Owner: Valletta Suites URL:http://vallettasuites.blogspot.com Join Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 05:19:27 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Inside Valletta - capital city of Malta and world heritage site. Photos and tips. Site statistics:Click here
Springtime in Valletta 2008-02-20 04:59:00 "Because early spring is just about the best time to be in the Maltese micro-capital.... Time your visit for the 'shoulder' season and you'll get plenty of sunshine without contending with the crowds."Matthew Teller, The ObserverValletta
is dotted with small wonderful gardens, beautiful baroque architecture, museums and galleries. One of the best kept gardens is at The Upper Barracca. This is the best time of year to enjoy the sun from this wonderful Belveder. This is undoubtedly the best view of the Grand Harbour. There is of course the Lower Barracca with the beautiful Neo-Classical monument dedicated to Sir Alexander Ball, not to mention the larger than life bronze statue of Eneas. There are other smaller gardens in Valletta. Walking along the Mall you can get to Argotti gardens whic Read more:Springtime
St Paul's Feast in Valletta 2008-02-08 01:14:00 It is 1045 years since St Paul's visit to Malta, and the majority of Maltese still celebrate his feast which is traditionally held on the 10th of February to mark the day.The apex of celebrations will be held at St. Paul’s Church in Valletta
on Thursday at 0900CET. A further mass in English will be held at 1545CET. The procession with the statue of the saint will leave the church at 1730CET. It will pass through St Paul Street, Republic Street, St John's Street, Merchants Street, Melita Street and return to St Paul Street in order to re-renter the church. There will be two fireworks displays at the beginning and end of the procession, close to the Central Bank in Valletta.The Church of St Paul Shipwrecked, has a sumptuous interior containing a fine altar-piece depicting the shipwreck Read more:Feast
Valletta Carnival 2008 (photos) 2008-02-04 06:47:00 Check out the link below for a selection of fun images from this year's Carnival
activities in Floriana and Valletta
.View Flickr slideshow here Read more:photos
Carnival in Valletta 2008-01-14 00:21:00 February is for Carnival
01/02/2008 to 05/02/2008Early springtime on the Islands brings along carnival week, which takes on a traditional pattern; extravagantly coloured floats are perched on lorries ready for the procession day, children running around in fancy dress costumes and Malta’s main nightlife centre, Paceville, catching the late night carnival goers who pile into the clubs and bars, still wearing their outrageous outfits. The heart of the action takes place in Valletta
. Freedom Square in Valletta is the main place for watching the open-air comedic and baroque musical performances. The Maltese social set does their thing at the Grand Ball held at the Casino Maltese. Traditionally the centerpiece of the parade, the larger-than-life King Carnival float, a mad grinning figure wi
Malta Carnival 2008 (Valletta Celebrations) 2008-01-12 01:56:00 31 Jan 2008 - 06 Feb 2008 February is Carnival
time in Valletta
, when the giant papier mache heads and grotesque figures come out of storage to be loaded on to floats and paraded through the streets. Not only Valletta but Floriana and the villages of Gozo, too, indulge in a Bacchanalian week of fun and frolics. Parades through the streets, bands, street theatre and entertainment make this one of Malta's major festivals, and one which has been around for a while. The first carnival was organised shortly after the Knights of St John came to the Island in 1535. Carnival dates are traditionally fixed at seven Sundays before Easter Sunday, which in turn is fixed at 14 days after the first new moon following March 21. Hence the wide annual variat Read more:Celebrations
Birgu Christmas Lights 2007-12-11 08:37:00 Carols By Candlelight - Saturday December 22From the present day capital Valletta one can go by bus or by boat to the other side of the Grand Harbour to the old headquarters of the Knights, Birgu (named Vittoriosa after the Great Siege). One of the oldest villages of Malta, Birgu is the perfect symbol of the rich history of the islands. This year the Birgu Local Council in association with the Malta Tourism Authority will be organizing an ‘Carols By Candlelight’, evening of Christmas
entertainment at Birgu on Saturday, December 22. It is envisaged that this event will be organized on a large scale similar in line to past editions of Birgu By Candlelight, and it is expected to attract a large number of people from all over Malta and Gozo.It is planned that on this evening the town will Read more:Lights
