Valletta — The Spy Network

Your journey begins at the Upper Barrakka Gardens, built in 1775 by the Knights of Malta on an ancient bastion. From here, the panoramic view of the Grand Harbour is breathtaking. It is here that, since 1800, the British tradition of the daily cannon salute at noon has taken place, a ritual Sir Alexander Ball, British governor, undoubtedly observed from the monument erected in his honor in 1810. These gardens, approximately 1 hectare in size, feature exotic trees imported in the 18th century, providing a serene setting to begin your investigation in the Maltese capital.

Continue towards the Auberge de Castille, a building constructed in 1574 by the Knights of the Order of St. John for the Langue of Castile. With its baroque facade restored in 1942-1943 after damage from World War II, and its 24 windows spread over 4 floors, this auberge, whose architecture is attributed to Girolamo Cassar, is a symbol of power. It has been the seat of the Maltese government since 1956, having previously been the Prime Minister's residence. Nearby, St. John's Co-Cathedral, built between 1572 and 1577 by order of Grand Master Jean Parisot de La Valette, awaits you. Admire Caravaggio's 'The Beheading of St. John the Baptist,' commissioned in 1607, and the 400 marble tomb slabs carved between 1577 and 1680 that make up the floor, reflecting its capacity to host 400 people.

Your quest then leads you to the National Library of Malta, founded in 1555 by Grand Master Claude de La Sengle as a Public Library. The neoclassical building, completed in 1796 by architect Stefano Ittar, houses a collection of 75,000 rare volumes, including the archives of the Knights of Malta from the 16th to 18th centuries. Its central patio, 30m x 20m, with its fountain, is a haven of peace. The Grandmaster's Palace, built around 1571-1574 by Girolamo Cassar, was the residence of the Grand Masters. This palace, the second largest in Malta after Mdina, has two inner courtyards, including the Admirals' Courtyard measuring 32m x 32m, and houses two paintings by Mattia Preti painted in 1670 in the Parliament Hall, which has been located there since 2015.

The route takes you to the Siege Bell War Memorial, inaugurated in 1992 to commemorate the Great Siege of 1940-1942. The 11-ton bell, forged in 1991 with a diameter of 2.7 meters, rings every hour, recalling the 7,000 Maltese victims of World War II whose names are engraved. Located on Blata bastion, it offers a view of Fort St Elmo, built in 1552 by the Knights to defend the entrance to the Grand Harbour. This fort was the site of the battle of the Great Siege of Malta in May 1565, where 150 defenders perished. Today, it houses the National War Museum since 1979, covering 5,000 m² within its 6-pointed star-shaped enclosure, with a perimeter of 1,200 meters.

To conclude your espionage mission in Valletta, the Hastings Gardens offer a moment of respite. Created in 1825 on the Castille bastions and named after Frank Hastings, these 0.8-hectare gardens are adorned with a 1st-century BC Egyptian obelisk, 9 meters high, gifted by Egypt in 1818. An open-air theatre was inaugurated here in 1954, accommodating 500 people. This site, though later, marks the continuity of the strategic occupation of Valletta's bastions. Your circuit will have introduced you to the history of Malta and the influence of the Order of St. John, leaving you with a deep understanding of the heritage of this UNESCO city, from the secrets of its ramparts to the splendor of its baroque architecture.