Things to see and do Valette

Guarded by two sturdy bronze cannons, it's one of the city's masterpieces, for its historical and architectural value. And if you're only going to visit once, this is the one to choose. An inscription near the side entrance, through which the knights entered, reminds us mortals of the brevity of our passage on earth: "You who walk on the dead, remember that one day you will be walked on" Built between 1575 and 1577, St. John's Co-Cathedral was designed by Gerolamo Cassar. It is his masterpiece. It was financed by Grand Master Jean l'Evesque de La Cassière and dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, patron saint of the Order. At the time, Malta's cathedral was Saint-Paul de Mdina. In 1816, under English rule, Pope Pius VII granted it the status of co-cathedral, a remarkable status given that few dioceses have two cathedrals. Consecrated on February 20, 1578, it was enriched for two centuries by each of the grand masters, who were required to make a donation on election. The exterior is sober, with a simple, symmetrical façade and Doric columns framing the entrance.

Note the three clocks on the right pediment, indicating the day, date and time. Opposite the building is a small square, guarded by a bust of Enrico Mizzi, where you'll find it pleasant to lounge under a parasol after your visit.

While the exterior appears almost austere, the interior is sumptuous and extremely ornate, having been extensively decorated by Mattia Preti at the height of the Baroque period (carved stone walls, etc.). The high, majestic vaults and the marble floor under which the knights sleep give the cathedral an atmosphere of great solemnity... In all, over 400 knightly tombs in red, white and black marble, with skeletons and coats of arms.

The workmanship of the marble, imported from Italy, most often from Carrara, is impressive in the co-cathedral. Following the work, the marble tradition is still very much alive on the island, although this material, absent from Malta, is necessarily imported. Although it is no longer possible to be buried with the great masters in St. John's Co-Cathedral, it is still possible to have a marble tombstone made in Mdina Cathedral.

Oratory Museum. The Co-Cathedral Museum houses Caravaggio's famous painting, The Beheading of St. John (1608), on display in the oratory. The ultimate work of Malta's greatest painter, it is said to be the only painting to bear the artist's signature (visible in the blood of St. John).

The museum also features 28 Flemish tapestries from the ^17th and ^18th centuries. One series illustrates the story of Christ, the others are allegories. Based on designs by Rubens and a drawing by Poussin for The Last Supper, they were once used to decorate the interior of the cathedral. Only one tapestry depicts the man who commissioned them, Grand Master Perellos Roccaful, but all bear his coat of arms. All the gifts he made to the cathedral are recorded in embroidery. The museum also houses priestly vestments and silverware, which escaped Napoleonic plunder in 1798.

A visit to the Hal-Saflieni Hypogeum takes you deep into the bowels of the island, and is a must when visiting archaeological sites. You'll have the opportunity to visit the oldest example of a prehistoric hypogeum in the world. In Europe, it's the only known example of such a complex, dating from 4000 to 2500 BC, and its refined architecture and state of preservation make it an essential monument to the prehistoric era. As such, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Entering this vast underground complex is bound to move you. Like a labyrinth, the hypogeum is a necropolis made up of rooms linked by passages and staircases. The site has lost some of its charm thanks to the modern facilities that have been installed, but it remains extremely interesting nonetheless. The tour lasts around fifty minutes and includes an audiovisual experience in two rooms, followed by an automated tour of the site. Multilingual audio guides are available, enabling you to follow the entire tour in French.
The site was discovered in 1902 by workers digging a well for a house built on the site. Between 1903 and 1906, Father Magri carried out intensive excavations of the site, but died before publishing his work. Investigations resumed in 1907 under the direction of Temi Zammit. We now know that it took years to build this underground complex. It was dug into the rock over 3 storeys using simple hardstone tools, and reached 11 metres below today's street level. Built between 4,000 and 2,500 BC, it served as a resting place for probably over 7,000 people. Those buried were accompanied by their jewelry and pottery.
The oldest, upper level (4,000 BC) may originally have been a natural cave that expanded over time. The other two lower levels were dug entirely out of the rock, with the chambers linked by passages, platforms and galleries. The features of the middle level closely resemble some of the elements found in contemporary aerial megalithic complexes. This intermediate level is captivating, with murals executed in red ochre and architectural elements carved in living rock. Numerous statuettes, amulets, vases and figurines have been discovered in the hypogeum. Among these is the Sleeping Lady, on display at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. This is a unique and remarkable work of art, distinct throughout the European Neolithic.
It is clear that the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum demonstrates a relationship between the society of the living and the afterlife. "On entering the Hypogeum, in the dim light of torches that reveal the tangle of caves and galleries, as well as the strange lines of this extraordinary architecture, one retains an impression of astonishment. An air of profound mystery pervades the place, and visitors feel the need to stop and get a general view of the walls of the wasps' nest before observing each cavity and passage in detail. When you get used to the darkness, you're immediately struck by the weirdness of the architectural style". Themistocle Zammit (1864-1935).

