1.
Fort St. Angelo
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Fort Saint Angelo is a large bastioned fort in Birgu, Malta, located at the centre of the Grand Harbour. It was originally built in the period as a castle called the Castrum Maris or the Castello al Mare. The fort was garrisoned by the British from 1800 to 1979, the fort suffered considerable damage during World War II, but it was later restored. In 1998, the part of the fort was handed back to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Fort St. Angelo has been on Maltas tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1998, the date of its original construction is unknown. However, there are claims of prehistoric or classical buildings near the site, due to some large ashlar blocks, there is also the mentioning in Roman texts of a temple dedicated to Juno/Astarte, probably in the vicinity of the fort. Its probable start as a fortification is the medieval period. In fact, in 1220 Hohenstaufen Emperor Frederick II started to appoint his own Castellani for Malta who needed a place to live, the remains of a tower that may date back to the 12th century can be traced among the more recent works. The first mention of Castrum Maris is to be found in documents from the 1240s when Paulinus of Malta was the lord of the island and later when Giliberto Abate made a census of the islands. Another reference to the castle is that from the short Angevin rule where documents list it again as Castrum Maris and it seems also that by 1274, the castle already had two chapels which are still there today. From the same year also a detailed inventory of weapons. From 1283 the Maltese islands were under Aragonese rule and the fortification was used by Castellani who were there to safeguard the interests of the Aragonese crown. In fact the Castellans did not have any jurisdiction outside the ditch of the fort, the Knights made this their primary fortification and substantially reinforced and remodelled it, including the cutting of the dry ditch to make it a moat and the DHomedes Bastion built by 1536. These works transformed the fort into a gunpowder fortification, Fort St Angelo withstood the Turks during the Great Siege of Malta, during which it succeeded in tearing apart a sea attack by the Turks on Senglea on 15 August 1565. In the aftermath of siege, the Knights built the fortified city of Valletta on Mount Sciberras on the other side of the Grand Harbour. In 1644, Giovanni de’ Medici proposed a new fort be constructed on Orsi Point, and he drew up plans for the proposed fort, but they were never implemented. It was not until the 1690s that the fort underwent major repairs. As a result, one can see his coat of arms above the main gate of the fort
2.
Malta
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Malta, officially known as the Republic of Malta, is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 80 km south of Italy,284 km east of Tunisia, the country covers just over 316 km2, with a population of just under 450,000, making it one of the worlds smallest and most densely populated countries. The capital of Malta is Valletta, which at 0.8 km2, is the smallest national capital in the European Union, Malta has one national language, which is Maltese, and English as an official language. John, French and British, have ruled the islands, King George VI of the United Kingdom awarded the George Cross to Malta in 1942 for the countrys bravery in the Second World War. The George Cross continues to appear on Maltas national flag, the country became a republic in 1974, and although no longer a Commonwealth realm, remains a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations. Malta was admitted to the United Nations in 1964 and to the European Union in 2004, in 2008, Catholicism is the official religion in Malta. The origin of the term Malta is uncertain, and the modern-day variation derives from the Maltese language, the most common etymology is that the word Malta derives from the Greek word μέλι, meli, honey. The ancient Greeks called the island Μελίτη meaning honey-sweet, possibly due to Maltas unique production of honey, an endemic species of bee lives on the island. The Romans went on to call the island Melita, which can be considered either as a latinisation of the Greek Μελίτη or the adaptation of the Doric Greek pronunciation of the same word Μελίτα. Another conjecture suggests that the word Malta comes from the Phoenician word Maleth a haven or port in reference to Maltas many bays, few other etymological mentions appear in classical literature, with the term Malta appearing in its present form in the Antonine Itinerary. The extinction of the hippos and dwarf elephants has been linked to the earliest arrival of humans on Malta. Prehistoric farming settlements dating to the Early Neolithic period were discovered in areas and also in caves. The Sicani were the tribe known to have inhabited the island at this time and are generally regarded as being closely related to the Iberians. Pottery from the Għar Dalam phase is similar to found in Agrigento. A culture of megalithis temple builders then either supplanted or arose from this early period, the temples have distinctive architecture, typically a complex trefoil design, and were used from 4000 to 2500 BCE. Animal bones and a knife found behind an altar stone suggest that temple rituals included animal sacrifice. Tentative information suggests that the sacrifices were made to the goddess of fertility, the culture apparently disappeared from the Maltese Islands around 2500 BC. Archaeologists speculate that the builders fell victim to famine or disease
3.
