Valletta: Military city to Baroque and Renzo Piano

Valletta, the island's capital, was built following the Great Siege victory in 1565 and a grateful Christendom sent support to build its awe-inspiring bastions, auberges where the Order conducted business and lavishly decorated churches. Not wishing to be considered a forgotten backwater, most of the buildings were embellished with magnificent baroque facades sending out a message of wealth and power. The islands were taken by Napoleon and Valletta was occupied by the French until Malta became one of the seats of the British Empire. They ruled Malta for close to 200 years up to our independence in 1964. This rich history of the Valletta peninsula is enhanced by the harbours that surround it and played their important role in the story of this city and island. The tour would include a breath-taking view of the Grand Harbour, the numerous 16th to 18th century buildings that are now part of our island's living history and the splendid St John's Co-Cathedral.