VALLETTA

The Maltese Islands are an archipelago at the centre of the Mediterranean with a wealth of heritage. They were once home to ancient civilisations and Europe’s nobles. Malta’s location at the heart of the Mediterranean is the key to its rich history.

At the crossroads of maritime routes, the Islands have been a home, stronghold, trading post and refuge over 7000 years of history. From temple builders, seafaring Phoenicians and the traveller Apostle Paul, to the Knights of St John, Napoleon and British royalty - all have set foot here leaving their imprint for you to discover.

The Islands have several World Heritage sites: the enigmatic, prehistoric temples; Malta’s baroque capital Valletta, founded by the Knights; and the walled, medieval capital, Mdina, where descendants of Norman families still live today. The palaces and cathedrals of Valletta and Mdina house some of Europe’s finest treasures.

The sister island Gozo is a gem of rural life largely untouched by time, with a rugged, terraced landscape fashioned by man over a millennium ago.

The Islands present a kaleidoscope of past and present: a fascinating legacy of European culture and rural Mediterranean traditions.

>> The Maltese Islands: Facts and Statistics