Cospicua
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Cospicua, also known by its titles Città Cospicua or Civitas Cottonera, is a double-fortified harbour city in the South Eastern Region of Malta. Along with Birgu and Senglea, it is one of the Three Cities, with a population of 5,395 as of March 2014, it is the most dense city of the Three Cities. The Maltese name Bormla or Burmula derives from Bir Mula that means well of the Lord, Cospicua has been inhabited since Neolithic times. Its maritime facilities started during ancient times around the Phoenician era c.600 BC, prior to the 18th century it was known as Bormla, a name which is still in use. Its fortification walls, constructed to protect the town and its neighbours Birgu, construction began in 1638 but was not completed for another 70 years. In 1722, Grand Master MarcAntonio Zondadari declared Bormla a city, in 1776, the Order of St. John started to construct a dockyard, which was to play a vital role in the development of this city. During British rule in Malta, the Royal Navy made extensive use of the dockyard, particularly during the Crimean War, the First World War and during the years preceding the Second World War. Cospicua, along with the rest of the area around the Grand Harbour, was bombed during this last war as Malta was under siege by the Axis powers. Plans are now underway for the transformation of an area of the dockyard into a commercial, Cospicua is also known as Belt l-Immakulata or the City of the Immaculate, referring to the Immaculate Conception or the Virgin Mary, who is the patron of the city. Every year a feast is being held on 8 December, Cospicua celebrates its feast which is held annually on 8 December in honour of the Immaculate Conception. Cospicua is known for its celebration of Good Friday, which began in the 18th century and is a popular tourist attraction, a statue of the Resurrection of Jesus is traditionally carried across the citys streets to symbolize Jesus triumph over death. Smaller statues are exhibited in the city. The people of Cospicua started the famous and artistic first Mejda tal-Appostli, which literally means and it consists of a display showing the food that was eaten during the Last Supper of Jesus and the 12 Apostles. It also consists of different stories of the Bible, made with coloured rice and salt, cospicuas football team is the St. Georges F. C. thought to be the oldest on the island. Documentation shows that by 1885 there were three football teams at Cospicua, which merged to form the current club in 1890. Cospicua is also famous for its Regatta team, which was one of the first and this team has won 17 shields overall, second only to Senglea. The 1st Cospicua Scout Group as formed in 1917, the St. Georges Band Club was officially founded in 1862. Its first name was La Banda dei Cospicuani but when Giorgio Crispo Barbaro, Marquis of St. George became first president of the Band, the citys fortifications, namely the Santa Margherita Lines and the Cottonera Lines, are largely intact although they are in need of restoration
4.
