St John’s Co-Cathedral
Malta church, st John’s Co-Cathedral, had been designed by the architect Gerolamo Cassar. It was built between 1578 and 1573, overtaking as where the Knights would gather for worship. The inside has been revived in the 17th century at lush baroque style that was Maltese, plus it has a surprise after the plain facade. Certainly one of its greatest prizes is a painting of John the Baptist by Caravaggio.
Grand Master’s Palace
A sumptuous interior is concealed by the stern outside of this grandmaster’s Palace. This was the house of the Grand Masters of the Knights of St John. From Malta’s liberty until 2015 the construction was the seat Malta’s parliament, before it moved in to the brand new Parliament Building. The Armoury is housed in what was once the grandmaster’s stables.
National Museum of Archaeology
The National Museum of Archaeology is Placed at the impressive Auberge de Provence. Exhibits contain fragile stone tools dating from 5200 BC, Phoenician amulets along with also an amazing temple design from Ta’ Haġrat — a prehistoric architectural maquette. More striking are the beautifully modelled prehistoric figurines that were found everywhere. Best may be the Sleeping Woman , available at the Hypogeum, that will be approximately 5000 years of age. It reveals a freestanding woman with her head propped on one arm, apparently deep in slumber.
Upper Barrakka Gardens
These gardens were created in the 16th century for a soothing haven for the Knights from the nearby Auberge d’Italie. They provide a retreat from the bustle of the city, and also the balcony includes one of the greatest viewpoints in Malta.
The patio below is occupied by the Saluting Battery, where a cannon formerly fired salutes to seeing naval vessels.
Fort St Elmo & National War Museum
Grand Harbours and guarding Marsamxett is Fort St Elmo, named after the patron saint of mariners. The fort was constructed by the Knights in 1552 in only four months to guard the harbours on each side of this Sceberras Peninsula, and bore the brunt of arms during 1565’s Great Siege. After recovery the fort headquartered in 2015, and now contains the National War Museum, which covers Malta’s wartime history including the Great Siege and the nation’s ordeal during WWII.
Parliament Building
Renzo Piano Parliament Building has been completed in 2014. Its design includes two massive amounts of stone that look suspended in air, but are supported by stilts. The blocks have been machine-cut to enhance their appearance, letting in daylight and while reducing radiation. Within that the rooftop are all 600 sq metres of panels, which generate most of the energy necessary to heat the building in the winter and cool it.
City Gate
The Renzo Piano–designed City Gate forms a portion of the architect development. It echoes the 1633 entrance’s measurements, as opposed to the 1960s gate it replaced, allowing passersby to have the impression of crossing a bridge that is true, and going for views of fortifications along with the ditch. The architecture is stark and pared down, and the gate is framed with some of metal blades made to look like knights’ sabres.
Lascaris War Rooms
A mechanically ventilated underground tunnel complex that is located 40m beneath the Upper Barrakka Gardens, that placed Britain’s top-secret command in Malta during WWII and remained in use until 1977. The rooms have been organized since they would have been, staffed by waxwork amounts, and provide a fascinating glimpse. Get here the team there will direct you.
Church of St Paul’s Shipwreck
Back in AD 60 St Paul brought the Populace Christianity and was shipwrecked on Malta. This church includes a 19th-century facade, however the inner dates from the 16th century and houses several paintings, including a dazzling mythical statue of St Paul, carved in Rome at the 1650s and carried shoulder-high through the streets of Valletta about the saint’s feast day (10 February).
Upper Barrakka Lift
There was an Elevator between the Grand Harbour and the Upper Barrakka Gardens from 1905 to 1973. Back in 2012, this has been finally replaced. It’s 58m high and can carry 21 passengers. Pay on the way up ($1), but perhaps not only on the way down; if you have a holiday ticket, then it’s absolutely completely free.
Carmelite Basilica
Originally built in 1570 and enlarged in the mid-19th century, the Carmelite Basilica (formerly known as the Basilica of Our Lady of Mt Carmel) was re built from 1958 to 1981 after being seriously damaged during WWII. The skyline of the city is now dominated by its 42m-high duplex. The basilica is an early-17th-century painting of Our Lady of Mt Carmel. Note the soaring columns of red marble.
Valletta Contemporary
Emblematic of the cultural evolution during the town’s 2018 stint of Valletta is the gallery using an estimated roster of exhibits and installations in local and international artists. As the very initial launching on largely abandoned Triq il-Levant (‘East St’), it promises to become a catalyst for the area’s regeneration. Check the website for hours.
