Valletta
Valletta (/vəˈlɛtə/, Maltese: il-Belt Valletta, Maltese pronunciation: [vɐlˈlɛt.tɐ]) is an administrative unit and the capital of Malta. Located on the main island, between Marsamxett Harbour to the west and the Grand Harbour to the east, its population within administrative limits in 2014 was 6,444. According to the data from 2020 by Eurostat, the Functional Urban Area and metropolitan region covered the whole island and has a population of 480,134. Valletta is the southernmost capital of Europe, and at just 0.61 square kilometres (0.24 sq mi), it is the European Union's smallest capital city.
Valletta
Il-Belt Valletta | |
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From top: Skyline, Saluting Battery, Lower Barrakka Gardens, St. John's Co-Cathedral and the city walls | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
| Nickname: Il-Belt | |
| Motto: City Built By Gentlemen For Gentlemen | |
Valletta Map of the Maltese Archipelago with Valletta Valletta Valletta (European Union) Valletta Valletta (Mediterranean) | |
| Coordinates: 35°53′54″N 14°30′45″E | |
| Country | Malta |
| Region | South Eastern Region |
| District | Southern Harbour District |
| Capital city | 18 March 1571 |
| Founded by | Jean de Parisot Valette |
| Borders | Floriana |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Alfred Zammit (PL) |
| Area | |
| • Capital city and local council | 0.61 km2 (0.24 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 256 km2 (99 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 56 m (184 ft) |
| Population (Jan. 2019) | |
| • Capital city and local council | 5,827 |
| • Density | 9,600/km2 (25,000/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 480,134 |
| Demonym(s) | Belti (m), Beltija (f), Beltin (pl) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | VLT |
| Dialing code | 356 |
| ISO 3166 code | MT-60 |
| Patron saints | St. Dominic Our Lady of Mount Carmel St. Paul St. Augustine |
| Day of festa | 3 August 10 February |
| Website | Official website |
| Official name | City of Valletta |
| Criteria | Cultural: i, vi |
| Reference | 131 |
| Inscription | 1980 (4th Session) |
| Area | 55.5 ha |
Valletta's 16th-century buildings were constructed by the Knights Hospitaller. The city was named after Jean Parisot de Valette, who succeeded in defending the island from an Ottoman invasion during the Great Siege of Malta. The city is Baroque in character, with elements of Mannerist, Neo-Classical and Modern architecture, though the Second World War left major scars on the city, particularly the destruction of the Royal Opera House. The city was officially recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. The city has 320 monuments, all within an area of 0.55 square kilometres (0.21 sq mi), making it one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. Sometimes called an "open-air museum", Valletta was chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2018. Valletta was also listed as the sunniest city in Europe in 2016.
The city is noted for its fortifications, consisting of bastions, curtains and cavaliers, along with the beauty of its Baroque palaces, gardens and churches.