Kalkara
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Kalkara is a village in the South Eastern Region of Malta, with a population of 3,014 as of March 2014. The name is derived from the Latin word for lime, Kalkara forms part of the inner harbour area and occupies the area around Kalkara Creek. The town has its own Local Council and is bordered by the cities of Birgu and Żabbar, the village of Kalkara developed as a small fishing community around the sheltered inlet of Kalkara Creek. Some historians believe that the land today is known as Kalkara, was one of the first to be inhabited by the initial dwellers of Malta that came from nearby island of Sicily. Nevertheless, such theories cannot be proven and Kalkaras early history will remain largely unknown, the Christian era in Kalkara presumably began with the construction of the Palaeochristian hypogea in the zone known as Xagħra ta Santa Duminka situated in its parish boundary. In them, the first Christian cults began to be performed, the name given to this village, Kalkara, comes from the Latin word calce literally meaning lime, the reason for this being that in this locality lime-kilns were usually found. Thus, its motto is A Calce Nomen, the emblem is a green scutcheon, divided into two parts, half being blue representing the sea, and the other being gold with a burning flame. The population slowly increased and in the 19th and 20th century Kalkara developed into a small yet charming seaside resort while its waterfront, some of these houses, especially along the waterfront, are more elaborate than others and include three or four floors and also intricate stone carvings. This increase in population led to the elevation of Kalkara to an independent parish from Vittoriosa in 1897, although not strategically important in itself, Kalkara bore the brunt of World War II due to its close proximity to Cottonera and its Drydocks. The first parish church, which was located close to the present parish church, was destroyed during an air attack on 10 April 1942. Following the gaining of Independence by Malta in 1964, the country witnessed a period of high development and construction. Nevertheless, Kalkara still retains a charming and quiet atmosphere and constantly features in many paintings, Kalkara is located on the eastern coast of Malta and forms part of the inner harbour area of the Grand Harbour. It occupies the area around Kalkara Creek and extends to both sides around the creek. Rinella Bay, the sandy beach in the Grand Harbour, is found at the mouth of the Rinella valley. Kalkara is one of the few localities within the Grand Harbour area that still has large open spaces that naturally divide it from other towns. The town is bordered by the cities of Birgu and Żabbar, Band Clubs Circolo San Giuseppe Filarmonika Sagra Familja A. D1897 St. Joseph Band Club A. D. The given reason was that through being demolished, it would not provide any shelter for the invading Turks, in 1580, Claudio Abela and Davidde Burlò received permission from the Grand Master La Cassiere to build a chapel in the same site where the mentioned chapel stood. In this chapel, bailiff Fra Giovanni Bichi, nephew of Pope Alexander VII, was buried in 1676 after having died due to the plague, meanwhile, in 1680 this chapel was again rebuilt, this time to the design of the Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafà
5.
Labour Party (Malta)
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The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in Malta. Along with the Nationalist Party, the Labour Party is one of two major political parties in Malta. It is the party in the Maltese House of Representatives following its victory over the Nationalist Party in the March 2013 general election. The Labour Party is a member of the Party of European Socialists, the General Conference is largely made up of delegates from the Partys other constituent structures and is the Partys highest organ. The National Executive brings together the Party Administration as well as elected representatives of other constituent structures, the Party Congress is made up of all members of the Party and elects the Leader and the two Deputy Leaders and determines the Partys broad policy outlines. The Party Administration is made of the Party Leader, Deputy Leaders, the Parliamentary Group and the Councillors Section bring together the Partys elected representatives in parliament and local councils. The Party is organised geographically in the committees and district. Finally, the Branches of the Party include the womens, youth, senior, although not formally part of the Partys structures, the PL owns a number of media and communication outlets. The Labour Party was founded as the Chamber of Labour in 1921 by one of the union affiliated with the Imperial Government Workers Union. Band clubs and other organisations were invited to send delegates to the Partys founding meeting on 15 March 1921, significantly, led by Colonel William Savona, the Party contested the general elections held in 1921 and 1924 under the new Constitution that gave the country a measure of self-government. The Labour-Constitutional alliance won the 1927 general elections, but Labour lost ground, gaining 13. 9% of votes, Labour leader Savona was not elected, and the leadership of the Labour parliamentary group was temporarily entrusted to Colonel Michael Dundon. The Presidency of the Party and leadership of the group was taken up by Paul Boffa later that year. Labour gained nine seats out of ten in the elections held during November,1945, in which, contrarily to previous elections, the Partys electoral programme, for the first time in Labours history, did not make any reference to religion. However, Labour deputies resigned from their posts in July 1946 due to mass redundancies at the Dockyards, in the meantime, the MacMichael Constitution had been introduced, granting self-government to the Maltese. Labours participation in the subsequent October,1947 elections was again supported by the General Workers Union. The Party won 59. 9% of the vote and twenty-four seats out of the possible forty within the Legislative Assembly, Paul Boffa became Prime Minister whilst Dom Mintoff became Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reconstruction. The Labour Government introduced Income Tax and Social Services for the first time in Malta, the Labour Party was re-founded in 1949 as a successor to the Labour Party founded in 1921. Boffa formed the Malta Workers Party while Mintoff re-organized the Labour Party as the Malta Labour Party, the Malta Labour Party contested its first elections for the Malta Legislative Assembly the following year
6.
