The Bite Magazine - Summer 2019 - Issue 25

Full of historical and cultural references, Samantha Morgan explores Malta’s capital city of Valletta. bite travel VALLETTA Photography by Ian Gillett M ore T han J ust a H istoric R elic V alletta, the capital of Malta, is called ‘Citta Umilissi- ma’ - The Fortress City or in other words, “a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen”. This living, working city with an administrative and commercial hub at the heart of the island gets its name from Jean Parisot de la Valette, the respected Grand Master of the Order of St. John. It was once a magnificent fortress city on the arid rock of Mount Sceberras Peninsula which rises steeply from two deep harbours Mar- samxett and Grand Harbour. If you’re into art or history you will find some of Europe’s finest artworks, churches and palaces in the narrow streets including votive statues, niches, fountains and coats of arms high up on parapets. Walking through these narrow side streets you will also come across tiny quaint shops and cafés, but if you want something more elaborate, the main streets boast larger international branded shops for fashion, music, and jewellery. They say the best way to get around the city and see everything is by walking which is entirely true. Don’t forget to visit some of Valletta’s beautiful gardens such as Upper Barrakka Gardens, Hastings Gardens, and the Low- er Barrakka Gardens. Absolutely stunning, Upper Barrakka Gardens makes you feel like you’re in absolute paradise. Lo- cated close to Castille Place on the southeastern part of the city, it is perched atop the Grand Harbour, providing incred- ible views of the island. It was created in 1661 and was once the private gardens and exercise grounds of the Knights of the Lange of Italy. Here you will get a panoramic view of nearby cities Birgu, Senglea, and Cospicua while the gardens themselves boast a collection of busts, statues, and plaques that denote various personalities and other significant events in Maltese history. One of these is a bronze piece by famous Maltese sculptor Antonio Sciortino whose work ‘Les Gavroches’ depicts three children hurrying forward, with the statue itself signifying the extreme hardships faced by the Maltese people at the turn of the 20th century.