Valletta, Malta’s capital city, was founded in 1566 following the Great Siege of 1565. Designed by the Knights of St. John, it was built as a fortified Renaissance city to serve as both a military stronghold and an administrative centre. Its grid-based layout and extensive fortifications reflected advanced urban planning for the time.

The city quickly developed into the political, religious, and cultural heart of Malta. Magnificent Baroque buildings, including St. John’s Co-Cathedral and the Grandmaster’s Palace, symbolised the power and prestige of the Knights. Valletta’s location overlooking the Grand Harbour reinforced its strategic importance in Mediterranean trade and defence.

After a brief period of French rule, Valletta became a key British naval base in the 19th and early 20th centuries. During World War II, the city suffered extensive bombing due to its strategic importance but retained much of its historic character and architectural integrity.

In 1980, Valletta was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognising its exceptional architectural, historical, and urban value. Reflecting its continued cultural significance, Valletta was named European Capital of Culture in 2018, a milestone that highlighted the city’s artistic life, heritage preservation, and role as a modern cultural hub.

Today, Valletta functions as Malta’s administrative capital and a vibrant cultural centre, where historic landmarks coexist with state institutions, festivals and public spaces.