Religion in Malta
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The predominant religion in Malta is Roman Catholicism. The Constitution of Malta establishes Catholicism as the religion and it is also reflected in various elements of Maltese culture. Maltas patron saints are St Paul, St Publius and St Agatha, the Assumption of Mary known as Santa Marija is the Special patron of the Maltese Islands. This means that if the provisions of article 2 and are in conflict with the rights guaranteed under article 40, with regards to religious instruction in public schools for example, students may opt to decline participation in Catholic religious lessons. Malta was the last European country to introduce divorce in October 2011 after voting in a referendum on the earlier in the year. Furthermore, Malta has also repealed vilification of religion as a crime in July 2016, abortion is illegal in all circumstances. Over the years some loopholes permitted individuals to circumvent the ban for limited time periods, according to a Eurobarometer Poll held in 2005, 95% of respondents from Malta said that they believe there is a God. In a report published in 2006, it was reported that 52. 6% of Maltese attended Sunday mass in 2005, hence, Sunday mass attendance has dropped annually by 1% since 1982. According to Archbishop Charles Scicluna, Sunday mass attendance dropped further to roughly 40% by 2015, zghazagh Azzjoni Kattolika, Catholic children and youth organization, member of Fimcap Pope John Paul II made three pastoral visits to Malta, twice in 1990 and once in 2001. In his last visit he beatified three Maltese, George Preca, Nazju Falzon and Adeodata Pisani, in April 2010, Pope Benedict XVI also visited Malta in the celebration of the anniversary of 1950 years of the shipwreck of Paul in Malta. Most congregants at the local Protestant churches are not Maltese, many British retirees live in the country, in 2008, the seven congregations of Jehovahs Witnesses reported 569 active adherents, with an annual Memorial attendance of 1120. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Bible Baptist Church, the Evangelical Alliance of Malta has seven churches and two organizations that are affiliated, with about 400 members between them. There is one Greek Catholic church, which also hosts Russian Orthodox services a few times a year, there are nearly 100 Hindu families in Malta that practise their own Hindu religion. There is one Muslim mosque and a Muslim faith school, of the estimated 3,000 Muslims in Malta, approximately 2,250 are foreigners, approximately 600 are naturalized citizens, and approximately 150 are native-born Maltese. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is also present, zen Buddhism and the Baháí Faith also have about 40 members
7.
