Valletta

Valletta is the capital of Malta, a fortified city on the island’s northeast coast. Built by the Knights of St John after the Great Siege of 1565, it is known for its Baroque architecture and harbor setting.

Great Siege of Malta: A 1565 siege in which Ottoman forces failed to capture Malta from the Knights Hospitaller. Its aftermath prompted the Knights to build a stronger capital on the peninsula.
Malta: An island country in the central Mediterranean, south of Sicily. Valletta is Malta’s capital and principal urban center.
St John's Co-Cathedral: A Baroque church in Valletta built for the Knights Hospitaller and completed in the seventeenth century. Its ornate interior is among the clearest expressions of the order’s wealth in the city.
UNESCO World Heritage Site: A place inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List for cultural or natural significance. Valletta was inscribed as a site for its concentration of historic architecture.
Mdina: A fortified hilltop city in central Malta that served as the island’s capital before Valletta. Mdina was the older inland capital; Valletta became the new coastal seat of power.
Jean Parisot de Valette: Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller from 1557 to 1568, who led Malta during the Great Siege. Valletta was named for the Grand Master who directed Malta’s defense.
Sciberras Peninsula: A narrow peninsula in northeastern Malta between Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour. Valletta occupies most of this strategic ridge.
Grandmaster's Palace: A palace in Valletta built as the residence of the Grand Masters of the Knights Hospitaller. It housed the order’s government and later served Malta’s rulers.
Baroque architecture: An architectural style marked by dramatic forms, rich ornament, and carefully staged effects. Valletta’s churches and palaces became a major expression of Baroque design.
Birgu: A historic fortified city beside Grand Harbour, also known as Vittoriosa. Birgu was the Knights’ base before Valletta was established across the harbor.

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