The Heritage Malta Association offers a discounted pass to visit the historical sites. This pass allows thirty days' access to Malta's sites and museums (except Hal Saflieni Hypogeum and Underground Valletta) as well as the Malta National Aquarium and the Citadel Visitors' Center in Victoria (on the island of Gozo), via a single visit to each site per person. You can find more information about these various historical sites and museums on the Heritage Malta website.

Situated at the top of the bastions of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul, these pleasant Baracca gardens are home to a wide variety of species (pines, oleanders, eucalyptus, hibiscus, pistachio trees...) and offer the opportunity for green walks in the heart of the capital. Maltese and tourists alike come here during the day and especially in the evening to admire the "most beautiful natural harbour in the world": the incredible panorama of the three cities opposite. From the gardens, you'll have a breathtaking view of Birgu's Fort Saint-Ange, and from the ancient ramparts, you can also see the districts of Senglea and Cospicua, the main port and the sea. Also on the quayside are the customs buildings from which the dghajsas ( Maltese gondola-shaped boats painted in bright colors) depart to visit the ports. From the balconies of Baracca, you can see as far as Mdina and its cathedral. It's Valletta's postcard and the scene of your greatest photographic exploits if you manage to avoid the shipyard cranes in your panoramic shot, which will also include the church of San Paola de Tarxien and the disused former British hospital, jutting out from the promontory near Fort St. Angelo. With the right eyes, you'll be able to spot Paola's mosque. Still on the left, you'll notice the Ricasoli fort, built by an Italian knight, on the prow facing the sea. Built in 1663, during the reign of Grand Master Nicolas Cotoner, they are also known as the "Italian Gardens", as they were originally the private domain of the Italian knights. A little later, Grand Master Fra Flaminio Balbiani built the arches that can still be seen today. They were originally covered by a roof to protect walkers from the sun. Later, the English installed several statues. You can see some of them, including a bust of Winston Churchill. The funeral monument is dedicated to Sir Thomas Maitland, one of the island's English governors in the ^19th century. The sculpture Les Gavroches by Maltese artist Sciortino (one of his masterpieces) is also among the most visible pieces. The large renovated building at the entrance to the gardens is the Malta Stock Exchange. Below, you can see a row of cannons known as the Saluting Battery. This is where you take the elevator that links Upper Barakka Gardens to the Grand Harbour. Inaugurated in December 2012, it has a futuristic design, stretches 58 meters and carries 21 passengers for 25 seconds.

Projected on a panoramic screen, this 45-minute film retraces the history of Malta, with commentaries that can be followed in French or in twenty other languages, as desired. To watch it, you will be comfortably seated in the half-light. The commentary is very well done, very detailed, very well illustrated and the film is a most interesting historical and cultural presentation. Ideal if you wish to get a first idea of the island before discovering it or to complete your knowledge if you have not been able to visit it as a whole.

This magnificent museum boasts a spectacular collection, providing a fascinating insight into the prehistory and early history of the Maltese islands. With artefacts ranging from Malta's Neolithic period (5900-2500 BC) to the early Phoenician period (^8th-6th century BC), the National Museum of Archaeology will undoubtedly be your first port of call for understanding the richness of the land you are about to visit, and learning more about its inhabitants and their ancestors.
The first stage of the visit, the first floor is dedicated to the Neolithic period. It features the first tools and vessels used by prehistoric man to facilitate his daily tasks. Representations of animal and human figures not only show the advanced artistic skills of the first islanders, but also give us a glimpse into their daily lives. These objects come from various Maltese sites that have been classified as Unesco World Heritage Sites, such as the megalithic temples and the hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni. This includes such illustrious objects as "The Sleeping Lady", the Venus of Malta and the colossal statue from the prehistoric complex of Hal-Tarxien.
The upper floor currently houses sections from the Bronze Age and the Phoenician period. The majority of objects range in size from small ritual vessels to funerary urns and amphorae. Phoenician objects in glass and gold, as well as an impressively large terracotta sarcophagus, also feature prominently in this section. The National Museum, housed in the Auberge de Provence, is a fine example of the Baroque style that flourished in Malta under the Knights of the Order of St. John. Dating from 1571, it housed the Provençal-speaking knights. Particularly noteworthy is the upper floor, which houses the Grand Salon, a uniquely large painted room with decorations dating from the early 1800s. This space is currently used for national exhibitions and events such as conferences, fashion shows, photo shoots and TV shoots.
The National Museum of Archaeology also organizes regular temporary exhibitions designed to showcase the objects in its storerooms.