Saint Lawrence
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The martyrs St Orencio and St Paciencia are traditionally held to have been his parents. He encountered the future Pope St Sixtus II, who was of Greek origin and one of the most famous and highly esteemed teachers, eventually, both left Spain for Rome. When Sixtus became the Pope in 257, he ordained St Lawrence as a deacon and he is therefore called archdeacon of Rome, a position of great trust that included the care of the treasury and riches of the Church and the distribution of alms to the indigent. At the beginning of August 258, the Emperor Valerian issued an edict that all bishops, priests, Pope St Sixtus II was captured on 6 August 258, at the cemetery of St Callixtus while celebrating the liturgy and executed forthwith. After the death of Sixtus, the prefect of Rome demanded that St Lawrence turn over the riches of the Church, St Ambrose is the earliest source for the narrative that St Lawrence asked for three days to gather the wealth. He worked swiftly to distribute as much Church property to the indigent as possible, one account records him declaring to the prefect, The Church is truly rich, far richer than your emperor. This act of defiance led directly to his martyrdom and can be compared to the parallel Roman tale of the jewels of Cornelia, on 10 August, St Lawrence, the last of the seven deacons, and therefore, the ranking Church official, suffered a martyrs death. The Almanac of Philocalus for AD354 states that he was buried in the Catacomb of Cyriaca on the Via Tiburtina by Hippolytus and Justin the Confessor, one of the early sources for his martyrdom was the description of Aurelius Prudentius Clemens in his Peristephanon, Hymn 2. A famous legend has persisted from ancient times, as deacon in Rome, St Lawrence was responsible for the material goods of the Church and the distribution of alms to the poor. St Ambrose of Milan relates that when the treasures of the Church were demanded of St Lawrence by the Prefect of Rome, he brought forward the poor, to whom he had distributed the treasure as alms. Behold in these poor persons the treasures which I promised to show you, to which I will add pearls and precious stones, those widows and consecrated virgins, which are the Churchs crown. The Prefect was so angry that he had a great gridiron prepared with hot coals beneath it, after the martyr had suffered pain for a long time, the legend concludes, he cheerfully declared, Im well done. From this derives his patronage of cooks, chefs, and comedians, Emperor Constantine I is traditionally held to have erected a small oratory in honour of St Lawrence, which was a station on the itineraries of the graves of the Roman martyrs by the seventh century. Pope Damasus I rebuilt or repaired the church, now the Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, the gridiron of the martyrdom was placed by Pope Paschal II in the Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina. Lawrence in Palatio ad Sancta Sanctorum, Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs, the life and miracles of St Lawrence were collected in The Acts of St Lawrence but those writings have been lost. The earliest existing documentation of miracles associated with him is in the writings of St Gregory of Tours, sanctulus was rebuilding a church of St Lawrence, which had been attacked and burnt, and hired many workmen to accomplish the job. At one point during the construction, he himself with nothing to feed them. He prayed to St Lawrence for help, and looking in his basket he found a fresh and it seemed to him too small to feed the workmen, but in faith he began to serve it to the men
8.
Saint Dominic
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Saint Dominic, also known as Dominic of Osma and Dominic of Caleruega, often called Dominic de Guzmán and Domingo Félix de Guzmán, was a Castilian priest and founder of the Dominican Order. Dominic is the saint of astronomers. Dominic was born in Caleruega, halfway between Osma and Aranda de Duero in Old Castile, Spain and he was named after Saint Dominic of Silos, who is said to be the patron saint of hopeful mothers. The Benedictine abbey of Santo Domingo de Silos lies a few north of Caleruega. In the earliest narrative source, by Jordan of Saxony, Dominics parents are named Felix Guzman and Juanna of Aza. This story drew resonance from the fact that his order became known, after his name, as the Dominican order, Dominicanus in Latin which a play on words interpreted as Domini canis, Dog of the Lord. Jordan adds that Dominic was brought up by his parents and an uncle who was an archbishop. The failure to name his parents is not unusual, since Jordan wrote a history of the Orders early years, a later source, still of the 13th century, also gives their names as Juana and Felix. Nearly a century after Dominics birth, a local author asserted that Dominics father was vir venerabilis et dives in populo suo. The travel narrative of Pero Tafur, written circa 1439, states that Dominics father belonged to the family de Guzmán, Dominics mother, Jane of Aza, was beatified by Pope Leo XII in 1828. Dominic was educated in the schools of Palencia where he devoted six years to the arts, in 1191, when Spain was desolated by famine, young Dominic gave away his money and sold his clothes, furniture and even precious manuscripts to feed the hungry. Dominic reportedly told his fellow students, Would you have me study off these dead skins. In 1194, around age twenty-five, Dominic joined the Canons Regular in the canonry in the Cathedral of Osma, following the rule of Saint Augustine. In 1203 or 1204 he accompanied Diego de Acebo, the Bishop of Osma, on a mission for Alfonso VIII, King of Castile. The envoys traveled to Denmark via Aragon and the south of France, the marriage negotiations ended successfully, but the princess died before leaving for Castile. However, even Dominic managed only a few converts among the Cathari, in 1215, Dominic established himself, with six followers, in a house given by Peter Seila, a rich resident of Toulouse. He subjected himself and his companions to the rules of prayer and penance. In the same year, the year of the Fourth Lateran Council, Dominic and Foulques went to Rome to secure the approval of the Pope, Innocent III
9.
