placed on March 28, 1566 Grand Master Jean de la Vallette the foundation stone for the new fortified city. Under the papal architect Francisco Laparelli and the Maltese assistant Gerolamo Cassar became the city with the fortresses ("Cavaliers"), intermediate connecting wall sections ("Curtains", each assigned to a tongue, a language community of the Order of St. John for defense) and the "Auberges" (Seat of the "tongues", the country teams of the Order of St. John) built from local limestone. In 1571 the seat of the Order of St. John of Birgu (Vittoriosa) to be relocated to the new capital. Jean de la Vallette could not live to see this moment, he died in 1568.
In the 17th century, the Italian fortress builder expanded the city with another ring of walls on the land side. The one in his honor was built within this wall Floriana called city.
Until the city was handed over to the Napoleonic fleet in 1798, after which the Order of St. John was driven from the island, the city and the port it protected was never captured.
It was not until the Second World War that the city and the port, as a base for the British Mediterranean fleet, were subjected to continuous bombardment by the German air force and largely destroyed. After the war it was rebuilt according to Laparelli's original plans.
Valletta and the Grand Harbor
Valletta in 1589
Valletta from the Grand Harbor
getting there
See also:Mobility in Malta
By plane
The 1 Malta International Airport
(IATA: MLA) located in Luqa about eight kilometers outside of town.
By bus
The bus routes X1 - X4 as well as TD2 and TD3 operate as express lines from the airport to the most important places. The X4 lines run to Valletta until around 11 p.m. (to the bus station in Floriana is located), the X1 to the west to the ferry terminal Gozo in Cirkewwa, the X2 and TD2 via Sliema to St. Julian's Bay. Traffic jams are very frequent in Malta, the journey from the airport to the "center" can take 20 minutes (with the X4 to Valetta or the fastest TD lines) to over an hour.
By boat
Between Pozzallo (Sicily) and Valletta there is a ferry connection with fast catamaran ferries from VirtuFerries. These run Monday, Wednesday, Friday and on weekends once or twice a day (the timetables are more suited to day trippers from Malta to Sicily, from Pozzallo bus connections to Catania).
Cruise ships dock at the Sea Passenger Terminal at Pinto Wharf in Grand Harbor at. It is easy to explore the city on foot or to be transported into town in a horse-drawn carriage or taxi.
mobility
See also:Mobility in MaltaThe peninsula on which Valletta was built is only a few kilometers long and can be explored on foot. The numerous stairways make the city unsuitable for car traffic. In any case, only residents' vehicles are allowed to circulate within the city walls.
An alternative is a tour with one of the typical ones "Karozzin" horse-drawn cab. The fare must be negotiated before starting the journey.
There is one wrong Passenger ferry During the day regularly from 8:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. from Valletta across the 2 Marsamxett Harbor to 3 Sliema. The journey begins below St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral. The small boat is immediately recognizable, it is blue-green with the lettering LÖWENBRÄU on the side.
The colorful ones Dghajsa-Boats (also known as Water taxi) run between the Old Costums House and Birgu (Negotiate the price for the crossing, approx. € 5.00).
A ferry operated by Valletta Ferry Services runs every half hour Valletta4 Lascaris - 5 L'Isla and 6 Bormla (Cospicua)
The 7 Barakka lift connects the quayside with the Upper Barrakka Gardens, price € 1.
Horse-drawn cart at the harbor
Ferry to Bormla at the Xatt Lascaris ferry terminal
The ferry to Sliema
Tourist Attractions
Streets and squares
- From 1 City Gate, the city gate, formerly known as Porto San Giorgio referred to, the Republic Street (formerly Queen's Street) straight through the city to Fort St. Elmo. The other streets in Valletta's old town are arranged at right angles. Buses and cars are directed along a road along the bank. The traffic here is often heavy and parking is very limited.
- About the 2 Victoria Gate, the former Porta del Monte, which was renamed in honor of Queen Victoria, was taken possession of the new capital by the Hospitallers in a solemn procession in 1571.
