Travel guide

Valletta skyline at sunrise from Sliema © Paul Micallef

Valletta, which is the capital of Malta, has the charm of an Italian city with its many Baroque palaces set on narrow steep streets that form a grid pattern. The city was carefully planned by its founder, Grand Master Fra Jean de la Vallette and the Knights of the Order of St John. The city was 'built by gentlemen for gentlemen' with the first stone being ceremonially laid in 1566 after Ottoman forces withdrew their siege of the Maltese Islands and the Knights of St John took over. The purpose of the city, built in a short span of 15 years on a plateau between two harbours on Malta's northeast coast, was primarily to fortify the island and secondly to provide palaces, Auberges (lodgings) for the eight Knight's groupings (Langues), churches for worship and gardens for recreation. The remnants of the Knight's occupation today characterise Valletta in the form of some splendid Baroque buildings and fortifications, but the majestic architecture manages not to overwhelm the island's carefree personality.

Valletta suffered a great deal of damage during bombing raids in the Second World War. The Battle of Malta and other events involving the islands during the early years of the war are featured in a series of 17th century tunnels, which were turned into a military operations complex during the war. The complex has been restored and now acts as a museum, with charts, models and dioramas.

Address: Lascaris Ditch, Valletta; Telephone: 2123 8396; Transport: On all bus routes; Opening time: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm; Admission: Lm1.75 (adults); 85c (children)

A dramatic presentation that illustrates the history of Malta, from Neolithic to modern times, can be enjoyed at the Mediterranean Conference Centre at St. Elmo's bastion in Valletta. This building itself has been impressively restored, having been built by the Knights in the 1500s as a hospital. The wards, which are great sweeping halls with vaulted ceilings and marble floors, now serve as exhibition areas. A modern theatre has been added where the Malta Experience audio-visual show is offered in 10 languages.

Address: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Mediterranean Street, Valletta; Telephone: 2124 3776 or 2125 1284; Website: www.themaltaexperience.com; Transport: Bus 98; Opening time: Show times: Monday to Friday every hour from 11am to 4pm, Saturdays and Sundays 11am to 1pm (until 2pm from October to June)

The archaeological museum on Republic Street is housed in one of the inns of the Knights of St John, the Auberge de Provence. The museum's focus on Malta’s prehistory includes displays such as the reconstruction of prehistoric remains found at Hypogeum. Items such as pottery, sculptures, statuettes, stone implements and jewellery from the prehistoric, megalithic and temple-building periods are featured, as well as some Punic and Roman tomb furniture. All the exhibits were found on excavations across the Maltese islands.

Address: Charles Borg, Auberge de Provence, Republic Street, Valletta; Telephone: 2122 1623; Website: www.heritagemalta.org; Transport: On all bus routes; Opening time: Daily 9am to 7pm; Admission: Lm1 (adults), 25c (children 6-11)

The Grand Master's palace, built around 1571, today serves as the office of the President and seat of the Maltese Parliament. The palace is a treasure house of art, from the unique collection of Gobelin Tapestries to frescoes depicting the Great Siege of 1565 by Perez d'Aleccio that cover the walls of the Halls of St Michael and St George. Visitors can also view the armoury and state apartments, which are adorned with friezes describing the history of the Order of St John.

Address: Republic Street, Valletta; Telephone: 221 221; Opening time: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4pm (October to mid-June); Monday to Friday 8am to 12.45pm (mid-June to September); Admission: Lm1 (adults); under-19s and over-65s free

Valletta's magnificent medieval cathedral is famous for the painting by Caravaggio, which hangs in its oratory, and the 369 inlaid mosaic marble tombstones that cover its floor. Each tombstone depicts the lives of the Grand Masters of the Order of St John, buried beneath. The façade is rather severe and militaristic, but inside the cathedral is lavishly splendid in the grandest tradition of high Baroque, with every inch of wall covered by carving, while the vaulted ceiling sports paintings depicting the life of St John the Baptist, patron saint of the Knights.

Address: Republic Street; Telephone: 2122 0536; E-mail: info@maltachurch.org.mt; Website: www.stjohnscocathedral.com; Opening time: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm; Saturdays 9.30am to 12.30pm; Admission: Lm2.50 (adults)

Springtime is carnival time in Malta. Carnival week with its traditional boisterous revelry, is centred in the capital Valletta. Carnival includes extravagant gaudy floats, fancy dress, and some wild nightlife in the Paceville club area. Other towns and villages across the island also celebrate their own version of carnival. The tradition started in 1560, when a massed Christian armada became harbour-bound in Malta and some jollification ashore ensued.

The National Art Competition and Exhibition is a major event in Malta's art calendar bringing together more than 100 artists and their work in a single venue making it the largest show of artistic works on the island. Mediums ranging from oils to pastels, from ceramics, to sculpted wood, stone and metal will be displayed in the newly refurbished halls with their high-tech lighting system. The exhibition offers visitors to the Island a chance to see a wide spectrum of Maltese creativity on display. For more information contact info@artsmalta.org

Venue: Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta; Date: 16-29 October 2008; Website: www.artsmalta.org


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