Valletta and Traditional Maltese cribs 2007-12-11 08:15:00 Every year, during the weeks preceding Christmas, the Friends of the Crib hold an exhibition of works by their members. About one hundred cribs of various shapes and sizes made from different media like papier mache, cork etc, are put together to offer visitors, locals and tourists alike, the true story of Christmas, the birth of Baby Jesus.This exhibition is just a street away from Maison La Vallette ( St Francis Hall, Melita Street Valletta
.) It is open from 0900am - 1230pm and from 0400pm - 0700pm admission is free. Read more:Traditional
Oliver Reed - His Last Pub in Valletta 2007-12-10 09:19:00 There can be few shrines to fallen artists that compare to Ollie's Last Pub. Oliver
Reed, star of such films as Women in Love, The Three Musketeers, Oliver! and Castaway, died in 1999 after a drinking session in The Pub in Valetta's Archbishop Street. Admirers of the actor continue to flock from all over the world to pay their respects by sitting where Ollie sat on his last night on earth.The Pub, which has been run by the Cremona family for the past 21 years, became Oliver Reed's favourite drinking spot when he was in Malta on holidays and during the making of his last film, Gladiator. On his last night, Ollie was said to have downed eight pints of lager, some rum and whisky, won an arm-wrestling contest and insisted on paying for the round. In honour of Reed, The Pub subtitled itself "O Read more:Valletta
Valletta Waterfront 2007-12-10 01:37:00 Nineteen historical 250 year old sumptuous warehouses, built by Grand Master Pinto at the height of the baroque period in Malta ... stretching along the water’s edge and the historical Quay Wall where the Knights of St John and European merchants used to unload their wares … the impregnable Old Power Station that serves as a testimony to the eclectic and heroic history of the Grand Harbour ... the Forni Stores, dating back to 1626 and constructed by Grand Master de Vilhena ... have now been majestically restored and provide a complete mix of retail, dining and leisure experiences. All this comes with an added bonus – the majestic setting within the Grand Harbour, a natural deep water port, for many thousand of years the epicentre of Malta’s Read more:Valletta
, Waterfront
Christmas in Valletta 2007-11-12 16:29:00 Christmas street lights in Valletta
Valletta is a wonderful gateway to the rest of the island where you can spend a peaceful and relaxed Christmas vacations. Your stay in this wonderful city will make you feel as if you have stepped back in time and you will be able to experience the splendor of the Renaissance and Baroque architecture of this world heritage site. Those interested in Christmas shopping, will find the main shopping streets sparkling with festive lights and packed with shoppers. The weather is generally mild and even on the coldest days in winter, the sun usually makes a generous appearance. At the Christmas Market which is open daily you can buy the components for your own nativity scene, as well as sweets, toys and all sorts of Christmas-related ornaments and goodies. Shop Read more:Christmas
Palazzo Falzon - Mdina 2007-11-10 02:10:00 The Norman House is situated in Triq Villegaigon, Mdina, and originally was a much smaller construction. The position of the main entrance of the earliest part of the Norman House was different than it is today. The main door overlooked a street that probably existed where the staircase now stands.This part of the house is considered to date back to the fourteenth century and originally was a one-storey building. Another floor was added in the fifteenth century. As was customary in this period, the ground floor was used as a store, or stables and kitchen whilst the upper floor was used as living quarters. The existing courtyard and staircase date back to the sixteenth century.The earlier part of the house follows the basic plan of the typical Maltese house or palace of that period. In plan Read more:Palazzo
The Bakery next door 2007-11-09 16:20:00 Maltese cooking is a conglomeration of traditional recipes handed down, combined with the influences left behind of the many foreign dominations, as well as a nod to its neighbors, Sicily and North Africa. Since there has always been a lack of firewood on the island, the people of Malta long ago developed a slow-method of cooking. Food was placed in earthenware dishes over a little portable stone stove which they would sit by, constantly fanning and feeding bits of thistle and brushwood. Although gas ovens are now available, this slow simmer method is still preferred resulting in the tender falling-off-the-bone meat with deeply infused flavors. Another charming holdover from long ago can be seen on Sunday mornings. Housewives line up at the local bakery holding a large linen-covered cas Read more:Bakery
