This Grand Harbour Tour of valletta and vittoriosa takes you on a fantastic excursion around Malta’s Grand Harbour – a natural port with many creeks and historical fortifications. You will have an opportunity to capture incredible photographs and enjoy fantastic views of Valletta and the Three Cities as seen from sea level while we embark the traditional Maltese ‘Dghajsa’ boat for a short harbour cruise.
We will stop in Vittoriosa city also known as Birgu and take a glimpse into Malta’s maritime fortunes. Birgu, can rightly claim to be the cradle of Maltese history. Prior to the establishment of Valletta as a capital city of Malta, military powers that wanted to rule the Maltese islands would need to obtain control of Vittoriosa due to its significant position in the Grand Harbour.In 1530 the Knights of St. John first settled in this area and built the old historical centre which is known as the ‘Collachio’. They built their Palazzos and Auberges in this part of the city which is a maze of narrow streets and quaint alleys. Attractions include the old Naval Bakery, now housing the Maritime Museum; the Malta at War Museum; the Church of St Lawrence, which was the main place of worship for the Knights of St John; and Fort St Angelo, the headquarters of the Knights during the Great Siege of 1565, a former hospital run by the Knight of St John, now a Benedictine convent; and the Inquisitor’s Palace, where a series of Grand Inquisitors — civil judges in thrall to the pope — were based from 1574 until 1798.
We will continue to Valletta, the capital city of Malta. Valletta, Malta’s capital and Europe’s Cultural Capital City for the year 2018, is nothing short of an open-air museum. It is a living experience of Baroque architecture, a monument donated by the Knights of St John nearly five centuries ago. Throughout the years, Valletta has welcomed emperors, heads of state, artists and poets and is now the permanent seat of the Maltese government.
Dotted with quaint cafés and wine bars, this UNESCO city is today one of Malta’s main tourist attractions, hosting among others, Palaces, Auberges, Churches, cathedrals, imposing bastions and a treasure of priceless paintings. It also provides a stunning snapshot of Malta’s Grand Harbour, often described as the most beautiful in the Mediterranean.
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