WHAT Architect WHERE Notes Zone 1: Valletta The bridge was built in 2012 at the unique Valletta Grand Harbour (today UNESCO World Heritage Site) has been used as a port since Fort St Elmo, Roman Empire times thanks to its magnificent natural characteristics, *** Breakwater Bridge Arenas & Asociados Valletta VLT 1741 with a number of inlets which provide adequate shelter to naval vessels. It served as a naval station for the Knights of Saint John from their settlement in the island to their expulsion after the Napoleonic invasion by the end of the 18th century. By 1417, the local militia had already established a permanent watch post on the tip of the Sciberras Peninsula. In 1488, the Aragonese built a watchtower on Saint Elmo Point, and it was dedicated to Erasmus of Formia, better known as Saint Elmo. In 1565, the Ottomans invaded Malta once again with much more force than in 1551, in the Fort St Elmo, ***** Fort Saint Elmo Great Siege of Malta. Fort Saint Elmo was the scene of some of the Valletta VLT 1741 most intense fighting of this siege, and it withstood massive bombardment from Turkish cannon deployed on Mount Sciberras that overlooked the fort and from batteries on the north arm of Marsamextt Harbour, the present site of Fort Tigné. General admission €10. Mon-Sun (9am-5pm) Casa Rocca Piccola is a 16th-century palace in Malta, and home of the noble de Piro family. The Casa Rocca Piccola was built in 1580 an era in which the Knights of St John, having successfully fought off the 74 Republic St, ** Casa Rocca Piccola invading Turks in 1565, decided to build a prestigious city to rival Valletta, Malta other European capitals such as Paris and Venice. The prices for the guided tours are €9 for Adults and €5 for Students. Mon-Sat (10am-5pm) This outlet is situated in Strait Street just a block away from the main commercial thoroughfare of Valletta: space limitations along the more popular routes have caused properties along this street to become increasingly in demand, although it has been for many years neglected and left undeveloped. Of the many shady bars which once gave the street its reputation, only a few survive. Marks and Spencer Old Theatre Street, Marks & Spencer had acquired premises across the narrow street in order to expand * Architecture Project Il-Belt Valletta, Valletta its already existing retail areas. In fact it was envisaged that the Malta new building was to be linked to its existing outlet on the central city square by means of a bridge. The balcony being an important architectural element in the streetscape of Valletta, it seemed ideal to reinterpret and recreate this external wooden element to contain the designed connection between the existing shop and its extension. Mon-Sat (9am-7pm) The Palace Armoury is one of the world’s largest collections of arms Grandmasters Palace, and armour that is still housed in its original building. The Knights of ** Palace Armoury Palace Square St John were a unique brotherhood of resolute warrior monks. From Malta, their island stronghold, these combatant aristocrats from the noblest houses of Europe, carried out their relentless crusade against the Ottoman Turks in defence of the Catholic faith. General admission €7 (Joint admission fees for the Palace Armoury and State Rooms). Mon-Fri (9am-5pm) The Palace itself was one of the first buildings in the new city of Valletta founded by Grand Master Jean de Valette in 1566 a few months after the successful outcome of the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. The Palace was enlarged and developed by successive Grand Masters to serve as their official residence. Later, during the British Palace of the Grand 58 Republic St, period, it served as the Governor’s Palace and was the seat of Malta’s *** Master Valletta, Malta first constitutional parliament in 1921. The palace today is the seat of the Office of the President of Malta. The Palace subsequently became the seat of Malta’s Legislative Assembly set up in 1947, Malta’s first parliament following Independence in 1964 and subsequent legislatures till the present day. General admission €7 (Joint admission fees for the Palace Armoury and State Rooms). Mon-Fri (9am-5pm) The library building was designed by the Polish-Italian architect Stefano Ittar, and it is an early example of neoclassical architecture in Malta. It has a symmetrical façade with Doric and Ionic columns. The 36 Old Treasury National Library of first floor is supported on a loggia, with the main doorway in the **** Stefano Ittar Street Malta centre. A balustraded balcony is located above the doorway, and it is supported by Doric and Ionic columns. The building is also well known for its neo-classic monumental staircase that spreads from the main entrance to the upper floors. Mon-Fri (8.15am-5pm), Sat (8.15am-1pm) St