Fortifications of Birgu
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The fortifications of Birgu are a series of defensive walls and other fortifications which surround the city of Birgu, Malta. The first fortification to be built was Fort Saint Angelo in the Middle Ages, most of the fortifications remain largely intact today. Birgus fortifications have been on Maltas tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1998, the first fortification to be built in Birgu was the Castrum Maris. It is popularly attributed to have built by the Arabs in around 870. In 1526, the Order of Saint John sent a commission of 8 knights to inspect the island of Malta and they described Birgu as a small defenceless town, with its only fortification being the obsolete and partially ruined Castrum Maris. The Order eventually moved to Malta in 1530 and established itself in Birgu, the first modifications were made to the Castrum Maris, which became Fort Saint Angelo and was used as the Grand Masters residence. Later on, the town began to be surrounded by walls. Birgus land front was built by 1540, in 1551, Ottomans attempted to attack Birgu but turned back once they saw the new defences. They attacked again with a larger force fourteen years later in 1565. The siege, which known as the Great Siege of Malta. After the Great Siege, Birgus fortifications were repaired, but soon lost most of their importance as the Order moved to its new capital Valletta, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Santa Margherita Lines and the Cottonera Lines were built around Birgus and Sengleas land fronts. These new lines increased the strength of the position. Birgus fortifications were rebuilt in the 18th century, under the direction of the architect Charles François de Mondion. On 18 July 1806, a magazine in Birgu exploded. The fortifications of Birgu were included on the Antiquities List of 1925, the first plans to restore the fortifications of Birgu were made in 2006, as part of a project that would also involve restoration of the fortifications of Valletta, Mdina and the Cittadella. Restoration of Birgus fortifications began in January 2008, and is currently ongoing, during the course of restoration work, a bastion that had been built just before the siege of 1565 as well as an 18th-century caponier were discovered. A 20th-century naval oil depot near the Post of Castile was demolished in 2010 to reveal the view of the bastions, Birgus ditch was opened to the public as a recreational area in January 2016. The recreational area includes the 18th-century caponier, which was restored and partially reconstructed, the present layout dates back to a major reconstruction by Flemish architect Carlos de Grunenbergh in the 1690s
10.