Flea market in Valletta 2007-11-09 15:56:00 Sunday Morning Market - flea market in Valletta
The Monti, as it is called locally, is a flea market held outside Valletta's city walls, in front of St. James Bastion & St. James Counter Guard at the side of the bus station. This is the largest market in Malta and and interesting to have a look around. Hawkers start putting up their wares early in the morning. Everything is cleared by noon so start early ! During the week there is a daily open air market in Merchant Street near the Palace.Both outdoor markets sell the usual merchandise sold in markets world wide, seconds, antiques, books, fake designer labels. If you are looking for a bargain amongst the brick a brac get there early. Don't forget to polish up your bargaining skills.There is also the old market - better known as Is-S
Casa Rocca Piccola - the splendour of Maltese Palaces 2007-11-09 15:27:00 A Maltese family owned Palace in the heart of Valletta.Casa Rocca Piccola is the home of The 9th Marquis and Marchioness de Piro. It is still privately owned and is a much loved family home. The value of Casa Rocca Piccola lies in its ability to provide unique historical evidence into the customs and traditions of the Maltese nobility over the last 400 years. You can also see a collection of furniture, silver and paintings that add to the aesthetic riches of this country. Casa Rocca Piccola contains over 50 rooms, the majority of which are open for viewing. Over the last few years a Museum of Costume has been opened in the property and also the World War II Air Raid
The Splendor of Maltese Palaces- Palazzo Parisio 2007-11-09 15:04:00 Palazzo ParisioJustifiably described as “a miniature Versailles”, Palazzo Parisio is a historic palace at the heart of the Maltese village of Naxxar, facing the baroque parish church dedicated to Our Lady in Victory Square. Now the home of the prominent, long-established and ennobled Scicluna family, in its time it has been the residence of the most popular Grand Master of the Knights of St John (the “Knights of Malta”), of Sicilian and Maltese nobility, and temporarily of the local Jesuit community.Behind its relatively modest façade is a sumptuous and flamboyant chateau that has been constantly developed and lavishly decorated across the centuries in exuberant style by the finest and most eminent craftsmen of the time.Today it stands painstakingly restored to follow exactly the Read more:Palazzo
, Splendor
The Knights of Malta 1565 2007-11-09 03:54:00 Knights SpectacularA Musical TaleA 50-strong cast, eight beautiful horses, dancing girls and valiant Knights in shining armour will dazzle you with this outstanding and gripping live spectacle at the Powerhouse Theatre at the Valletta Waterfront. Meet Melita, narrator and spectator, as she guides you through this engrossing and thrilling story, happening in 1565, the year of the Great Siege of Malta, one of the greatest sieges of European military history. Meet Maltese peasants celebrating a traditional festa, experience the majestic entrance of Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette and the Knights in shining armour on their steeds, and hold your breath as the Grand Master's personal falconer manages to catch his falcon with extreme skill. The battle scenes are particularly effective, an Read more:Knights
Manoel Theatre 2007-11-09 01:11:00 In a narrow street to the west of the Baroque city of Valletta stands one of the oldest theatres in Europe. It is certainly the oldest theatre in the Commonwealth. To this day, it is still, and will continue to be, a living, working theatre. Teatru Manoel was built in 1731, in just one calendar year, by the Portuguese Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena. De Vilhena was so personally involved in its conception and construction that it was paid for out of his own pocket.Embellished over the centuries, this theatre is a true architectural gem. Today, the theatre is one of Malta’s foremost performing spaces, offering a wide range of productions including opera, ballet, contemporary dance, music, children’s performances and drama. Teatru Manoel’s visitors can enjoy the best of local ta