MUŻA
MUŻA is a 2018 incarnation of all Malta’s Museum of Fine Arts, that shut in a previous place in 2016. Sited at the Auberge d’Italie, also a 16th-century construction after home Italian members of the Knights of St John, MUŻA combines highlights in the prior museum, including historical maps and paintings, with an interactive 21st-century approach to community storytelling and art.
Saluting Battery
Even the Saluting Battery is to visiting vessels, at which a cannon fired salutes. The battery was restored, and a cannon is fired every day at noon and 4pm with wonderful ceremony — it’s worth making time for you to see this, and kiddies will love it. Try to time your trip for a tour the costumed guides explain a cannon fired and is loaded.
Manoel Theatre
Malta’s national theatre was built in 1731 and is amongst the oldest theatres in Europe. The building will be seen on tours that are guided, but is still in usage for events, and has been slowly restored. Booking is recommended. High lights of the theatre include a gilt-twinkling auditorium having a chandelier.
Auberge de Castille
About Pjazza Kastilja, pause to admire the facade of This Auberge de Castille, designed by the architect Andrea Belli in 1741. It adorns a 16th century building which was once the home of the Spanish and Portuguese langue of those Knights of St John, however currently houses the offices of the Maltese prime minister (not open to people ).
Casa Rocca Piccola
The palazzo Casa Rocca Piccola is the family home of this 9th Marquis de Piro, that it has started part of the palazzo to people and lives here. Visits include the WWII shelters, which lie 100ft underground of your family, also allow an exceptional insight in to the life style of the aristocracy.
Malta Postal Museum
Sandwiched between a pub and restaurants around Triq l-Arċisqof is this streamlined but intriguing museum. Highlights of this permanent exhibition are the intriguing narrative of the system of the Knights of St John, and the building is frequently used for both modern and heritage displays.
Malta Contemporary Art
After a few years of displaying at various popup places around Valletta, Malta Contemporary Art (MCA) currently has its own dedicated space tucked away in a silent heritage back street. Check the web site for the most recent exhibitions.
War HQ Tunnels
Tours negotiate the tunnels under Valletta and focus to the Cold War. Great walking shoes are necessary plus it’s really a good idea to bring a torch (flashlight).
Blitz
This gallery and performance space has events and various exhibitions and hosts resident artists throughout the season. You will find no set opening times.
St James’ Cavalier
This fortification was transformed into an arts center encompassing a theatre, theater and galleries. Modern carvings artwork has been surrounded by exhibitions.
Malta Experience
A dip through 7000 years of history, this 45-minute show also highlights Malta’s scenic attractions. It’s screened in the cellar of this Mediterranean Conference Centre, that conveys the Sacra Infermeria, the 16th-century hospital of this Order of St John. The entry fee includes a tour of the hospital, visiting with the Grand Hall that placed approximately 300 patients.
Royal Opera House
The Opera House was destroyed during a German air raid in 1942. Where chairs is elevated above the strikes its gutted shell has been abandoned like a reminder of the war, and acts as a frame for its Renzo Piano — designed open air performance space. It’s a spot to grab a concert, which are frequent during the Arts Festival.
Palazzo Castellania
Restored for Valletta’s stint in 2018, Palazzo Castellania originally housed Valletta’s law Prison and Courts. The figures above the balcony represent Justice and Truth, and also the construction was constructed from 1757 to 1760 by St John’s Order at the style. The building tenant is Malta’s Ministry of Health.
Sacra Infermeria
In the former Sacra Infermeria, a hospital of this Order of St John, this display brings the achievements of medieval medicine and allows a glimpse inside this building. Entrance is included with entrance into this Malta Experience nearby.
Valletta Waterfront (Pinto Wharf)
The Valletta Waterfront was a run down dockside area, lined and now renovated with waterside restaurants. The majority of its services, including restaurants shops and bars, cater to the passengers of those cruise lines that dock here. There is a tourist information boothoperators and operators that offer boat and bus trips across Valletta.
Prospettiva
This setup was created by Maltese architect Chris Briffa to celebrate V18 (Valletta as European City of Culture in 2018). The work hastens the town’s five gates into a 2D structure that is disassembled to planes, also is a more sight close to St James Bastion.
Siege Bell Memorial
Erected in 1992, this memorial commemorates those who lost their lives during the convoys of 1940 to 1943. The inscription of the bell references Psalm 140, and translates to’You cast thy shadow during the period of war 1940 — 1943′ up on my head.
Palazzo Parisio
Currently home the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this mansion was the residence of Napoleon for seven days at June 1798 during the French project of Malta, and combines neoclassical and baroque influences.