The city gate is located between the bastions of Santiago and Saint John. A bridge over the deep moat surrounding Valletta leads to this gate. Throughout history, Valletta has had five different gates: the first built during the reign of John of Valletta, the second attributed to Tommaso Dingli, the third during the English occupation and the fourth in Italian style. The fifth gate was part of the renovation project of the entrance to the city orchestrated by the architect Renzo Piano, which is now in place. A project launched notably for the festivities of "Valletta, European Capital of Culture" in 2018 by UNESCO. It was part of the large urban renewal complex that combines old stones and modernity. Located at the entrance to the Walled City, between the moat and the main square (Place de la Liberté), it included the remodelling of the city gates and moat, the construction of a new building and the transformation of the ruins of the Opera House - bombed during the Second World War - into an open-air theatre. A project that has been much talked about in Malta, as it originally envisaged the construction of the Parliament building on the remains of the Opera House. Renzo Piano's project to preserve these remains finally convinced the Maltese people, although it included the destruction of part of the old city gates to allow them to open and the construction of a modern building in the heart of the Baroque city. The idea was to preserve the city's architectural heritage while creating a contemporary civic and cultural meeting place.

Thecentral square adorned by the majestic Triton Fountain also completed its renovation in 2019, as the three bronze tritons were completely restored in a prestigious Florentine foundry. The fountain is now pedestrianized and the water features are particularly appreciated at night.

The gate of the Fortified City and the moat. The austere City Gate built by the English to defend the city was destroyed and replaced by two majestic staircases that allow pedestrian communication from one side to the other of the old city, previously divided in two. The very deep moat has been transformed into a garden planted with trees and a pedestrian promenade. It can be reached by a staircase on the right, once you have passed the gate. The visiting hours are not clearly explained but the closing is apparently announced in advance.

Its distinguishing feature is that it demonstrates the evolution of building techniques that is reflected in its architecture. It was excavated between 1915 and 1919, and it is thanks to the diligence of the excavation director, Sir Temi Zammit, that a wealth of information has been recovered from this site about the Neolithic of the Maltese Islands.

Access to the site is via the curved façade of the south building. Just before the entrance are some strange round stones which may have been used at the time of construction to transport and position the megalithic blocks chosen to erect the walls of the complex. The door to this building was restored in the 1950s, when a large number of megaliths were restored thanks to a grant from the Carnegie Association. Inside are carved friezes and animal reliefs, and a large statue of which only the feet and legs remain. Originally, this statue must have been almost 3 m high, making a very dramatic impression on anyone entering the building. In another part of the room is a stone block covered with spirals and surmounted by a niche. Animal bones were found in a hollow inside this block, which, along with other animal bones found in other parts of the complex, suggests that feasting took place in these buildings in the Neolithic period.

The south building leads to another building in the center of the complex. This is the largest, built later than the others. At its entrance are large blocks that originally housed a door or screen, beyond which is a central courtyard, in the middle of which is a fireplace. Fire was certainly important in these complexes, providing warmth and light, and probably used to cook shared food. In the inner chambers are large stones covered with beautiful spiral motifs. A small chamber also features reliefs of two cows or bulls and a sow with piglets.

An opening leads to the east building, beyond which the remains of the easternmost structure can be seen. The number of buildings, their size and the total extent of the complex, together with the discovery of other Neolithic remains in the vicinity of the Tarxien prehistoric complex, clearly show that the whole area was a center of activity in the Neolithic period.