Malta sightseeing 2007-11-09 00:29:00 Malta Sightseeing is offering sightseers hop on, hop off tours and passengers may hop on or off the bus at any of the stops. The Red Tour takes passengers to some of the island's most spectacular attractions, including the Upper Barrakka Gardens, Fort St Elmo, the Valletta Waterfront, Senglea Point, the Vittoriosa Waterfront, the Hypogeum, Tarxien Temples, Marsaxlokk, Ghar Dalam, the Blue Grotto and the Limestone Heritage. This is a circular route and returns to Sliema. Each bus is equipped with an audio system that provides information in eight languages: Maltese, English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Danish & Japanese. Buses leave from Sliema every hour, starting at 0900 and the last bus leaves Sliema at 1500. Buses operate between Monday & Saturday (excluding Public Holida
Classic Cars Grand Prix 2007-10-11 01:23:00 The first edition of the Grand
Prix de Malte, a rally for ‘Classic
Cars’ will be held around Valletta between 20 - 29 October 2007.There would be almost a whole week of activities in between October 20 until October 29 when all the participants will be here. The culminating point will be the Grand Prix
competition that will take place on Valletta’s ring road on Sunday, October 28 in the morning.sites to visitClassic cars Malta
Mdina - the silent city 2007-10-07 14:31:00 The old capital of Mdina is a most interesting and typical mediaeval town situated in the centre of the island. The "Silent City", as it is also known, commands a magnificent view of the Island and although it is fully inhabited, silence reigns supreme.It is thought to have been first populated by the Phoenicians around 1000 BC. When Malta came under the Romans, the Governor chose to build his Palace there and it housed the government. The city earned its present day name from the Saracens who came to Malta around 870 AD. They surrounded the city with thicker walls, separating it from its nearest town, Rabat.Today, mercifully it is mainly off limits to cars and there is a calming atmosphere as you walk along its narrow streets and ways, passing by some of the best Norman and Baroque archit
Caravaggio A Visionary And Great Artist 2007-09-28 15:05:00 CARAVAGGIO400 aims at celebrating Caravaggio’s presence in Malta through a number of coordinated events and initiatives over 2007 and 2008. Caravaggio400 is an umbrella term under which organisations have been invited to organise Caravaggio related events.Each institution will be responsible for its own particular event, but the entire programme will be presented as a National Programme. The programme includes, among others, the issue of commemorative silver ingot and a commemorative coin, lectures and seminars by various international experts on the theme of Caravaggio, restoration projects by Caravaggio Foundation and Heritage Malta, an exhibition of representations in salt of six Caravaggio paintings on the Passion and Resurrection of Christ, an exhibition on Caravaggio and Caravaggis Read more:Visionary
, Great
, Artist
Malta Experience 2007-09-28 14:24:00 In the beginning was a dark time - a time of change and birth. Driven by elemental forces, seas swelled and shrunk. Mighty land masses transformed themselves, and the Maltese archipelago came into being. Caught on these shores the first inhabitants of Malta built their first Temples more than 5,000 years ago. Malta's Hagar Qim temple complex is older than the pyramids in Egypt and Stonehenge in England.This and more can be experienced in an audio visual spectacular - The Malta Experience.It is just ten minutes walk from Maison La Vallette at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. This was formerly the Hospital of the Knights of St John and right next to fort St Elmo. The place itself is worth a visit and the audio visual presentation will give you an interesting overview of Maltese history a
Birgu by Candlelight 2007-09-28 00:19:00 The fourth edition of Birgu By Candlelight
.Festival - 12th October 2007Among its innovative aspects is the World War II theme that is running through the entertainment around the event. Artistic and cultural activities, including the three-hour show on a stage in the main square, are being linked to the subject, featuring post- and pre-war tunes, dance and projectionsVittoriosa, which has already benefitted from a facelift over the years, takes on magical charm when the lights are out and the narrow, winding streets are illuminated by flickering candles.Short music, theatre and dance performances will be held on the streets, offering an element of surprise, while visitors can also experience a discovery tour around the town.A ghost tour, as well as tours of Vittoriosa and its military for
Valletta eating out - bars, cafes & restaurants 2007-09-16 01:30:00 Valletta is dotted with small restaurants
, cafes
and interesting bars. All have their own unique character. Maison La Vallette is situated minutes away from the best top eating
