Valletta is the administrative unit and capital of Malta. Located on the main island, between Marsamxett Harbour to the west and the Grand Harbour to the east, its population within administrative limits in 2014 was 6,444. According to the data from 2020 by Eurostat, the Functional Urban Area and metropolitan region covered the whole island and has a population of 480,134. Valletta is the southernmost capital of Europe, and at just 0.61 square kilometres (0.24 sq mi), it is the European Union’s smallest capital city.
Valletta’s 16th-century buildings were constructed by the Knights Hospitaller. The city was named after Jean Parisot de Valette, who succeeded in defending the island from an Ottoman invasion during the Great Siege of Malta. The city is Baroque in character, with elements of Mannerist, Neo-Classical and Modern architecture, though the Second World War left major scars on the city, particularly the destruction of the Royal Opera House. The city was officially recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. Today, with 320 monuments, is one of the most dense monuments areas in the world. Sometimes called an “open-air museum”, Valletta was chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2018. Valletta is also the sunniest city in Europe.
The city is noted for its fortifications, consisting of bastions, curtains and cavaliers, along with the beauty of its Baroque palaces, gardens and churches. (Wikipedia)
Strada Britannica, Valletta, Malta, circa late 1840s. Possibly one of the earliest street photographs taken in MaltaValletta showing Upper Barrakka in the background before Fort Lascaris was built, 1848Auberge de Castille, Valletta, Malta, 1854Marsamscetto Valletta Malta showing the spire of St. Paul’s Anglican cathedral, 1854Valletta street scene in Malta, circa 1854Kingsway, Valletta, Malta, 1859. Pre Opera House and pre Buttigieg Francia buildingGrand Harbour at Valletta with Marina Gate at lower left circa 1860sPonsomby’s column on St.Andrew’s bastion, Valletta, circa 1860Valletta rooftops with Fort Ricasoli in the background, circa 1860sHMS Neptune at Grand Harbour, Malta, 1862Main Guard, Valletta, Malta, 1865Marina Gate, Valletta, Malta, 1865St. George’s Square Valletta , British Army Bands, 1868British troop ship in Grand Harbour, Malta, circa 1870sGrand Harbour Malta with Liesse Church , Fish Market & Fort Lascaris in foreground, circa 1870sGrand Harbour, Malta, circa 1870sGrand Harbour, Malta, circa 1870sGrand Harbour, Valletta, Malta, circa 1870sLiesse Hill Street & Grand Harbour, circa 1870sMain Guard, Valletta, Malta, 1870Marsamscetto Curtain, Valletta, Malta, 1870St. John Co-cathedral, Valletta, Malta, circa 1870sSt. Michael’s bastion, Valletta, Malta, circa 1870sStrada Forni, Valletta, Malta, circa 1870s. House on the left belonged to Sir Adrian DingliStrada Reale by North Street, Valletta, Malta, 1870Strada Santa Lucia, Valletta, Malta, circa 1870sValletta port scene, circa 1870sValletta port scene, circa 1870sValletta rooftops and Grand Harbour, circa 1870sValletta street scenes, Malta, circa early 1870sKing’s Gate or Porta Reale, Valletta, Malta, 1871Lower Barakka Garden, Valletta, Malta in 1871Royal Opera House in Valletta, Malta, a year or so before the fire of 1873Grand Harbour Malta with Floriana at background right side, 1875Kingsway, Valletta, Malta, 1875St. Ursula Street, Valletta, Malta in 1875Old Bakery Street, Valletta, Malta in 1876Strada Teatro, Valletta, Malta, 1876Kingsway, Valletta, Malta, 1878Old Bakery Street, Valletta, Malta, 1879St John Street, Valletta, Malta in 1879Grand Harbour in Valletta with Floriana in background, circa 1880sMarsamscetto and Valletta rooftops, Malta, 1880St. John Street, Valletta, Malta, circa 1880Steamship at Valletta harbour, Malta, circa 1880Strada Teatro, Valletta, Malta, 1880sTelegraph Company at 6&7 Marsamscetto Road, Valletta, Malta, circa 1880sSt. John Street, Valletta, Malta, 1881St. Lucia Street, Valletta, Malta, 1881Strada Reale, Valletta, Malta, 1883Marina Gate Demolition, Valletta, Malta, April 1884Kingsway, Valletta, Malta in 1888St. George’s Square, Valletta, Malta, 1898Kingsway, Valletta, Malta, circa 1890sMain Guard with British Troops on St. George’s Square, Valletta in 1899Malta Railway, 1890sMarsamscetto, Valletta, Malta in 1899Marsamscetto, Valletta, Malta, circa 1890sNaval band march down East street in Valletta, Malta, circa 1890sStrada Reale, Valletta, Malta, circa 1890sThe Victoria Gate, Valletta, Malta, circa 1890s
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