John’s Co-Cathedral is a gem of Baroque art and architecture. It was built as the conventual church for the Knights of St John. The Grand Masters and several knights donated gifts of high artistic value Saint John's Co- Triq San Gwann, Il- ***** Girolamo Cassar and made enormous contributions to enrich it with only the best works Cathedral Belt Valletta of art. This church is till this very day an important shrine and a sacred place of worship. General admission €10, €7,5 students. Mon-Fri (9.30am-4.30am), Sat (9.30am-12.30pm) The National Museum of Archaeology is housed in the Auberge de Provence, in Republic Street, Valletta. The building, an example of fine Baroque architecture, was built in 1571 and followed a plan by local architect Ġilormu Cassar. The Auberge de Provence was house to the Knights of the Order of St John originating from Provence, France National Museum Of Republic St, Valletta, **** and displays beautiful architectural features. Of particular note is the Archaeology Malta Grand Salon, with its richly painted walls and wooden beamed ceiling. The Museum provides the visitor with a good introduction to the prehistory and early history of the Maltese Island and acts as a catalyst to the other archaeological sites in Malta. General admission €5 and concessions €3,5. Mon-Sun (9am-5pm) On the plot of the palace a former foundry of the Order of St John existed to manufacture the knight's armaments. Giuseppe Buttigieg and his wife Giovanna Camilleri acquired the land from the government, and they built Palazzo Ferreria in the late 19th century. Visibly on ***** Palazzo Ferreria Giuseppe Bonavia Valletta, Malta the façade are the coat of arms of Buttiegieg and Camilleri. Bonavia is accredited to be the first architect to introduce the timber balconies on façades, beginning with the Palazzo Ferreria. This took place in the 19th-century and has influenced several architects and Maltese populace in general, something that is still visible and prevalent today. The ‘City Gate’ project takes in the complete reorganisation of the principal entrance to the Maltese capital of Valletta. The project New Parliament comprises four parts: the Valletta City Gate and its site immediately ***** Renzo Piano Republic St Building outside the city walls, the design for an open-air theatre ‘machine’ within the ruins of the former Royal opera house, the construction of a new Parliament building and the landscaping of the ditch. Built in 1866 as an Opera House and performing arts venue. In 1873 its interior was extensively damaged by fire but was eventually Edward Middleton restored by 1877. The design of the building was entrusted to Edward ***** Royal Opera House Republic Street Barry Middleton Barry, the architect of Covent Garden Theatre. On the evening of Tuesday, April 7, 1942, the theatre was devastated by Luftwaffe bombers. The 19-th century British Garrison Chapel, one of many abandoned buildings in Valletta, was converted into the Malta Stock Exchange by Garrison Chapel, Architecture Project in 2001. To extend the use and adaptability of Malta Stock Castille Place, Il-Belt the building, the original shell was conserved, while inside, a new steel ** Exchange Valletta VLT 1063, structure reorganized the space around an atrium. The new structure Malta is independent of the historical exterior shell, allowing it to be removed if necessary. A cleverly designed cooling system, using sprays of fine water particles, was placed within the roof's original wooden- beam structure, increasing air-quality and the use of the central open space. Built in the 1560s as a public garden. They are twinned with the Lower 292 Triq Sant' Orsla, Barrakka Gardens in the same city, and offers a panoramic view of Upper Barrakka ***** Il-Belt Valletta, the Grand Harbour. Try to time your visit with the Saluting Battery, Gardens Malta a theatrical ceremonial cannon firing. It occurs at noon and 4pm daily. Mon-Sun (7am-10pm) This 20-storey-high lift transports residents and visitors in the Maltese capital Valletta from the recently restored harbour to the top of the city's fortified walls. A lift was originally built on the site Xatt Lascaris, in 1905 to connect the port with the city, but became redundant and Valletta, Island of **** Barrakka Lift Architecture Project was dismantled in the 1980s. It is quite unlike any other structure on Malta VLT 1920, the island, bringing utilitarian sci-fi to the stoic bastions that encircle Malta the city. It’s hyper-futuristic demeanour is paired so strangely, yet so perfectly, with the tranquility of the Upper Barrack Gardens. Admission €1. Mon-Sun (7am-9pm) Zone 2: Birgu and Kalkara Fashioned around a strategically located and conveniently sized hillock at the tip of the Birgu Peninsula, the stronghold dominates the Grand Harbour.