Palma de Mallorca Valletta
Malta's
capital has the largest and best naturally-protected
harbour in the Mediterranean. After the Knights of
St. John had narrowly managed to beat off the Turks
during the Great Siege of 1565, Grand Master Jean
de la Vallette ordered massive fortifications and
the creation of a fully planned city on virgin ground.
The streets were laid out as a grid to allow cooling
sea breezes to low through them unimpeded. Today it
remains a remarkably unspoilt historic city with splendid
Renaissance buildings, including the Knights auberges
(inns) and palatial cathedral, and a large proportion
of Baroque buildings. The main shopping street is
Republic Street, flanked by houses with characteristic
Maltese balconies. |