places from the hip Two-Twenty Two to the Cockney's Bar & Restaurant just down the road next to the ferry.Maltese cuisine is similar to Italian food, with added influences from other Mediterranean countries. However, the surprising local fondness for Sunday roasts has nothing to do with geography and everything to do with Malta’s long period under British control. The island’s cuisine has been heavily influenced by the many cultures that have occupied the island over the centuries. The most influential and not surprising is the very strong Italian , and to a lesser extent North African i Read more:Valletta
Rolex Middle Sea Race - Valletta Harbour 2007-09-10 00:53:00 Date: 20 October 2007 - 20 October 2007Time: 11.00hrsThe start of the Rolex
Middle Sea Race is from the waters opposite the Royal Malta Yacht Club in Marsamxett Harbour
and thousands of people gather on either side of this imposing harbour to enjoy this spectacle of sail.The start line in the Harbour is arguably the most spectacular of any yacht race in the world, but it is narrow and so the race committee phase the fleet into various divisions, starting with the smallest and graduating up to the Maxis.As you approach the Islands' capital city of Valletta
, your eyes will fix onto the Grand Harbour, with the reflection of the hearty sun bouncing off crisp breezy waves, while the majestic bastions glance into the depths below.Grand Harbour's reputation as one of the safest natural havens in
Holy Week 2008 in Birgu (Vittoriosa) 2008-03-21 04:13:00 I have uploaded a few images of Birgu churches and Holy week statues to my Flickr Valletta Events section.More information about Holy Week in Malta can be found at www.holyweekmalta.comThis site provides a map with various Malta locations, highlighting Passion of Christ exhibitions.
Holy Week in Valletta and Birgu (Vittoriosa) 2008-03-21 01:47:00 Holy Week in Malta takes place during the week before Easter and has held an important place in Malta's calender for centuries.The cult of Christ Passion and Resurrection from Lent to Pentecost. This is very similar to procession held in Spain and particularly Seville. Many churches have movable floats depicting images of Christ, the Virgin or scenes of the Passion. Some date back to the Knights of Malta and have been commission from artists in Spain, due to the fact that the Order of St John had the Spanish Language as one of its members in the order.The celebrations make an impressive spectacle that is both a 'festa' and a time of religious devotion. Churches as decorated with flowers and damask wall coverings. In Valletta
, as well as in other localities, especially Birgu and the Cottone
Spezzo - Fine dining in Valletta 2008-03-20 12:43:00 Formerly known as the Civil Service Sports Club, Spezzo breathes fresh air into the historical baroque city of Valletta
. Close to the majestic Grandmaster’s Palace, Spezzo has managed to create an eloquent balance between baroque and the avant-garde promising to delight patrons with its sophisticated ambience and luscious gastronomy.Every detail has been given much thought and care… The refined romantic atmosphere, the attentive, yet unassuming service, managed by restaurant manager Lisa, and the tastefully decorated dining rooms and intimate bar.Specializing in Mediterranean Cuisine, delicacies such as suckling pig from the rotisserie and fresh shell fish dishes, prepared daily by chef de cuisine Elias, are perennial favourites and special dietary requirements are also catered for.A v
Maltese Cross 2008-03-20 11:10:00 The Maltese cross is today synonymous with Malta. Its origins go back to the 11th century when some merchants from Amalfi, who traded with Egypt, obtained from the Caliph permission to construct in Jerusalem a church, a residence for themselves and a convent for the monks of the Order of the Benedictines of Monte Cassino.As many Christian pilgrims flocked to Jerusalem, a hospital was also built. It was then that they adopted the cross of Amalfi and the name of Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem. By 1099, Gerard Tunc, a Frenchman, was master of the hospital and on his request Pope Pascal 11 recognised the community as a religious order in 1113.Gerard Tunc became the first Grand Master of the Order and it is generally agreed that he introduced the white eight-pointed cross which was worn Read more:Cross
Mini Valletta City Travel Guide 2008-03-18 05:00:00 We have just added a new section to the Maison La Vallette website with a brief guide to main events in Valletta
, places to dine and cafes.. with contact details. The mini guide can be accessed in the Valletta section of the site. Read more:Travel
, Guide
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