Sightseeing OverviewThe honey-colored streets of Valletta, with many buildings dating back several centuries, are a sight in themselves and wherever you look there is evidence of the Knights of St John - from their
auberges (inns) to their hospital, their forts, their fortifications, their cathedral and greatest of all the Grand Master’s Palace. There are a number of exhibitions and ‘experiences’ reinterpreting the past, but the best way to get a handle on the history of the city is to take a boat trip around Grand Harbour and a guided tour of Fort St Elmo before
visiting the Grand Master’s Palace. World War II is covered in
The National War Museum and the underground
Lascaris War Rooms. The
National Museum of Archaeology scrapes the surface of the distant past but to delve deeper you need to travel just out of the capital, most notably to the
Hypogeum at Paola.
Tourist InformationValletta Tourist Office 1 City Arcades
Tel: 21 237 747.
Opening hours: 0830 to 1800 Monday to Saturday; Sunday 0830 to 1400. Closed on public holidays.
There is also an office at the airport in the Arrivals Lounge (tel: 23 696 073/4) open for incoming flights. Both offices provide general tourist information and can assist with finding accommodation.
Key Attractions:Grand Master’s Palace The Grand Master was the head of the Order of the Knights of St John, and a total of 21 incumbents lived in this sumptuous building from 1575 until 1798, when the island was surrendered to Napoleon and the Order disbanded.
Republic Street
Tel: 21 221 221.
St John’s Co-
Cathedral One of the largest and most spectacular churches in Europe, this 16th-century masterpiece boasts a spectacular floor laid almost entirely with some 400 marble tombstones dedicated to the Knights of St John, and flamboyant frescoes which cover the walls and tunnel-vaulted ceiling.
St John’s Square
Tel: 21 220 536.
Fort St Elmo This small star-shaped fort is where the bloodiest, most epic battle of the Great Siege of Malta was fought and its history is brought to life by daily guided tours and the spectacular
In Guardia costumed re-enactment which is staged weekly.
Mediterranean Street
The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum The
Hypogeum (the word means ‘underground chamber’) is easily the most interesting and atmospheric of Malta’s many famous prehistoric temples and because of its state of preservation and excellent interpretation, it is the key to understanding Malta’s ancient temple culture.
Cemetery Street, Paola, 5km (3 miles) south of Valletta
Tel: 21 825 579.
Website:
www.heritagemalta.org Admission is by guided tour only, and must be reserved in advance.
The Malta Experience The best audio-visual show on the island, set in an historic building, offering an excellent introduction to the history and special sights of Malta and Gozo. Shows throughout the day Mon-Fri; Sat-Sun last show at noon.
St Elmo Bastions, Mediterranean Street
Tel: 21 243 776 or 21 251 284.
Website:
www.themaltaexperience.com Further Distractions:Vittoriosa The headquarters of the knights before neighboring Valletta was built,
Vittoriosa today is a quiet atmospheric residential district retaining many historical landmarks open to the public, most notably the
Old Naval Bakery (now the
Maritime Museum) and the
Inquisitor’s Palace.
Maritime Museum Vittoriosa Wharf
Tel: 21 660 052.
Website:
www.heritagemalta.org Inquisitor’s Palace Main Gate Street
Tel: 21 663 731.
Website:
www.heritagemalta.org Great Siege of Malta and the Knights of St John Tableaux, touch screens, talking heads, videos and other special effects whisk you through the history of the Knights of St John, culminating in their finest hour during the Great Siege.
Republic Square
Tel: 21 247 300.
Website:
www.greatsiege.com.mt
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The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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