Superbissima Valleta

Supperbissima – “most proud” – is an apt description of Valletta, a small Mediterranean island in Malta just south of Sicily. The city stands tall and proud with its quintessentially Baroque construction surrounded by formidable fortification.  Valletta’s founding dates back to 1566, when the first stone was laid by Jean Parisot de la Vallete of the religious Order of St. John – for whom the city was named after. Since then Valletta has grown into a beautiful city of gorgeous churches and imposing palaces. Unfortunately, the city’s architectural treasures suffered much destruction during World War II.  Major restoration projects were then carried out and Valltetta has been restored to its former glory.   When approaching from the sea, visitors will notice the outstanding fortification that seems to embrace the city. Unlike other fortifications which are nothing but a crude wall of stone, Valletta’s wall is a stunning expanse (standing at 330 feet high) artfully decorated by bastions, ravelins and curtains, which make it quite a sight to see.    Since the city was built and established by a religious order, it is a treasure trove of churches that are among the oldest and most opulent in the world. Grand palaces also abound in Valletta, thanks to men of nobility that were the city’s founders and builders. One thing is for sure, there will be no shortage of architectural treats when visiting the capital of Malta.  Its museums were former palaces that house historically relevant and remarkable masterpieces of art, armory collections and archeological finds. For one, the National Museum of Archaeology should not be missed. It displays exceptional exhibits of artifacts from Malta’s prehistoric period some of which were considered as the first man-made free-standing structures on earth.   For a picture-perfect over view of the harbor, the Upper Barrakka Gardens is the place to be. The Lower Barrakka Gardens, on the other hand, offer a beautiful panorama of some of Valletta’s landmarks such as Fort Ricasoli, Fort St. Angelo and Bighi Palace interlaced by the Vittoriosa and Kalkara creeks.   If you can’t wait to leave a bus terminal when traveling, you will not feel the same seeing Valletta’s bus terminus. A charming watchtower stands sentry overlooking the terminal of white and yellow buses and at the center of the main terminus is the Triton Fountain. Visitors can sit back and rest their feet in one of the many little cafes and shops in the area and still enjoy some of the city’s visual charms.   The Valletta Waterfront is perfect for a romantic evening. It is located near Floriana and composed of a long line of warehouses dating back about 250 year. These warehouses were given a chic face lift and now look elegant and graceful with their pastel exterior and stylish furnishings. Add the beautiful reflection on water of the buildings with their soft lighting and the mood is set for a wonderful evening.   Moving around Valletta shouldn’t be a problem. Although the streets within the city center are mostly pedestrian and entrance of motor vehicles is limited, there are plenty of hop-on hop-off buses that will take you to all major destinations easily and cheaply.  Also, walking is a great way to experience the city.  Bringing rental cares to Valletta should be avoided if possible since parking can be expensive (billed depending on parking duration) and private cars may not be allowed within the city center.