We spent a morning in Valletta, the capital city, last weekend. It has such a different feel from Sliema. The city itself is less commercial (fewer restaurants, high rises, hotels and stores), but there are still many tourists there to stroll around the old city and learn more about the history of the area. Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and our first impression was really wonderful. I can’t wait to go back to learn more!
In 1565, Malta fought the Great Siege against the Turks. Greatly outnumbered, the Maltese managed to drive out the Turks. As a result, in 1566, leaders decided to move the capital to a city across the harbor which was to be fortified. This city became Valletta. You can see the huge wall outside the central gates to the city. They are doing some renovation work there now.
Entering Valletta through the City Gates.
Walking down the main walkway, Triq Ir-Repubblika (Republic Street). There are stores, restaurants, government buildings and, offices. Valletta is less than a mile long and less than half a mile wide. It was designed on a grid pattern, a pretty new concept at the time when it was built.
The architecture is stunning.
Continuing down Triq Ir-Repubblika. We are leaving the shops and government buildings and heading into a more residential area.
Love the windows!
And the doors!
In more recent times (like late 1800s, early 1900s), goatherds would bring thousands of goats into the city every day. The goats would roam the streets while the goatherds would take goats door to door to milk them for the resident. That’s fresh milk! To prevent the wondering goats from entering the houses, gates like these were installed in each doorway.
On one side of Valletta is Grand Harbor which looks out onto the Three Cities (one of which was the capital before Valletta).
The Siege Bell, commemorating the dead from WWII, rings every day at noon. And we were there when it rang! We felt the vibrations in our whole body!
Not every road is drivable!
On the other side of Valletta, across Marsamxett Bay, is Sliema.
Manoel Island, in Marsamxett Bay, between Sliema and Valletta. It is the home of Fort Manoel which is currently being renovated after years of neglect. It is also home to the 170-year old Malta Yacht Club.
Looking back towards Valletta as we chug out in to the bay on the ferry back to Sliema.
SylLy Acres 
January 28, 2014 at 10:26 pm
Oh, my goodness. I can’t recognize the entrance to Valletta. I’m going to have to e-mail you a photo of what it looked like when I was there. I do recognize the lovely building with the square in front of it with the dining tables. Right on the street there, there was a spot with pastries that you could buy from a window and bring over into the square. If it’s there, you have to have a cheese cake for me. It’s not like our cheese cake, but it’s like a little folded up pastry filled with ricotta cheese. They were absolutely THE BEST! Will you check?
The mention of Manoel reminds me that there is an incredible theater called the Manoel Theater in Valletta. It’s very old. Lush with fabulous acoustics. Please got there for a concert. and bring the girls too. I’ll never forget it.
You have more delights in store: Have you peeked into St. John’s Co-Cathedral??
Thanks again for sharing! I’m so happy you are able to do so much exploring!
January 29, 2014 at 1:09 am
So much of that architecture reminds me of Italy! Don’t you wish you could go back in time and watch the daily life in the city? So fascinating. I’m glad you’re scouting out places for us to see when we’re there. Pick the best…we only have 2 days!!
January 29, 2014 at 1:58 am
Nice pictures! Can you still get local sheep milk/cheese? Is there any agricultural activity on the island any more? Do they have daily markets for the locals? Do they have vineyards and local wines? So many questions… so little time… 🙂
February 1, 2014 at 9:26 pm
Ha! You sound like me! I’m slowly learning some of this. Like the Maltese wine is pretty good and fairly inexpensive, but it’s made here with imported grapes. I’m not sure how many vineyards there really are. I guess the expensive wine in restaurants and hotels are from vineyards here. So much of the food here is from continental Europe because trade is easier/cheaper now that Malta is part of the EU. Apparently it’s been hurting some of the local farmers. There little grocery stores everywhere and even carts on some streets, but they aren’t local farmers, just vendors selling produce from a warehouse. Some of it is local, but not all by any means. There is good local cow cheese and milk. I assume the cows are all here – milk would not be so easy to ship! I’ll keep investigating!
January 29, 2014 at 3:53 am
Rachel, I just remembered that those little pastries are called pastizzi.