Auberge de Castille
Castille Place. Not open to visitors.
Built on Valletta's highest point, Auberge de Castille is the largest auberge. It was remodelled in 1744 in a baroque style and has since been Malta's most monu- mental building. Today it houses the Prime Minister's office and it is not open to visitors. The imposing, ornate exterior is an impressive sight -stone panels and stone scrolls, thick shell ornamentation framing the louvered windows and a high staircase that leads to the main door framed by columns and topped by an ornate assembly of triumphal sym- bols such as drums, swords and flags
Casa Rocca Piccola
74 Republic Street (21221499/www. casaroccapiccola.comJ. Open 10am-4pm Mon-Sat. Tours on the hr.
Adorned with priceless belongings of the aristocracy, this typical Valletta palace was originally built by an Italian knight in 1580 and then bought by a member of a Maltese noble family in the 18th century. Now open as a museum, its contents provide a unique insight into the traditions of the Maltese nobility over the centuries: a small oval private chapel, a quaint poster bed and a sedan chair that once belonged to a French knight, a wood- panelled living room with a library, sofa, a portable chapel, ivory chess pieces and several paintings. Off the living room is the open plan dining room overlooking a small garden of citrus trees -a rare sight as gardens were outlawed in Valletta to make the best useoflirnited space.
Fort St Elmo
St Elmo Street, Valletta (21237747/ www.visitmalta.comJ. Open only for re-enactments most Sundays at 11am end Sept-early July.
Malta's most famous fort was built in 1552 when the Knights feared an imminent invasion by the Ottomans. The Turks eventually attacked in 1565 and the fort's unusual and controversial star shape vindicated its backers as it took the Turks one month to breach the fort despite throwing everything they had at it The fort also played a frontline role in World War II, when it took the first bomb that was dropped in Malta. Today it houses the police academy and is open on most Sundays for colourful pageantry: re-enacting a military drill and a gun salute, which is interesting in its own right and doubly worthwhile as a chance to see the interior of the fort.
Grand Master's Palace
Merchants Street (2124 9349/www.heritagemalta.org. Open State Rooms 10am-4pm Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun.
The majestic Grand Master's Palace was one of the first buildings erected in Valletta in 1571 and has served as Malta's seat of power ever since. The five State Rooms, open to the public, provide a lush feast to the eye: coffered timber ceilings, priceless furniture, paintings) knightly pomp and British royals (installed during British rule), colour- full brocade and an excellent series of frescoes depicting the glorious episodes of the Knights' history. There are also frescoes and paintings in the wide corridors, many depicting naval battles and romantic Maltese scenes, while th coats of arms of the Grand Masters ar displayed on the floors in inlaid marbll The Knights' past glory is evidence in the magnificent Armoury within th Palace, which houses more than 5,000 pieces of military hardware, includin, body armour and cannons, with the gilded parade armour of various Gran' Masters taking pride of place.
Manoel Theatre
Old Theatre Street (21246389/ www. teatrumanoel.com.mt). Open Tou~ 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.15pm Mon-
Fri; 11.30am, 12.30pm Sat.
One of Europe's oldest survivin) theatres, the Manoel Theatre was pel sonally funded by the wealthy Gran Master Manoel de Vilhena in 1731. It is designed in an elegant oval shape, with 600 seats and row upon row of intimatc boxes finished with flamboyant baroquc carvings. Its acoustics are so fine tha people can hear, from the auditorium conductors turning the pages of theii score. There is also a souvenir shop an< a lovely cafeteria in the courtyard whicl serves freshly made sandwiches, pizza~ and other light snacks, and divine Ita! iangelati. Check the website or booki~ office for plays, concerts and other per formances that are staged in the theatrl throughout most of the year.
National Library
36 Old Treasury Street (2123 6585). Open mid]une-Sept 8. 15am-1pm Mon-Fri; Oct-mid]une 8.15am-12.15pm, 1.30-5pm Mon-Fri; 8. 15am-1pm all year Sat Admission free.
The National Library was the last pub lic building erected by the Knights i/1 the 1790s and was designed in a mar. riage of baroque and neoclassical style It now holds Malta's official historicaJ archives, including all state archive of the Knights from their formation i/1 1113 to the end of their rule in Malta in 1798. The main reading hall alone con- tains 40,000 books stacked from floor to ceiling. It is a vast hall in neoclassical flamboyant style and displays important deeds and Maltese mintage in glass cas- es. Visitors are not allowed to linger but it is worth having a quick look around.
The Great Siege of Malta & The Knights of St John
Cafe Premier ComPlex, Republic Square, Republic Street (2124 7300/www. greatsiege.com.mt). Open 10am-4pm daily.
This audiovisual show, using video clips, theatrical wax-dummy reconsb"uctions and virtual reality audiovisuals, offers a quick graphic dose of the story of the Knights of Malta from their founding to their departure from Malta in 1798. The 45mins walk-through allows you to explore the experience and absorb the story of the Knights as it unfolds in the intriguing and meandering hallways and rooms. It offers only an outline of the history of the Knights but is worth a visit if you want a quick overview of Malta during their reign.
The Knights of Malta 1565 -The Show
The Powerhouse Theatre, Valletta Waterfront (9999 1565/www.malta1565.com). Open Shows 8.3Opm Thur (additional days in summer
period, call office to check).
The Great Siege of Malta, one of the greatest sieges in military history is the first topic Maltese school-children have to study. This show recounts this great story in an outstanding and gripping live spectacle at the magnificent Valletta Wa- terfront. A 50-strong cast, nine beautiful horses, dancing girls, an able falconer and his falcon, and valiant Knights in shining armour, put together a show that is both informative and entertaining. The hostess Melita guides you through the tale -she is a narrator as well as a specta- tor. Scenes change from festive to fearful as the Turks attack and the Knights fight on. To relieve the drama, a romantic tale is weaved into the spectacle.
The Malta Experience
St Elmo Bastions, Mediterranean Street (21243776/www.themaltaexperience. com). Open Shows on the hr 11am-4pm Mon-Fri; 11am-1pm Sat, Sun, public hols. Extra show at 2pm on Sat Oct-June.
This well-produced documentary of- fers interesting footage of Maltese landscapes and covers all the salient historical eras in a gripping and enter- taining manner. Summarising 7,000 years of Maltese history in a one-hour documentary obviously offers just a toe dip into Malta's history.
The Wartime Experience
Embassy Complex, Santa Lucia Street (21222225/www.embassycomplex.com.mt). Open Shows on the hr 10am-1pm daily.
The Wartime Experience is a film documentary focusing on World War II, with black-and-white period footage -a story of suffering, gallantry and detennina- tion. The narrative is accurate and de- tailed, yet tight and urgent and the foot- age edited tightly.
Valletta Waterfront
The upgrade of the Valletta Waterfront was the first among the massive resto- ration projects of some of Malta's archi- tectural gems. Ever since the capital's waterfront was meticulously brought to its former glory, it sees throngs of people day in day out During the day, it is buzzing with activity as cruise- liners enter and leave Grand Harbour. At night time, locals and foreigners mingle in the bars and restaurants that line the waterfront or just take a stroll to take in the beautifully restored facades of the stores built by Grand Master Pin- to and the stunning view of the Three Cities and Fort StAngelo across.
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