Designed by Cassar, the Grand Masters' Palace was built between 1570 and 1580 as the official residence of the Grand Masters. Later, it was also used by English governors. Since 1921, the palace has housed the Chamber of Deputies and, since 1974, the office of the President of the Republic. Of its two inner courtyards, the largest is the Cour de Neptune, whose bronze statue was commissioned by the Grand Master, Alof de Wignacourt. It adorned the fish market until the English governor Le Marchand had it moved to the palace. A cloister of local stone surrounds the courtyard. Beautiful balustrades can be seen on the second floor, where the nobles lived. In the second courtyard, that of Prince Alfred, the clock indicating the hours, days, months and cycles of the Moon is a gift from the great Portuguese master, Manoel Pinto de Fonseca. Two bronze Moors chime the hours.
At the far right after the entrance, a commemorative plaque lists the names of the various Grand Masters of Malta, the first on the list being Philippe de Villiers de L'Isle-Adam. In the entrance corridor, paintings by Niccolo Nasoni evoke the naval battles between the Order's knights and the Turks. The rooms are decorated with portraits of the great masters and with armor. The floor was covered with marble on the initiative of the English governor Le Marchand in the ^19th century.
The Salle des Tapisseries displays a complete series of tapestries by the famous Gobelins manufactory, executed by order of King Louis XIV at the request of the Prince of Nassau. These "Indian hangings", commissioned by the great master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful and created in 1697, depict exotic fauna and flora, more or less imaginary.
These superb compositions of colorful, exuberant scenes, full of life and movement, were for the most part inspired by the Prince's travels. During his hunts in Africa or his campaigns in the Mediterranean, he was always accompanied by a painter. The painter produced "on-the-spot" sketches for the artisans at the Manufacture des Gobelins to draw inspiration from. Connoisseurs will appreciate the precision and meticulousness of the work: 256 threads per square inch, or around 6 cm², which is the mark of a particularly tight weave.
In the State Banquet Hall, you'll mainly find portraits of English sovereigns, notably those of Elizabeth II and George IV. Today, conferences are held here. In the Throne Room, a frieze of twelve frescoes by Matteo Perez d'Aleccio, a former pupil of Michelangelo, evokes the Great Siege of 1565. It features a particularly precise plan of Valletta, with the bay and the four promontories. In this beautiful gold-upholstered room, awards are presented to deserving Maltese. You'll also see the throne that was once occupied by the Grand Master, and later by the English governor.
The next salon is the Ambassadors' Salon, or Salon Rouge, because of the color of the damask that covers its walls. This is a red salon, in ^19th-century style, in which the President receives his visitors. A frieze here recalls the main events in the Order's history in Rhodes, just before its arrival in Malta.the public is not generally allowed access to this room, except in groups, if accompanied by a guide, or sometimes individually during a visit to the museum. It is here that ambassadors present their credentials. A painting by Antoine de Favray shows Villiers de L'Isle-Adam (first Grand Master of Malta) receiving the keys to the city of Mdina. Wignacourt, an apothecary with a clock brought back from the island, as well as a portrait of Louis XVI next to a more modest one of Louis XIV.
The Pages' waiting room, or Yellow Room, so named for the color of its walls, is adorned with a frieze by Matteo Pérez d'Aleccio evoking the history of the Order of St. John in the Holy Land in the ^13th century. It is interspersed with allegorical symbols. This room also features a portrait of the famous Grand Master Parisot de La Valette, painted by Antoine de Favray. Between the entrance corridor and the Chambre Jaune, pendants still evoke the Order's history through its maritime expeditions.
In the Grand Master's salon, you'll notice the portraits of popes on display. The Grand Master's private chapel, where paintings depict the life of St. John the Baptist, patron saint of the Order, is now the office of the Governor's secretariat.
The gardens add a touch of freshness to the building.

The Palace Armory. Part of the palace restoration work starting in 2019 involved reinstating this historic armory in its original location, the former Parliament Chamber. With 5,000 items, ranging from the ^16th to the ^18th century, it houses an impressive collection: armor, swords, daggers... A showcase for the opulence of the Order of St. John - fierce defenders of the Catholic faith against the attacks of the Ottoman Empire - it is considered one of the finest in the world, and also houses the armor of Grand Masters Alof de Wignacourt and Jean de Valette, as well as Ottoman armor and weapons.

