Valletta can be described as a living experience of Baroque
architecture, dotted with quaint cafes, and over 25 churches, testament to the centuries-old
grained Catholic faith of the Maltese nation. With its fortifications and history-filled
streets, is probably the best known place in Malta and gems such as St. John’s Co-Cathedral justify its
reputation.
Malta’s majestic Grand
Harbour is one of the most spectacular ports in the world separating the
capital city of Valletta from the
historic cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua. The harbour has been a
hive of activity for over two thousand years. With its imposing fortifications
and vast panorama, Grand Harbour is Malta’s principal maritime gateway and a
popular port-of-call for ships that are cruising
the Mediterranean.
The Three Cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa and Senglea
are three of the oldest towns on the island
of Malta. The town of Vittoriosa played an important role in the 1565 Great Siege of Malta.
Vittoriosa was the town in which the Knights of Malta settled in on their
arrival from Rhodes in 1530. Vittoriosa together with Cospicua and Senglea form
three important walled cities along one side of the Grand Harbour. The town of
Kalkara is located close to the Three cities. The town gets its name from the
latin word calce (lime) since a lime kiln was located here during the Roman
times. In Kalkara one finds the quaint hamlet of Santu Rokku and Fort Ricasoli
which over the years has been used for the construction of film sets for
important blockbusters like Gladiator and Troy and the recent Agora.
For information on Things to do in Malta during your
holiday speak to the Transport Desk at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta and they will guide you with some of our
popular Malta Excursions.
