![]() Republic Street and Merchant Streetĭuring your visit to Valletta, you shouldn’t miss the 2 main shopping streets. I book my boat tour now! I want to take a traditional boat tour The Siege Bell War Memorial, often simply called “The Bell” is a very photogenic monument, with the sea and the Three Cities in the background.The small neoclassical temple, dedicated to Alexander Ball, the gentleman who led the Maltese in war against the French.Smaller than its big brother, it is especially worth a look for 2 things: The Lower Barrakka Gardens, is a bit further along the seashore, close to Fort Saint Elmo. You may suspect that if there are Upper Gardens, there must be Lower Gardens as well. A salvo is fired every day at 12:00, by people in historic costumes. Once used to greet foreign ships, the cannons have been restored to bring a bit of folklore to your visit of the city. Finding a bit of greenery and shade during the hot Maltese summer feels good!īelow the gardens, you will find the Saluting Battery. It’s a very pleasant place to rest a bit during the day. Overlooking Grand Harbour, the Upper Barrakka Gardens, with its numerous arches, benches and flower beds offers a breathtaking view over the Three Cities. What you can do however, is head to Upper Barrakka Gardens, a garden located in the centre of Valletta to attend one of the capital’s major attractions. This may surprise you at first, but don’t worry, there is no need to go back to the Armoury to arm yourself, the situation is under control! Upper and Lower Barrakka GardensĮvery day at noon, you can hear cannon shots in Valletta. The price is 12€ for about 2 hours of visit. They really shows the visitor how heavy was the military equipment and gives you a glimpse of what war was at that time. This one is also really worth a look if you are in Malta! Nearly 5000 armors, crossbows, muskets and swords are exposed. I visited the Royal Armoury of Turin, in Italy, 2 months before and I was particularly thrilled. That explains why there are so many to admire today! When a knight died, his armour became the property of the order. All of them are authentic and were used by the Knights and Grand Masters of the Order of Malta. In the part of the palace that used to be stables, you can also visit the armoury: it houses an impressive collection of weapons and armors. Today, Maltese presidents still welcome foreign guests here. Finally you can discover the ambassador’s room, the former Grand Master’s audience chamber. You can also visit the official dining room, the Supreme Council Hall and the Page’s Waiting Room (the grand master had 16 servants!). Inside the palace, you will have access to the State Rooms, which includes the Council Chamber and its magnificent drapes made by the Gobelins manufactory. It’s actually quite surprising that, although housing one of the highest authorities of the country, the palace can be visited freely.įrom the start, you will be surprised by the beautiful courtyards with fountains and statues: a bit of shade is more than welcome during the hot days. Nowadays, the palace houses the President of Malta Office. The Grand Master’s Palace is the second major tourist attraction of Valletta.Īs its name suggest, it was originally the Grand Masters of the Order of Malta’s residence. You can find all the information you need to visit the cathedral on the official website. Anyway, it’s not a very good idea to wear high heels to walk in the cobbled alleys of Valletta! Ladies are not allowed to wear high heels because they could damage the precious floor. In order to get in, you need to follow the dress-code: shawls are distributed inside to cover your arms and legs. And as if that wasn’t enough to dazzle you, the pillars and walls are all covered with magnificent golden decorations! Lastly, you will have the opportunity to admire some of Caravaggio’s paintings. You can also discover the eight chapels, each dedicated to one of the languages of the Order and richly decorated. The vault is entirely covered with frescoes depicting the life of St. The marble floor decorated with coat of arms houses the Knights of the Order tombs. When I walked in, I didn’t know what to look at first! At first glance, there is so much things to see that it’s even a bit confusing. Its somewhat simple facade hides a breathtaking interior. Let’s start your visit to Valletta with a masterpiece of Baroque art: St. Visit Valletta: The 10 Must-See Attractions and Points of Interest You’re traveling in Malta? These articles will help you!.1) The best activities in Malta (and from Malta).The Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum Visit Valletta: The 10 Must-See Attractions and Points of Interest. ![]()
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