Located on the waterfront above Grand Harbour, these gardens are colored by dozens of hibiscus that bloom in summer. While they may not offer as impressive a view as the one enjoyed from the Upper Barraca Gardens, they do offer a beautiful panorama. All this in a more family atmosphere where you don't have to struggle to sit on the right bench. The neo-classical monument in the form of a Greek temple dedicated to the vice-admiral, Alexander Ball, an Englishman sent by Admiral Nelson to organise the Maltese insurrection against the French in 1798 and which gives its name to the main artery of the posh Paceville district of Saint Julian's. Raised after Ball's death in 1809 and restored during the 19th century, it is the work of the Maltese artists Giorgio Pullicino and Salvatore Dimenech. During the visit you will also note the sculpture by Antonio Sciortino commemorating the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, the fountain, the well-kept hedges, the many cats and the various commemorative plaques on the terrace such as the one referring to the fiftieth anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Not far away is the most modern building, the Siege Bell Memorial, inaugurated in 1992 by Elizabeth II to honour the courage of the Maltese people during the Second World War. From these gardens you can see the former Bighi Hospital and Fort Ricasoli.

This was the order's first conventual church, before the construction of St. John's co-cathedral. It stands on the site of a church built in 1090, during the reign of Roger ^I of Sicily.

With the arrival of the Order of St. John in 1530, it was enlarged, but burned down two years later. When the knights settled in Valletta in 1571, it became the church of the Inquisitors.

The present ^17th-century building was designed by Lorenzo Gafà.

Although the building suffered during the 1939-1945 war, it has been well restored. The façade features statues of St. Paul and St. Lorenzo, while the interior features paintings by Paladini. Above the altar is Mattia Preti'sMartyrdom of St. Lawrence, the largest painting he ever did. Saint Lawrence is celebrated on August 10.

In addition to the inn of the same name, the Prime Minister's office and the Cavalier Saint-Jacques (a sort of large tower), you'll see the statue of Borg Olivier, who led Malta to independence and was its Prime Minister. Opposite the Auberge de Castille stands the statue of Manwell Dimech and, next door, that of Paul Boffa, who was Prime Minister after the war and gave women the right to vote in 1945. And a new, more contemporary work, in scrap metal colors, has come to occupy the Place de Castille, this being a sculpture commemorating the November 2015 migration summit.

This museum was devoted to the life of the Maltese during the Second World War during which the bombing was particularly deadly on the island. It is housed in a British military bunkhouse in the th century in the city walls. Completely renovated, it has seen its collections in 9 galleries, each dedicated to a period of war, bringing together 10 000 objects, weapons, etc. You will discover an exhibition of military objects and daily daily life. You can also browse the parts and tunnels (a veritable 1 km labyrinth) dug by hand by men, women, but also children and old people. Hundreds of people réfugiaient when the bombs fell. You will learn how they were dug and installed (aeration system, etc.) and the life they were driving (objects, back-back sounds).

It is the first Protestant church built in Malta at the request of Queen Adelaide in 1838, and it is built on the site of the former hostel in Germany. Built under the direction of two English architects, the first of whom committed suicide as soon as structural problems arose, and completed in 1844, it can accommodate 1,500 people. Its portal with Ionic columns and its 60m spire, which contributes to the beauty of the urban profile of the capital, are particularly noteworthy.

Built on a mound at the tip of the Birgu peninsula, this fortress dominates the Grand Harbour. A strategic position identified as far back as Antiquity, particularly after the Phoenicians colonized the area in the first millennium BC, who, according to legend, built a complex dedicated to Astarte, followed later by a Roman complex dedicated to Juno. But it was during the Middle Ages that the Castrum Maris (seaside castle) was built, consisting of two enclosures, to protect the interests of the foreign crown in the Maltese islands. After 1530, the Order of St. John radically transformed Castrum Maris, naming it Fort St. Angelo and making it its headquarters, which also served as the residence of the Grand Master between 1530 and 1558. The former medieval castle was transformed into a gunpowder fortress by the construction of a series of artillery platforms, which enabled it to play a major role in the great siege of 1565. In 1690, Fort St Angelo took on its current appearance as a stronghold capable of defending the coast. Under British rule, it became a Royal Navy shore establishment from 1912 to 1979, and was renamed HMS St Angelo in 1933. The tour not only reveals its history through exhibits, but also allows you to visualize the different architectural styles of this monument. And, of course, you can take in the panoramic view of the Grand Port and surrounding fortified towns.

