If you have visited Valletta, Malta, and the upper Barrakka Gardens then you have probably looked across the Grand Harbour towards the fortresses of the Three Cities: Vittoriosa / Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua which sit like a trio of villages in the heart of Malta’s historic centre.
The Vittoriosa Yacht Marina is the centre and heart of the Three Cities. It basically sits between all three of the neighbourhoods and its marina was likely a big reason for the heavy fortifications at the ends of Birgu and Senglea.
The city, which sits on a narrow peninsular stretching across the Grand Harbour, was originally called Birgu, but was renamed Vittoriosa (meaning victorious) following the Great Siege of 1565, to commemorate the role it played in the defence of the island. This fortified city is one of the oldest in Malta and the first home of the Knights of the Order of St John, who settled on the island in 1530.
Birgu had four city gates, three of which still survive. They were designed by Charles François de Mondion in the 18th century, and are in the Baroque style:
“Nobody expects the Maltese Inquisition!” From the 16th to 18th centuries, the Maltese Inquisition was conducted from the Inquisitor Palace in central Birgu. Not to be underestimated, the inquisitors of Malta had a fair amount of power and even produced several Popes during their tenure. Now a museum it was originally the official residence of Malta’s first inquisitor.
One of the best things to do is simply wander around the residential streets which are probably the most authentic of Maltese life. You’ll find a lot of the wonderful closed balconies that are an architectural feature of the whole country.
Coming off Victory Square are plenty of small backstreets that have a cosy, pedestrian vibe to them. Look for the small details of the balconies and doors in the maze of streets that have probably looked the same for hundreds of years.
Visiting the Three Cities is one of the best things to do in Malta, and you can get there easily by bus or ferry and the best way to explore the area is on foot.
TRAVEL WORDS 
Ooh, ferry! Bonus points. Did you stay in Valetta? Your photos are beautiful, Jude. Love that dolphin door handle. Did you have to re-edit them much? I’m very tempted now! Coincidentally a close friend is going there next month.
You’d love Malta, lots of churches and parades! I was obsessed with door handles then and Malta has some very interesting ones. We actually were on a package holiday which turned out to be in a dreadful hotel near St Paul’s Bay – Qawra. Shocking food and rooms, but we made the best of it by getting out and about every day and really only sleeping there. I would recommend Valletta if you fancy going.
I do! Still got a lot of planning to do. Before life overtakes us! 🤔🩵
Like Jo, very tempted …
I suspect it is a lot busier now, and it does attract huge cruise ships, but it is a fascinating island if you like history and the architecture is extremely interesting. I really like those covered balconies.
Cruise ships. Grrrrrrr.
We have previously discussed my desire to visit Valetta, and these extra photos have whetted my appetite to do that.
Best wishes, Pete. x
I’d say get on and do it Pete. Spring and autumn are probably the best times.
We are still waiting for a date for Julie’s knee replacement surgery. We can’t book anything until we know that. It’s frustrating.
Best wishes, Pete. x
Well you have plenty to explore in Norfolk / Suffolk for the moment. All those places you weren’t able to visit with Ollie.
We have three lasting impressions of Valletta, having book ended a trip to Gozo with two stops there. One is the unusual closed balconies, the second the loud chiming of the cathedral clock right opposite our apartment and on the same horizontal plain as our ears (!) and the third unfortunately was witnessing a handbag snatch from a very upset young girl, in those very gardens. But of course away from those memories, Valletta is a beautiful, sweeping city with top drawer harbour views and we really enjoyed our two brief stays.
The balconies are wonderful. As are the door handles! Clock chimes and bag snatching not so great.
Professor Wikipedia notes that Valletta “was named after Jean Parisot de Valette, who succeeded in defending the island from an Ottoman invasion during the Great Siege of Malta,” and that Valletta is the southernmost and smallest capital city in Europe.
Sounds about right! It is a very small capital, but it is also quite a small island. I mentioned Jean Parisot de la Valette in my older Valletta post
Lovely photos, Jude! My eyes keep going to the dog statue.
Friends of ours are going to Malta this week. I have made a mental note of visiting the Three Cities should we get away ourselves. Xx
I had to go back and look for the dog statue! I wonder if that is a bone it is holding? The Three Cities – Birgu in particular – is wonderful to walk around. We spent time walking around the harbours and buses are frequent.
I would be fascinated to wander through those streets, enjoying the historic feel and looking out for characterful details. That’s unlikely to happen, so your post makes an excellent substitute! 🙂
We would have loved to go back and spend more time in Valletta but we’re not keen on flying now and it is a long way from here to the Eurostar!
We’ve pretty much given up on flying too. There were too many responsibilities keeping us here for a while and hubby had to do a lot of travelling for work so got tired of it eventually!
A bit like us then.
You are definitely selling Malta to me.
Worth a look at I think.
Those city gates look amazing. And the little back streets are certainly somewhere I’d like to explore
I much prefer wandering around places like this on my own, taking in all the details.
Malta looks very similar to Rhodes, so I’m sure I would enjoy Valletta. Your images are enticing. Funny how one thing dominates our attention while travelling. Door handles, doors, weird looking people or architecture 😉
I have only had a brief stay on Rhodes and remember little of the old town as I had two tots in tow! And it was cold! (November)
You’re English, cold weather is normal 😉 No wonder you don’t remember to busy keeping tots entertained.
I had been living in south Africa at the time, so very much not used to the cold 🤣 reaching the UK and snow was a total shock!
Ok, that makes sense regarding feeling the cold😊 You’re originally from the UK?
Oh, yes. Went travelling at 17, arrived back for good aged 30. Although my intention was to emigrate to Australia.