Valetta / Malta

Adria with Croatia 

July 24 - July 31, 2022

Valetta on Arrival Day

Today we are starting another cruise in Valetta. Since our flight was early and it will take some time until we can access our cabin, I would like to share a few impressions of this city with you. 

From the cruise terminal, which is one of the most beautiful, we will walk along the city wall above the sea this time. Passing by the Greek Catholic Church of Our Lady of Damascus and the buildings featuring the characteristic Maltese wooden balconies known as 'Gallariji'. We take the underpass of the Lascaris Battery. From the waterfront, there are repeated views of Fort St. Angelo and the city of Valletta.

We reach the Siege Bell Memorial bell. It was inaugurated in 1992 to commemorate the siege of Malta during World War II. 

From there you have a view of Valetta's coastline and the old fortifications. 

Now we turn towards the city in the direction of Lower Barrakka Gardens.  A public park in Valetta. Here is the monument for Sir Alexander Ball and the statue of Aeneas (Enea) by Ugo Attardi. 

Through the streets of the historic old town, we arrive at St. George's Square, a central square in Valetta with the Grand Master's Palace. In the meantime, the streets have become a bit livelier. We walk towards the waterfront, passing the monument of Jean de Valette, the founder and namesake of this city, and the Our Lady of Victory Church (Maria-vom-Siege-Kirche). It was the first building constructed by the Knights of Malta after the founding of the city. The monument to Paul Boffa, the 5th Prime Minister, is located in close proximity to the church. 

On the way to our final destination, the Upper Barrakka Gardens, we pass the Auberge de Castille, the residence of the Prime Minister. 

The Upper Barrakka Gardens are public gardens at the highest point of the city fortifications and offer a spectacular view of the Grand Harbour and the 'Three Cities'. Here you have the opportunity to relax and enjoy a coffee or other drinks. 

From the Upper Barrakka Gardens, you can take the Barrakka Lift down to the lower city at the waterfront.  Of course, you can also go from the lower city to the upper city. However, this lift is subject to a fee. Since we are fit to walk, we choose the stairs and roads to the lower city. Last glimpses before returning to the cruise terminal. 

Valletta also offers a few interesting sights even for a short stay.