Every year, thousands of visitors from all over the world fall in love with our majestic capital city. We don’t blame them – locals who’ve lived here all their lives are still captivated by the enchanting beauty of Grand Master La Vallette’s brainchild. Here are just a few things you might not know about Valletta!
1. It wasn’t our first capital city
That’s right! Valletta’s foundation stone was laid in 1566, becoming our capital on the 18th of March 1571 when Grand Master Pierre de Monte moved his seat of power to the city. Prior to that, Mdina and Vittoriosa held the title.
2. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site
…and has been since 1980! This historic city isn’t just a stunning example of baroque architecture – it’s home to about 320 monuments, a hauntingly beautiful ruined opera house, and an awe-inspiring co-cathedral.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaKkmvuFY6F/?tagged=stjohnscocathedral
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaOHTLLHDAp/3. And Valletta is set to be European Capital of Culture 2018!
Yep! It may be the smallest capital in the European Union, but Valletta boasts a rich history and is packed with culture. That means you’ll never be short on fun things to see and do there!
4. It’s got the oldest working theatre in Europe
The gorgeous Manoel Theatre is the place to be if you’re looking for an evening filled with drama (the good kind, of course). This gem was built by the Knights of the Order of St. John, and has seen countless spectacular performances across its stage.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZtTFAbHOd-/5. There’s an entire world under the city’s streets
We’re not kidding! Take a peak under the city and you’ll find winding subterranean tunnels dating back to the Knights of Malta.
6. It’s a bit of a movie star
Valletta has featured in Gladiator and Troy to name just a couple of hit movies, and the city was even played the role of King’s Landing in the wildly popular series, Game of Thrones!
Looking for the perfect place to stay in Valletta? Get in touch with us today!
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