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Top 10 Things to Know
- La Vallette, a cultured man with vision, decided that the new city should not only serve as a powerful fort, but should also become a strongpoint of culture, economy and politics in the world. He therefore decided that Valletta should become "a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen." In honour of its founder, it was to be known as Valletta.
- Valletta is the smallest Capital in the European union measuring 900m by 630m covering an area of approximately 567sqm with a population of 6,400.
- Nearly 85% of Valletta was bombed during the 2nd World War, yet it still manages to enthrall its visitors.
- Valletta hosts the largest and the only painting signed by the master of light and shadows Michelangelo de Merisi known as Caravaggio.
- Valletta is a peninsula and is flanked by 2 harbours, the largest being the Grand Harbour boasting the deepest natural harbour in the mediterranean.
- The decision to build the new city was formally taken on 14th March 1566 and the foundation stone for the building of Valletta was laid on the 28th of March 1566, By the then Grandmaster Jean Parisot De la Vallette.
- There are 28 churches of which 25 are Catholic, 1 is Protestant, 1 Anglican and the other is a Greek Orthodox church.
- Valletta is one of the most concentrated historic sites in the world having 320 monuments.
- Valletta was designed by the brilliant military engineer Francesco Laparelli (1521-1570) who was sent specially by Pope Pius IV, who together with King Philip II of Spain also provided financial aid towards the construction of the City.
- Some of the street planning in Valletta is truly unique, which was planned with the city’s defence in mind. Some of its streets fall steeply as you get closer towards the back of the city, making it difficult for enemy troops to manoeuvre. These streets have stairs that were built in such a way that knights in heavy armour would be able to climb the steps.