Churches and sacred buildings
- 3 St. John's Co-Cathedral. Tel.: 356 21220536, Email: [email protected].
as the center of religious life from the old capital Mdina had relocated to Valletta, the order church of St. John's was raised in 1816 to the "second cathedral" in the same rank as the cathedral of Mdina. Under grandmasters Jean L'Evecque de la Cassière the large church was built by G. Cassar in 1573/78. The main nave is surrounded on both sides by side chapels for the individual tongues (country teams) of the Order of St. John, each of which was adorned with the corresponding tongue. The Italian chapel is adorned with an image of St. Heronymus by M.da Caravaggia. In the French chapel with the portrait "The Conversion of Paul" a masterpiece by M. Preti. in the Oratorio there are paintings by M. Preti and the painting "The Beheading of John the Baptist" by Caravaggio. Photographs only without flash. No shoes with stiletto heels (because of the marble grave slabs on the floor). Shoulders must be covered. The number of visitors can be limited in the high season. Only 52 people are allowed in the oratory at the same time (damage to the works of art due to heat and moisture). Limited wheelchair access, free access to a chapel for believers to pray.Open: Mon-Fri 9:30 am-4:30pm; Sa 9: 30-12: 30; So closed.Price: 10.00 / 7.50 €. - 4 St. Augustine's Church (il-Knisja ta 'Santu Wistin).District church built by G.Cassar in 1571, dedicated to St. Augustine.
- 5 St Francis of Assisi (San Franġisk t'Assisi). the first Franciscan chapel was replaced by a baroque church in 1681.
- The 6 Our Lady of Victory (Ta Vittoria).was built in the area of the foundation stone laid by Jean de la Vallette in 1566. The Baroque facade by R. Carapecchia dates from the 18th century.
- 7 St. Catherine Church.The first chapel on the Italian tongue was replaced by a baroque building in 1715. Some elements of the original building by G. Cassar have been incorporated into the current building.
- The 8 St. James Church. was built in 1710 by R. F. Carapecchia for the Castilian friars and has a richly decorated baroque facade.
- The 9 St. Paul's Shipwreck Church. commemorates the shipwreck of the apostle Paul off Malta and was built by G. Cassar in 1609 and, like the cathedral, has side chapels to enlarge the nave. Several dignitaries are buried in the church. Access via the side entrance 9:30 am-12:00pm / 4:00 pm-5:00pm.
- The church 10 Our Lady of Damascus. is a Greek Orthodox Church, which was founded by the Greek Orthodox Christians who fled from Rhodes after the Order of St. John was driven out.
- The 11 Jesuit church and old university. the Jesuits built a church with an attached college at the end of the 16th century, the Collegium Melitensia Societatis Jesuwhere theology, literature and philosophy were taught. Under F. Buonamici, the facade was renewed in the Baroque style in the 17th century. After the Jesuits were expelled from Malta in 1768, the university was taken over and the faculties of medicine and law were added. In the sixties the university was after Msida relocated.
- The 12 Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.was built by G. Cassar around 1570 and, with its 42 m high dome, dominates part of the cityscape of Valletta, but the place of worship never acquired the significance of a cathedral.
- The 13 St. Paul's Church. was in 1839/43 at the place of the former Auberge d'Allemagne Erected above the German curtain wall, allegedly because the King's widow Adelaide did not find an Anglican church for her morning prayers when she visited from England.
- The church 14 Notre Dame de Lièsse. was built in 1737 as a seafarers' chapel of the French tongue outside the city walls.
Palaces, forts and civil structures
The fortress city of Valletta is surrounded by continuous walls, as "Cavalier" tower-like fortresses are called. From the various bastions, which are designated by name, there are often beautiful views. Wall sections between the bastions are called "Curtains (curtain)" designated. A rural team of the Knightly Order was responsible for the defense of each section of the wall. Each country team ("tongue") had a headquarters (for board and lodging) "Auberge"that have been expanded into real palaces.
- 1 St. John's Cavalier.in the fortress in the access area to the city of Valletta is the message of the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Saint John, of Order of Malta or St. John housed.
- Upstream are those 1 Hastings Gardens, a park in the foreland to 2 St. John's Bastion and 3 St. Michael's Bastion with a beautiful view of Marsamxett Harbor.
- Located on the east side of the City Gate 4 St. James' Cavalier. This fortress was the first to be built by Jean de la Vallette and it was able to reach the Grand Harbor and the area up to Fort St. Elmo with its cannons. After a renovation, the fortress houses that Center for Creativity with exhibition and performance rooms. The inscription Università de dei grani 1686 refers to the parliamentary assembly Università and not to a college.
