PAID CONTENT FOR VISIT MALTA AND HERITAGE MALTA
PAID CONTENT FOR VISIT MALTA
PAID CONTENT FOR VISIT MALTA AND HERITAGE MALTA
Visit Malta MALTA
EUROPE’S SMALLEST CAPITAL OFFERS AN EXPERIENCE THAT’S LARGER THAN LIFE, FROM BAROQUE MASTERPIECES TO VIBRANT FOOD AND CULTURE
In Malta’s capital city, Valletta, history, culture and modern life blend seamlessly. Despite its size, the city offers visitors an extraordinary journey through centuries of heritage, art and architecture. Built by the Order of St John in the 16th Century, Valletta was conceived as both a fortress and a statement of power, faith and resilience. Today, it stands proudly as a Unesco World Heritage Site, inviting travellers to discover why this tiny capital is one of Europe’s most remarkable destinations. Valletta’s story begins with the Order of St John,
a religious and military order that arrived in Malta in 1530. After successfully defending the island during the Great Siege of 1565 against the Ottoman Empire, the Knights set out to build a fortified city to embody their strength and devotion. Named after Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette, the city was carefully planned with straight streets, bastions and palaces, making it one of the earliest examples of a grid-based city. Walking through Valletta today, the legacy of the Knights endures in its grand architecture, ornate
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churches and imposing fortifications, with every corner revealing layers of faith and artistry. Covering less than one square kilometre, Valletta
is Europe’s smallest capital city, yet its compact footprint holds an astonishing wealth of history. Perfect for exploration on foot, it allows visitors to move easily from city gates to waterfront, passing palaces, museums and lively squares along the way. Valletta proves that small can indeed be mighty. Valletta is also home to some of Malta’s most
significant historical sites, managed by Heritage Malta, the national agency for museums, conservation and cultural heritage, offering invaluable insight into the island’s past.
Fort St Elmo & The National War Museum This star-shaped fortress guards the entrance to Valletta’s harbour and played a crucial role during the Great Siege. Today, it houses the National War Museum, where visitors can explore Malta’s military history, including artefacts from the Second World War.
Grand Master’s Palace Once the residence of the Grand Masters of the Order of St John, this palace is a masterpiece of baroque architecture. Its richly decorated halls and state rooms reflect the grandeur of the Knights, while its Armoury showcases one of the world’s foremost collections of weapons and armour used in the Order’s battles.
MUŻA – The National Community Art Museum Located in the Auberge d’Italie, MUŻA is Malta’s flagship art museum. Its collections span centuries and follow a chronological approach, tracing art from prehistoric times to the 21st Century, thus offering a dialogue between past and present.
National Museum of Archaeology Housed in the Auberge de Provence, this museum presents a spectacular collection and an alluring experience of the Maltese Islands’ prehistory and early history. With artefacts dating back from
Malta’s Neolithic period (5900-2500 BC) up until the early Phoenician period (8th-6th Century BC), the museum is the first step to understanding the richness of the land you tread on, its people and their ancestors.
Underground Valletta Beneath the city lies a hidden world of tunnels, shelters and chambers. Used during wartime and for various purposes across centuries, Underground Valletta offers a unique perspective on the city’s resilience and adaptability. Valletta is often called ‘a city built by gentlemen
for gentlemen’, but it could just as easily be described as a city of churches. Within its small area, the city boasts 28 churches, each with its own character and story. The most famous of these is St John’s Co-
Cathedral, a baroque masterpiece built by the Knights. Its plain exterior belies the splendour inside: gilded walls, marble tombstones and Caravaggio’s dramatic painting The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, to name just a few examples.
Beyond its historical and cultural riches, Valletta is
also a hub for food lovers. The city’s streets are lined with restaurants, bistros and coffee shops offering a wide array of cuisines. Whether you crave traditional Maltese dishes like rabbit stew or prefer international flavours, Valletta’s dining scene has something for everyone. Quaint cafes provide the perfect spot to enjoy a coffee and some crunchy pastizzi (savoury pastry) as you watch the world go by, while fine- dining establishments — including MUŻA’s own restaurant — offer meals in historical settings. Valletta isn’t just a city of static monuments;
it’s alive with events and cultural activities throughout the year. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an art lover or simply a curious traveller, there’s always something happening in Valletta to enrich your visit. Heritage Malta regularly organises exhibitions, lectures and tours across its sites, including those in Valletta. These events bring history to life and offer visitors unique opportunities to engage with Malta’s heritage. From themed tours at Fort St Elmo to art workshops at MUŻA, the calendar is rich and varied.
DON’T MISS Explore the Grand Master’s Palace, a masterpiece of baroque architecture, with richly decorated halls and state rooms
This content is brought to you by our sponsor. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs. Need to know
KEY FACILITIES • Museums & heritage sites managed by Heritage Malta
• Unesco World Heritage city centre • Walkable historic streets & waterfront promenades • Year-round cultural events
KEY ACTIVITIES • Guided heritage walks through Valletta
• Visits to Fort St Elmo & the Grand Master’s Palace
• Art & history exploration at MUŻA & the National Museum of Archaeology
• Cafe-hopping through historic streets & squares
GET IN TOUCH
visitmalta.com +356 2291 5000
info@visitmalta.com
heritagemalta.mt/explore instagram.com/visitmalta
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