Valletta, an impregnable fortress in the heart of the Mediterranean and of history. Coveted by all, Malta was dominated successively by the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Arabs and the knights of Saint John. Gigantic walls were erected on Mount Sciberras during the 16th century to protect the island from Ottoman attacks. It was wasted labour, as the victories of Malta and Lepanto (1571) put an end to the Turkish onslaughts, but today the ramparts make a beautiful addition to the island’s cultural heritage. The 320 monuments, covering an area of 55 hectares, make Valletta an extremely concentrated historical zone and without doubt one of the most beautiful fortified cities in the world. A city of art, architecture and crossed histories, the current Maltese capital is also a first class administrative, financial and university centre, where the art of island living marries perfectly with the frenetic pace of the students, who come from all four corners of the globe to learn English and have a good time. A sumptuous setting for an unforgettable stay!
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