- The 5 Royal Opera. , built by the British architect E.M.Barry, was destroyed in the Second World War and - as it did not fit into the cityscape - not rebuilt. Only a few ruins of the magnificent building have been preserved.
- in the 6 Admiralty House. , a former guest house of the Order of St. John, which had served the British as the seat of the Admiralty from 1821, is today Museum of Fine Arts with a collection of weapons, objects from the order hospital and paintings.
- 15 Buttigieg-Francia Palace (Palazzo Ferreira). , the former city palace was built in 1876 by G. Bonavia.
- 16 Arcbishop's Palace (Archbishop's Palace). was to serve as accommodation for the archbishop after the capital was moved to Valletta. After the archbishop was denied privileges by the knightly order, the archbishops preferred to continue to reside in Vittoriosa and Mdina. The palace was not completed until 1953.
- In the 7 Auberge d'Italie., the headquarters of the Italian tongue, which was expanded in the Baroque style in the 17th century, was the seat of the main post office. Today it houses the tourist information office.
- The 8 Palazzo Parisio.was made his headquarters by Napoleon Bonaparte after landing in Malta. Today it is the seat of the Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is not open to the public.
- The 9 Auberge de Castille, Leon et Portugal. was rebuilt as the seat of the Iberians in 1744 by D. Cachia in the baroque style. Today the building is the official residence of the Prime Minister of Malta.
- The 10 Castellania. , the court house and prison of the Johanniter, was built in 1748 and is now the seat of the Ministry of Health.
- The 11 Auberge de Provence.was built by G. Cassar in 1571/75. The knight's hall was built on the upper floor above the stables and storerooms on the ground floor. Today the building houses the National Archaeological Museum.
- 12 Auberge d'Auvergne., the building built in 1575 by G. Cassar, the seat of the Grand Marshal, the commander of the Land Forces of the Order of St. John, was destroyed to the ground in World War II. The building, rebuilt in 1960, serves as the Supreme Court of Malta.
- Built in 1776 1 National Library the complete records of the Order of St. John are issued from the founding document of Pope Pascalis II from the year 1113 and the document from the year 1530, with which Emperor Charles V Malta was given as a fiefdom to the Order of St. John. The multimedia show in the basement "The Great Siege of Malta". Tel.: 22489300. Open: Mo-Fr 10: 00-16: 30, Sa 10: 00-15: 00.Price: 7.50 / 4.00 €., a multilingual audio-visual presentation of the events of the siege by the Turks in 1566.
- The iron market hall 13 As Suq tal Belt. was built in 1859. Local produce is offered here.
- The 14 Grand Master's Palace was built on a plot of land belonging to the Scibberas family by G. Cassar in 1571/74. Commemorative plaques commemorate events in World War II (award of the George Cross) and visits by the royal family to Malta. On the upper floor there is the session room of the Parliament of Malta, the large council chamber (Throne Room), the reception rooms of the Ambassador's Room and the tapestry hall. In the Tapestry Chamber Parliamentary sessions were held until the 1970s. In the case of state visits and official events, the upper floor cannot be visited. Only the armory in the basement is then open. In the 17 Palace Armory. Tel.: 356 21249349, Email: [email protected].About 6,000 uniforms and weapons of the knights are on display.Open: Fri-Wed 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Price: 10.00 / 7.00 / 5.00 €.
- In the 15 Casa Rocca Piccola., a palazzo of the Maltese aristocracy, a private museum has been set up.
- The 16 Manoel - theater. was built from 1731 by F. Zerafa and A. Azzopardi. After the Royal Opera opened, it fell into disrepair and was renovated in the 1960s.
- The 17 Auberge d'Aragon.was built in 1571 by G. Cassar. The accommodation of the rural team from Aragon is therefore the oldest of the "hostels" in Valletta. The Ministry of Transport is now housed in the building.
- The 18 Auberge d'Angleterre et Bavière. was built by Carlo Gimach in 1696 as a palazzo. After Henry VIII dissolved the English tongue of the Order of St. John in 1540, it was revived as the common English-Bavarian tongue in the late 18th century, and together with the Russian rural team they took up residence in the former Palazzo Carnerio.