Located at the northern end of the city of Valletta, Fort Saint-Elme is one of the must-see sites when visiting Valletta. Today, it houses the National War Museum. Like similar fortifications of the same age in continental Europe, the fort was defended by a cavalryman on the seaward side and by bastions on the landward side. Around 1552, following an Ottoman attack in 1551, the Order of St. John decided to build the fort to protect the entrance to Valletta's two ports, and named it Fort Saint-Elme, in honor of the patron saint of sailors. They entrusted military engineer Pietro Pardo with the design and construction of the fort on the tip of Mount Sceberras, the peninsula where Valletta would later be built. When the dreaded Ottoman invasion took place in 1565, the stage was set for one of the most tragic moments in Malta's military history. The Ottomans realized that, in order to ensure safe anchorage for their fleet in one of the two ports on either side of the peninsula, they first had to neutralize Fort Saint-Elme. They launched a massive and desperate attack against this outpost, carrying out an uninterrupted siege lasting thirty days until the final surrender. By June 23, 1565, some 1,100 defenders of the fort had been slaughtered to the last man. The Ottomans lost a further 8,000 men. But while the Ottomans never turned the fort into a Turkish prison, the Americans did: the barracks were, in fact, used as the setting for the 1978 film Midnight Express. At the end of the Great Siege, Fort Saint-Elme was restored and, in 1687, a wall was built around it, linking it to the new town of Valletta. The fort again fell prey to destruction during the Second World War: the first casualties were reported during a bombardment on June 11, 1940, the day after Italy declared war. In July 1941, the fort was again in the firing line when its Maltese defenders bravely repelled an attack by 9 Italian assault boats. Fort Saint-Elme occasionally hosts the great In Guardia parade, a military parade retracing the inspection that the great commander carried out in his garrisons in the ^17th century, with over 80 actors in period costumes.

Its colorful, swaying boats, ducks and cats are the recurring themes of every tourist calendar in the country. You'll also notice the small statue of Saint Julian that gives the town its name. At the water's edge, still at the end of the bay, new modern buildings have recently appeared. You'll understand what they mean when their shadows on the ground form the word "Love". In Spinola Bay, the local brass band's bar makes sure you don't forget that the pleasure town was once a peaceful village. But it's not so easy to notice. Every facade, every building is occupied by restaurants. They all try to make their terraces look bigger or better than their neighbors', but they're all a good option if you're in the mood for a romantic dinner. This is a very lively area in the evenings, especially on weekends. The atmosphere is family-friendly and chic, and most of the restaurants are quite expensive. As you walk up rue Saint-George, you'll pass the Palazzo Spinola. Its name and that of the bay come from an Italian knight who had this beautiful residence built in 1688. Half a century later, his grand-nephew remodeled it to give it its current appearance, that of an interesting and graceful building that today houses a business center. It was this same Spinola who built the small Church of the Immaculate Conception, to provide a nearby place of worship.

A way of discovering Malta and its sights in an open-air bus (don't forget to protect yourself from the sun). Audio in French. Choice of two routes:

Valletta and the northern route: Manoel Island, Valletta, San Anton Gardens, Mdina, Rabat, Ta Qali - aviation museum and craftsmen's village, Mosta, Mgarr, Golden Bay, St. Paul's Bay, Bugibba, St George's Bay, St Julian's, Sliema seafront.

Valletta and the southern route: Sliema, Manoel Island, Valletta, Tarxien, Marsaxlokk, Ghar Dalam, Blu Grotto, Hagar Qim & Mnajdra temples, Limestone Heritage.

Opened in 1975, it is located in a former powder magazine of the fort of Saint-Elme, transformed in 1853 into a weapons room during its expansion by the British. If it allows you to visit the fort of Saint-Elme, it also exposes the history of the island in a chronological way. The visit begins with the discovery of prehistoric objects from the Bronze Age (2500 BC). Then you will be able to watch different video projections that approach a little-known aspect of this history: the different invasions of the island: the Western Roman Empire, the Byzantines, the Arabs, the Normans, the Angevins, the Catalans etc. The second block deals with the glorious Maltese military past: the Great Siege and the decisive role of Fort St. Elmo, with pictures of illustrations, armor, crossbows, cannonballs. Then comes the block dedicated to the story of the two wars of the twentieth century. Large photographic panels and many objects present the military operations from 1940 to 1943. In addition, you will notice the Faith biplane, one of the three planes that constituted Malta's only defense at the beginning of the war, General Eisenhower's Jeep, which he used during the invasion of Sicily in 1943, but also the George Cross, offered by King George VI to the Maltese people as a reward for their courage. The visit ends with the historical conclusion, the independence and then the Republic of Malta leading to the integration into the European Union in 2004.

Sold in Birgu by knights, they are bought by individuals who turn their structures into residences. You will notice that strangely a house was built in the middle of the facade, leaving the side sides visible.

Recent studies have made it possible to update architectural elements dating back to a bygone era to knights, such as a Byzantine tile.