Valletta

Scibberas Peninsula

During the Siege

The foundation stone of the city was laid by Grand Master de Valette on 28 March 1566. He died in the same year and did not get to see the completion of Valletta, the city built in his name.

A coin was issued after the Siege which read ”Melita Renascens“ (meaning the rebirth of Malta) it symbolized the hope for the future and the need of reconstruction after the three month long siege

The sword and dagger given to Grand Master Jean Parisot De La Valette (which is on display in the Louvre Museum of Art in France)

The sword was given to Grand Master de Valette by King Philippe II of Spain for his victory against the Ottomans.

A close up photo of the dagger hilt. The sword and dagger will be given to Malta (on loan) in 2018 when Valletta celebrates being chosen as the European City of Culture.

The actual sword (and hat) used by Grand Master De la Valette sits in a small chapel museum in Birgu – Vittoriosa. In June 12, 1798, an agreement was signed between France, represented by General Bonaparte, and the Order, and Maltese officials. (Malta was under French rule between 1798-1800)

"a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen."

The work was under the direction of the famous and great Italian architect, Francesco Laparelli

Never before, had a completely new city been built in Europe straight from the drawing board, since before, towns had grown without any planning. 

Also unique at the time: Laparelli built a garbage disposal and a drainage system. The city was laid out on a regular grid-plan with broad underground ditches and channels.

This meant that the inhabitants could simply throw their garbage into a pit in their courtyard and every morning an army of slaves would come round to collect and dispose of the waste.

Twice a day, the ditches were flushed with fresh seawater while drain water was directed into remote parts of the sea by a separate pipe system, thus saving Valletta's inhabitants from the suffocating decay, which infested most other European cities. 

Some of Valletta’s most historic buildings It was built between 1573 and 1577 by Girolamo Cassar  and is considered his masterpiece. St. John's Co-Cathedral