- 19 Siege Bell Memorial. the memorial with a large cast iron bell commemorates the Maltese who fell in the bombing of Malta in World War II.
- 20 Sacra Infermeria San Spirito. the Ordensspital, probably built by G. Cassar around 1575, with a huge balcony on the east side, was soon after its construction one of the best hospitals in Europe. Hygiene guidelines were drawn up here (the patients ate from antiseptic silver dishes) and a concept with isolation wards was implemented. During the Second World War, the building was still used as a military hospital, and after the restoration in 1979 as a conference center.
- 18 Fort St. Elmo.the fort was built from 1552 in view of an impending invasion of the Ottoman Empire. Then came the attack of the Turks in 1565. After months of siege, the fort and all 600 defenders fell. The attackers also had to pay an enormous blood toll and could no longer carry out the next step, the attack on the main power of the knightly order in Birgu, and had to withdraw. The fort was closed after the siege ("Great Siege") was rebuilt and served to defend the entrance to the Grand Harbor until World War II. Italian attacks were successfully withstood. Part of the fort serves as the headquarters of the Maltese police. In another part that is National War Museum housed.
- The 21 Old Customs House (old port building or customs house). was built from coral limestone to better withstand the lake water.
Museums
- 19 National Museum of Archeology (Auberge de Provence: Archeological Museum). Tel.: 356 21222163, Fax: 356 21241975, Email: [email protected]. with a unique collection of finds from early history ("Venus of Malta", finds from the Hypogeum and the temples of Tarxien, etc.) and a Phoenician-Roman collection (with the bilingual double prayer stone from Marsaxlokk).Open: Mon-Sun 9 am-5pm.Price: 5.00 / 3.50 €.
Venus of Malta
Archeological Museum
- 20 Museum of Fine Arts (Admiralty House: Museum of Fine Arts), Admiralty House. Tel.: 356 22954341, Email: [email protected]. in the Admiralty House with a Weapon collection, Collection of items from the former Order Hospital and paintings, historical views of Malta and Works by Italian masters and the Maltese sculptor Antonio Sciortino.Open: Mon-Sun.Price: 5.00 / 2.50 €.
- 21 Military Heritage Park. the Lascaris War Rooms and other systems in the rock under St. Paul's Bastion, in which the command post of the British Mediterranean Fleet was housed during World War II and which have largely been preserved in their original condition.
- 22 National War Museum (War museum). Tel.: 356 21222430, Email: [email protected].on the grounds of Fort St. Elmo provides information about the siege and air raids on Malta by the Axis powers during World War II. Among other things, one of the two available English aircraft in Malta at the time of the start of the attacks and numerous items of booty shown. The museum will be closed from September 2014 to mid-2015 due to relocation to another area.
- The 23 Toy Museum, 222 Republic Street. Tel.: 356 21251652, Email: [email protected]. with an impressive collection of toy cars.Open: Mon-Fri 1:00 am-3:00pm.Price: € 3.00.
Parks
- 24 Upper Barracca Gardens.From the former site of the Knights of the Italian Tongue above St. Paul's Bastion, there is an excellent view of the Grand Harbor, the forts Ricasoli, Sant'Angelo and St. Michael. Occasionally, gun salutes are fired from original cannons. Various sculptures are worth seeing in the park, including the bronze sculpture of the "street children" (Les Cavroches) by Antonio Sciortino.
- 25 Lower Barraca Gardens. From the lower former parade ground, which was decorated with a classical temple in honor of Alexander Ball after the expulsion of the French in 1800, there is a beautiful view of the harbor entrance and Fort St. Elmo.
- 26 Hastings Gardens
activities
Harbour Cruise
A harbor tour costs around 16.00 euros (2015, sometimes just 10.00) per person. The various buildings and especially the huge fortifications can be seen from the sea from a completely different perspective. A German-speaking tour is promised for the tour, but it offers little information. An audio guide with 37 texts will be handed over, which does not allow any assignment to the points reached. The vast majority includes the history of Malta and music. The British tourists, on the other hand, receive up-close information via loudspeakers about what is currently being seen. At the latest when all the other passengers are laughing about the next fun, you throw the headphones in the corner and are happy that you understand a little English. The tour was tested with the Supreme cruises (a company of Malta sightseeingwhich operate bus tours on the island). The routes shown on the boards are highly idealized. In fact, not every small bay is actually driven into. The routes of the small boats differ little from those of the large boats.
