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Explore Malta’s stunning north coast with scenic hikes, historic sites, and breathtaking Mediterranean views.

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Valletta and the Three Cities Malta’s Living Fortresses of War and History Malta is a small island with a colossal past. Its capital, Valletta, and the neighboring Three Cities, Vittoriosa (Birgu), Senglea (Isla), and Cospicua (Bormla)—tell a story that spans centuries, empires, and wars. Shaped by conflict and carved from golden limestone, these cities are living museums of military might, religious devotion, and resilience, with the indelible mark of the Order of St. John etched into their very foundations. The Order of St. John: Crusaders Turned Nation Builders The story of Valletta and the Three Cities is incomplete without understanding the Order of St. John, also known as the Knights Hospitaller. Originally a religious and military order founded during the Crusades to care for pilgrims in the Holy Land, the Knights were granted Malta by Emperor Charles V in 1530 after losing Rhodes to the Ottomans. Their presence transformed the island. Birgu became their first base, and from there, they constructed formidable fortifications, hospitals, and palaces. But their most ambitious project would rise later—Valletta, a new fortified city built after the pivotal Great Siege of 1565, when the Knights and Maltese people successfully repelled the invading Ottoman forces. Valletta: Fortress, Sanctuary, Capital Following the siege, the Knights realized that Malta needed a stronger defensive capital. Jean Parisot de Valette, the Grand Master of the Order, spearheaded the founding of Valletta in 1566. Designed by Italian engineer Francesco Laparelli, the city was revolutionary: one of the first planned cities in Europe, laid out in a rigid grid pattern with bastions, walls, and underground cisterns. Valletta was both a fortress and a statement—a city born from war, built to deter it. Walking through Valletta today, it’s easy to forget its violent beginnings. The baroque architecture, elegant palazzos, and sunlit squares exude grace. Yet, beneath this beauty lies a network of WWII bomb shelters, tunnels carved into the rock that once housed thousands during relentless air raids. Malta was among the most heavily bombed places during the Second World War, and these shelters became essential lifelines for survival. Valletta Location The Cradle of Malta’s Maritime History Before Valletta, the Knights called Birgu (Vittoriosa) home. It’s the oldest of the Three Cities and played a starring role in the Great Siege. Its Fort St. Angelo was the stronghold from which the Knights coordinated their resistance. Today, Birgu’s narrow streets and historic waterfront feel like a step back in time, with centuries-old churches, auberges, and armories still standing. Across the creek lies Senglea, named after Grand Master Claude de la Sengle. Senglea earned the title “Città Invicta” for its heroic resistance during the siege. Its strategic position made it crucial for harbor defense, and its gardens and bastions still offer some of the best panoramic views of the Grand Harbour. The youngest of the trio, Cospicua, was heavily fortified in the 17th century and served as a hub for dockyard workers. During British rule, the Malta Dockyard in Cospicua became vital for naval repairs, especially CONTINUE READING