Grand Harbour
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The Grand Harbour, also known as the Port of Valletta, is a natural harbour on the island of Malta. It has been used as a harbour since at least Phoenician times, the natural harbour has been greatly improved with extensive docks and wharves, and has been massively fortified. The harbour mouth faces north east and is bounded to the north by Saint Elmo Point and its north west shore is formed by the Sciberras peninsula, which is largely covered by the city of Valletta and its suburb Floriana. This peninsula also divides Grand Harbour from a second parallel natural harbour, the main waterway of Grand Harbour continues inland almost to Marsa. The harbour has been described as Maltas greatest geographic asset, with its partner harbour of Marsamxett, Grand Harbour lies at the centre of gently rising ground. Development has grown up all around the harbours and up the slopes so that the whole bowl is effectively one large conurbation. Much of Maltas population lives within a three kilometer radius of Floriana and this is now one of the most densely populated areas in Europe. The harbours and the surrounding areas make up Maltas Northern and Southern Harbour Districts, together, these districts contain 27 of 68 local councils. They have a population of 213,722 which make up over 47% of the population of the Maltese islands. The Maltese islands have a history, mainly due to its strategic location and natural harbours. The Grand Harbour has in fact been used since prehistoric times, megalithic remains have been found on the shores of the Grand Harbour. The Kordin Temples, the earliest of which date back to around 3700 BC, another megalithic structure possibly existed underwater off Fort Saint Angelo, but this can no longer be seen. Punic and Roman remains were found on the shores of the harbour. By the 12th and 13th centuries, the Castrum Maris had been built in what is now Birgu and it might have been built instead of ancient buildings, possibly Phoenician or Roman temples, or an Arab fortress. In 1283, the Battle of Malta was fought at the entrance of the Grand Harbour, aragonese forces defeated a larger Angevin force and captured 10 galleys. The Grand Harbour was the base for the Order of Saint John for 268 years and they settled in the city of Birgu and improved its fortifications, including rebuilding the Castrum Maris as Fort Saint Angelo. In July 1551, Barbary corsairs and Ottoman forces raided Malta and they landed at Marsamxett and marched upon the Grand Harbour, but did not attack as they found the town of Birgu too well fortified to attack. Although this attempt was unsuccessful, the Ottoman force later managed to sack Gozo, after the attack, Fort Saint Elmo and Fort Saint Michael were built to better protect the harbour in any future attacks
11.
Valletta
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Valletta is the capital city of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. The historical city has a population of 6,444, while the area around it has a population of 393,938. Valletta is the southernmost capital of Europe and the second southernmost capital of the European Union after Nicosia, Valletta contains buildings from the 16th century onwards, built during the rule of the Order of St. John also known as Knights Hospitaller. The City of Valletta was officially recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980, the official name given by the Order of Saint John was Humilissima Civitas Valletta—The Most Humble City of Valletta, or Città Umilissima in Italian. The building of a city on the Sciberras Peninsula, originally called Xaghriet Mewwija, had proposed by the Order of Saint John as early as 1524. Back then, the building on the peninsula was a small watchtower dedicated to Erasmus of Formia. In 1552, the watchtower was demolished and the larger Fort Saint Elmo was built in its place, in the Great Siege of 1565, Fort Saint Elmo fell to the Ottomans, but the Order eventually won the siege with the help of Sicilian reinforcements. The victorious Grand Master, Jean de Valette, immediately set out to build a new fortified city on the Sciberras Peninsula to fortify the Orders position in Malta, the city took his name and was called La Valletta. The Grand Master asked the European kings and princes for help, pope Pius V sent his military architect, Francesco Laparelli, to design the new city, while Philip II of Spain sent substantial monetary aid. The foundation stone of the city was laid by Grand Master de Valette on 28 March 1566 and he placed the first stone in what later became Our Lady of Victories Church. De Valette died from a stroke on 21 August 1568 at age 74, originally interred in the church of Our Lady of the Victories, his remains now rest in St. Johns Co-Cathedral among the tombs of other Grand Masters of the Knights of Malta. Francesco Laparelli was the principal designer and his plan departed from medieval Maltese architecture. He designed the new city on a grid plan. The streets were designed to be wide and straight, beginning centrally from the City Gate and ending at Fort Saint Elmo overlooking the Mediterranean and his assistant was the Maltese architect Girolamo Cassar, later oversaw the construction of the city himself after Laparellis death in 1570. The Ufficio delle Case regulated the building of the city as a planning authority, seven Auberges were built for the Orders Langues, and these were complete by the 1580s. An eighth Auberge, Auberge de Bavière, was added in the 18th century. During António Manoel de Vilhenas reign, a town began to form between the walls of Valletta and the Floriana Lines, and this evolved from a suburb of Valletta to Floriana, a town in its own right. In 1749, Muslim slaves plotted to kill Grandmaster Pinto and take over Valletta, in 1798, the Order left the islands and the French occupation of Malta began
Malta
Saint-Tropez, France[23][24]
