Jean de la Valette, French Grand Master of the Order of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, built Valletta, the capital of the Malta, after the epic siege of 1565. It dominates, in one wide sweep, the Island’s historic Grand Harbour - one of the finest natural ports in Europe. Within its limited boundaries is reflected some of Malta’s rich heritage of archaeology, history, architecture, art and culture.

An impressive and solemn ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone was held on 28 March 1566. The newly founded city of Valetta became the seat of power in 1571. Valletta boasts a unique mixture of splendid fortifications and elegant architecture - an architecture dominated by the Baroque and owing its harmonious appearance to its grid pattern studded with cathedrals, churches, palaces and secular buildings. Architects and engineers, painters and sculptors, master masons and artisans from all over Europe and the Maltese Islands constructed and embellished the City.

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