![]() Valletta's most monumental building, the Grandmaster's Palace stands in the center of Palace Square, which is often used for traditional ceremonies. Grandmaster's Palace and Armory Grandmaster's Palace | Photo Copyright: Lisa Alexander Official site: St.Johns Co-Cathedral Map (Historical)Ģ. This area has many quaint shops, cafés, and restaurants.Ī great place to stop is the famous establishment Caffe Cordina (244 Republic Street), a fancy café that serves traditional Maltese pastries along with coffee and tea. The Chapel of the Langue of Italy displays the famous work of Saint-Jerome Writing by Caravaggio.Īfter visiting Saint-John's Co-Cathedral, tourists can walk down Republic Street to explore the area around Palace Square on the way to the next attraction: the Grand Master's Palace. The various chapels of Saint John's Co-Cathedral reflect the different "langues" (regions) of the Knights of Malta who hailed from many different countries in Europe.Īmong the eight chapels are a few must-see highlights: The Chapel of the Langue of Aragon (the region of Catalonia and Navarre in Spain) features Mattia Preti's painting of Saint George on a white stallion after slaying a dragon. The most renowned artwork in the church is The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist by Caravaggio in the Oratory. The nave features opulently decorated, ostentatiously gilded walls and gorgeous ceiling paintings by Mattia Preti, Malta's most famous painter. This cathedral, with its opulent, flamboyant Baroque interior, was built as a symbol of the Knights' success. Saint John's Co-Cathedral reflects the wealth and importance of the Knights of Malta, who protected Europe and the Catholic faith from attacks by the Ottoman Turks in the 16th century. Saint John's Co-Cathedral Saint John's Co-Cathedral | Photo Copyright: Lisa Alexander Learn about the best places to visit in this fascinating city with our list of the top tourist attractions and things to do in Valletta.ġ. Today, Valletta is a real working city and a delightful tourist destination packed with impressive historic monuments and vibrant cultural offerings. Valletta is called "a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen." The grand Baroque architecture reflects the knights' stature as aristocrats from the noblest families in England, France, Spain, and other European countries. Once Valletta became the new military fortress of the Order of Saint John, the knights set out to create a capital city equal to Europe's finest. In 1530, the Spanish King, Charles V, gave Malta to the Knights. The city's history is tied to the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, an 11th-century order that provided shelter for pilgrims in the Holy Land and took on a military role to defend Christianity. The UNESCO-listed capital of Malta stands proudly on one of Europe's grandest harbors, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by some of the mightiest fortifications in the world. Valletta is a distinguished city with a legendary past.
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