This is the main entrance to Malta’s capital city, Valletta. I took this shot a few days ago when we went to Valletta to enjoy the Christmas lights and decorations. As you can see it was not completely dark yet and people are still starting to pour in.
Valletta was built following the Great Siege of 1565 when an immensely larger force of Ottomen soldiers intent on taking the Island from the Knights of St. John and Malta was defeated and left empty-handed leaving many dead behind. The first stone was placed in 1566 but the idea of having a new city had been there for many years. The new city was named Valletta after Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette, the hero of the Great Siege who laid the first stone himself. The city is heavily fortified and surrounded with huge impregnable walls. There were three gates into the city at the time and here was the main gate. Many modifications have been carried out along the years. This is the third completely different entrance I know of. It is a modern concept and was designed by the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano complete with a replica of the old drawbridge. This is view from the inside.
To allow for better accessibility for traffic other openings in the walls have been made along the years.
Thank you so much for looking and for your lovely comments and the fav's on yesterday's picture.
Beautiful shot. Valletta holds sweet memories for me. We vacationed there as a family when I was 14. It was the last family vacation we had all together (my brothers, myself, and my parents) my father passed away the next year. I have not been back to Malta since, but I do so hope to.
