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Valletta, the capital built by Jean de la Valette, reflects some of Malta's rich heritage of archaeology, history, architecture, art and culture. The magnificence and the glory are too good to be true. |
Upper Barracca Gardens
The Upper Barracca Gardens are situated near Castille Place. From these gardens you can enjoy unrivalled views across one of the world's largest and deepest natural harbours, the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities. The origins of the Upper Barracca gardens go back to 1661, when in effect it was a 'private' garden of the Italian knights, whose inns of residence (auberges) lie close by. It was not before 1824 that it was opened as a public garden. The Saluting battery, which in the past used to boast 18 bronze cannons, was open to the public only in 1924 when the staircase linking the two areas was built.
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National Museum of Archaeology Historical collections covering Maltese archaeology are housed in the Auberge de Provence, Valletta, one of the Inns of the Knights of St John. Collections of prehistoric pottery, sculpture, statuettes, stone implements and personal ornaments recovered from the Maltese megalithic temples and other pre-historic sites are exhibited. |
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Typical examples of tomb furniture of the Punic and Roman periods are also displayed. After two years of refurbishment, the Museum now boasts new prehistoric galleries. In addition to these galleries, the Museum will eventually have floors dedicated to the Bronze, Punic, Roman, Byzantine, Baroque and modern ages.
The National Museum of Fine Arts
The National Museum of Fine Arts is well worth a visit both for the art collection it houses and to see one of Valletta's most elegant palaces. This splendid palace, known as Admiralty House during the British period, was originally erected in 1570 and restored in the 1960s. From 1821 to 1961, it was the official residence of the British Naval Commander-in-Chief and hosted famous naval men - the last being Lord Mountbatten of Burma, commander of the British fleet in the Mediterranean during World War II. Today, it houses a valuable collection of art with works by Domenico de Michelino, Carpaccio, Perugino, Tintoretto, Guido Reni, Mathias Stromer, Mattia Preti, Ribera, Tiepolo, Antoine de Favray and Claude Vernet. A section of the museum is devoted to works by Maltese artists and sculptors such as Antonio Sciortino, Edward Caruana Dingli, Francesco Zahra and contemporary artists. Also on show are sculpture and furniture and other works of art connected with the Order of St John, notably the `monetarium' - a collection of coins and medals that can be viewed by appointment.
Manoel Theatre
One of the oldest theatres in Europe still in operation, Manoel Theatre is officially the country’s National Theatre and over the years has hosted countless productions by both local talent and international stars.</
