Valletta

Valletta is the capital city of Malta. It lies between the Grand Harbour to the east and the Marsamxett Harbour to the west. In 2021, the city had a population of 5,157 people.

The city was built in the 16th century by the Knights Hospitaller. It was named after Jean Parisot de Valette, who helped defend Malta against an Ottoman invasion. Valletta has many beautiful old buildings in different styles. During the Second World War, some important places were damaged.

Valletta is known for its strong walls, beautiful palaces, gardens, and churches. In 1980, it became a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In 2018, it was named the European Capital of Culture. It is one of the smallest capital cities in Europe.

Demographics

Valletta had a population of 5,226 as of July 2024. This group included 2,675 males and 2,551 females. Out of these people, 4,400 were Maltese nationals, and 826 were from other countries.

History

See also: Mount Sciberras and Sciberras Peninsula

The land where Valletta now stands was once called Xagħret Mewwija, meaning a sheltered place. Over time, the area became known as Sceberras. The name Xeberras likely comes from very old times and means "the headland."

Valletta was built by the Order of Saint John after they defended Malta in 1565. The city was named after the Grand Master, Jean de Valette. Help came from many European leaders, and the city's design was based on a grid plan with wide, straight streets. Building began in 1566, and by the 1570s, Valletta became Malta's capital.

The city grew with new buildings and defenses. In 1798, French forces took over but were later pushed out by the British. Valletta faced difficult times during World War II due to air raids, but it continues to be an important city.

In 1980, Valletta became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has hosted important meetings and was named European Capital of Culture in 2018.

Government

Local government

Valletta, the capital city of Malta, was founded in 1566. During the time of the Knights of Malta, Valletta had its own local council called the Università. This council handled local matters until 1818, when a British governor took over. Local government returned to Malta in 1993 with the Local Councils Act.

Valletta’s local council was created in 1993, and the first election was held on November 20, 1993. Elections happen regularly, with the most recent one in 2019. The council meets in a building on South Street.

Some of the mayors of Valletta have included Hector Bruno, Paul Borg Olivier, Alexiei Dingli, Christian Micallef, and Alfred Zammit.

National government

Valletta is the capital of Malta and serves as the country’s main administrative and business center. Since 2015, the Parliament of Malta has been located in Parliament House near the city’s entrance. Before that, it was in the Grandmaster’s Palace in the city center. The Grandmaster’s Palace now holds the Office of the President of Malta, and the Auberge de Castille houses the Office of the Prime Minister of Malta. The courthouse and many government offices are also in Valletta.

Geography

The Valletta peninsula has two natural harbours, Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour. The Grand Harbour is Malta's main port. Big ships can stop along an old wall that a leader from Portugal built.

Climate

Main article: Climate of Malta

Valletta has a warm Mediterranean climate. This means it has mild winters with some rain and long, hot, dry summers. The city stays warm, with daytime temperatures usually above 23 °C and cooler nights around 16 °C.

Summer is usually dry, but the air stays humid because Valletta is near the sea. The sea also keeps winter temperatures mild. The city rarely sees frost or snow. The nearest weather station is at Luqa Airport, not far from Valletta. Temperatures there range from about 16 °C in winter to around 32 °C in summer.

Cityscape

Valletta has beautiful buildings from the 1500s to today. It is a cultural center with many churches, palaces, and museums. One important building is St John's Co-Cathedral, which has a large painting by the artist Caravaggio. Another is the Auberge de Castille et Leon, now the office of the Prime Minister of Malta. The Grandmaster's Palace used to be the home of the leader of the Knights of Malta and now holds the President's offices.

The city also has the old Admiralty House, a palace from the late 1500s, and the Manoel Theatre, one of Europe's oldest working theatres. The fortifications around the port, built by the Knights, add to Valletta's special look.

Neighbourhoods

Valletta has several unofficial areas. Strada Rjali is the main street, also called Triq ir-Repubblika. Other areas include l-Arċipierku, close to the Sacra Infermeria, and il-Baviera, named after Auberge de Bavière. Il-Biċċerija is near il-Baviera. Il-Kamrata was once a spiritual retreat. Deux Balles likely got its name from the French occupation. Il-Fossa is near the Jews' Sally Port. Manderaggio was planned as a small harbor but became a place for housing.

Economy

Valletta has many workers. Tourism is very important for the city's economy, especially around the Grand Harbour. Work started on a big cruise terminal called the Valletta Waterfront Project. Valletta is also home to a media company, Allied Newspapers Ltd., which publishes two popular newspapers: Times of Malta and The Sunday Times of Malta.

Education

Valletta has a campus of the University of Malta. It offers special study programs for students from other countries.

There is also a church school called "St. Albert the Great" in Valletta.

Culture

Valletta was named European Capital of Culture in 2018. The celebration started with an event called Erba' Pjazez (Four Squares). This event had shows in four main squares of the city: Triton Square, St. George's Square, St. John's Square, and Castille Square. There was also a public art display called Kif Jgħid il-Malti (Maltese Sayings). This display showed Maltese proverbs carved in gypsum to honor the local language.

Saint James Cavalier, once a defensive tower, is now a creative center. It has a small theater, cinema, music rooms, and art galleries. It has welcomed many visitors since it opened. The Valletta International Baroque Festival happens each January. Jazz music has a long history in the Strait Street area. Valletta is also where the Maltese Carnival takes place every February, leading up to Lent.

The city celebrates several feasts throughout the year, including Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16, Saint Paul on February 10, and Saint Dominic in August. There is also a procession in honor of St. Rita each year.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Malta

Valletta has friendly connections with several cities around the world. These include:

• [Palermo], Italy
• [Pisa], Italy
• [Cortona], Italy, since August 26, 2022
• [Rhodes], Greece
• [Byblos], Lebanon
• [Piran], Slovenia

Transport

Malta International Airport is 8 kilometres from Valletta, in the town of Luqa. Valletta has buses that mostly go to and from the city, stopping just outside the city gate. Traffic inside the city is limited, and some main roads are places where people can walk.

In 2006, a park and ride system began. People could leave their cars in a Floriana car park and take a van to finish their trip. In 2007, a congestion pricing scheme started to help reduce traffic and long-term parking while supporting local businesses. An automated system takes photos of cars entering and leaving the charging zone, and drivers are charged based on how long they stay.

Valletta has electric taxis that can take passengers from 10 different points in the city to any location within Valletta. There are plans for an underground Malta Metro system centered around Valletta. Virtu Ferries provide services for passengers and goods to Pozzallo and Catania in Sicily.

Notable people

Main page: Category:People from Valletta

Valletta, the capital city of Malta, has been home to many important people. The city has helped shape Malta's culture and history. Valletta remains a centre for many influential people in many fields.

Sports

Valletta has many sports teams. There is a football and futsal team called Valletta F.C., and a rugby team named Valletta Lions RFC. The city also has a rowing team at the Marsamxett Harbour that races on Victory Day, September 8th. Other teams include Valletta United W.P.C. for water polo, Valletta V.C. for volleyball, and two boċċi clubs: Marsamxett Boċċi and Valletta St. Paul's Boċċi.