hkskyline's 2017 in Valletta, Malta

[hkskyline]

Valletta was built by the Knights of St. John on a long and narrow peninsula. The planners built tall enough to shade the streets from the sun and straight streets to let the sea breeze blow in. It was heavily fortified, fearing the Turks would invade.

Buses terminate just outside the old city walls and it is an easy walk into the centre. There was a lot of construction happening to build a large public plaza.





































































































More : http://www.globalphotos.org/malta.htm

[ColDayMan]

Awesome.

[xzmattzx]

Great pictures! I hear Malta is becoming a hot destination to visit. My sister wants to go there.

Were there any trees around, besides that area from the first picture? I'm guessing the neighborhood is too dense to allow for trees, but perhaps there's a park tucked away somewhere.

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by xzmattzx

Great pictures! I hear Malta is becoming a hot destination to visit. My sister wants to go there.

Were there any trees around, besides that area from the first picture? I'm guessing the neighborhood is too dense to allow for trees, but perhaps there's a park tucked away somewhere.

Not much trees at all within the historic centre except the city walls. Outside Valletta, there are a lot of smaller villages with plenty of greenery surrounding them.

[Ex-Ithacan]

Interesting looking city. So dense. Thanks for the great pics.

[mrnyc]

fantastic pics - there are lots of people going to see malta these days. i need to get on that.

[cityskyscrapers]

Urban density for sure. Visited in 2010, then the many run-down buildings and the classic British buses that made up Malta's public transport gave the place a special atmosphere. More Valletta in my photo thread from 2011.

[mrnyc]

^ old or to be kind heritage transit definately gives an idiosyncratic vibe — i wonder have they upgraded the transit since then? it seems like even more of a destination over the past decade, i bet their tourist numbers are up.

[jens]

I'm Maltese. Great photos.

A couple of my Malta threads over the years:

Malta - World Heritage Urbanity
Turning the street corner in MALTA

[hkskyline]

Thanks for your comments. Here are some more :

Fort St. Elmo is now home to the National War Museum, which re-opened after a renovation in 2015. The fort was built in 1552 after just 4 months of construction to guard both of Valletta's harbours.



Walk down Mediterranean Street for more views of the Grand Harbour and Lower Barrakka Gardens.





















The Grand Master's Palace was the former seat of Parliament until 2015 when they moved to near the city gate. Its history goes back to the late 16th century when Grand Master Fra Pietro del Monte commissioned the building, which was later enlarged by his successors. It remains the official residence of the president.

[mousquet]

I went a couple of times as a kid with family in the summer. Although I was little, I still have sweet and fun memories. Like a beautiful blue lagoon and some typical landscapes of the region.

It's rather dry in my memories, but again I was there in the hot season. This is really as far to the south and as hot as you can get in Europe.

It's worth a trip. Definitely a best Mediterranean deal along with Croatia. Greece might well be up there too, though I have no experience at all over there

[suburbanite]

Valletta and Mdina were two of the best surprises I came across in the Mediterranean. The extent of the walls and harbour defenses is really quite amazing. Probably one of the most fortified cities ever built, and most of it well-preserved. Fascinating history too with the Knights of St. John.

[hkskyline]

St John's Co-Cathedral ... simply overwhelming!

[mrnyc]

now if that does not drop your jaw i dk what will -- dazzling!

[karishmab]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

St John's Co-Cathedral ... simply overwhelming!

Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful collection! I love all the pics! And you are right, it is simply Overwhelming!