The boats do not operate in strong waves. Information about this should be obtained from the tourism company beforehand.
multimedia
Regular events
- In February will carnival celebrated. On Shrove Tuesday, the big parade starts at 6:00 p.m. on Triq Sant 'Anna Street with numerous large, colorful floats and dancers. The dancers are elaborately costumed and you can vote (via SMS) on your personal favorite group. On the previous Saturday morning, the children's carnival takes place in the city with lavishly dressed children and on Monday, before Shrove Tuesday, the performance of the dance groups in front of the Grand Master's Palace (with admission) begins in the afternoon. See also the English language Wikipedia.
- The Maltese celebrate this in April Malta Fireworks Festival in the Grand Harbor near Valletta, fireworks rockets are fired for up to 3 hours.
- Each for Victory Day on September 8th to commemorate the end of the Turkish siege in 1566 and the end of the blockade of Malta in World War II, among other festivities will be held in the harbor basin between Marsa and the Old Customs House the Victory Day regatta carried out. Teams from Valletta, Birgu, L'Isla and other communities around the Grand Harbor compete with races in Dghajsa-Boats in different categories.
shop
- St. James' Cavalier. On Sunday mornings, a market with agricultural products and textiles from the region is held in front of the St. James' Cavalier.
- 1 Fish Market. In the morning, fresh fish is offered at the Fish Market below the Castilian Curtine.
- 2 Malta Government's Crafts Center. The locally made handicrafts are on display at the Malta Government's Crafts Center. No sales, only information about sources of supply.Open: Mon - Fri 9 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
kitchen
- 1 No.43, 43, Triq Il-Merkanti, Il-Belt Valletta. Tel.: 356 2703 2294.facebook url used
A café with daily fresh sandwiches, soups, salads and homemade cakes. Select salads at the counter and then eat them straight away or have them packed to take away.Open: Mon to Sat 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - 2 Ruby, 53 Old Bakery Street, Old Bakery Street, Valletta. The restaurant opened in 1906, serving regional cuisine. Reservation recommended.Open: Mon 12.30pm - 2.30pm, Tue to Fri 12.30pm - 2.30pm and 7.30pm - 10.30pm, Sat 7.30pm - 10.30pm.
- 3 Legligin, 117/119, Santa Lucia Street, Valletta,. Tel.: 356 2122 1699.facebook url usedThere is no menu but a daily changing menu with 5 to 8 courses for around € 30 plus drinks.Open: Tue to Sat 1:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m., Sun, Mon 6:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
- 4 Scoglitti, 8 'Triq il-Lanca Marsamxett, Valletta. Tel.: 356 7723 5548.facebook url usedFish restaurant, a little off the beaten track by the sea. Freshly caught fish, lobsters and oysters from the pool.Open: daily 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
nightlife
In historic Valletta, only a few bars are open late into the night. The nightlife is more in St. Julian's at Sliema from.
accommodation
There are few hotels and a few in historic Valletta itself Guesthouses.
- 1 British Hotel, 40 Battery street, Valletta VLT1222. Tel.: 356 2122 4730. The hotel is not only interesting for overnight guests. From the restaurant or bar (on the roof on the 6th floor) you have a wonderful view over the harbor and the cruise ships.
security
health
There is no hospital in Valletta. In the adjoining Floriana there is that 2 Health Center Floriana, otherwise the central one 3 Mater Dei University Hospital at Birkirkara with an emergency center point of contact in medical emergencies.
Practical advice
- 4 Malta Tourism Authority, Tourist Information, Auberge D'Italie, 229 Merchants Street. Tel.: 22915440. Open: Mon-Sat 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sun 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
trips
- To Mdina to the old capital in the interior, which is also surrounded by high fortress walls.
literature
Web links
- www.visitmalta.com, multilingual, also German
- www.cityofvalletta.org, Website of the City of Valletta
- Private website for travelers, with lots of information about Malta, pictures and videos (in German)
