Lesson 5 - Fortifications under the Knights of St John

Text by Christian Debono; Design and images by Martin Galea De Giovanni.
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The construction of Valletta

After the Siege the knights knew from their battle experience that their position was vulnerable from the Sciberras peninsula since the latter separated the two main harbours.

The Knights took the opportunity to build a new city which was supported generously by European leaders in virtue of the successful defense of Malta by the Knights and Maltese.

Valletta was constructed on the plans of Francesco Laparelli. The cliffs of the peninsula were carved back and on top of them walls were constructed. From the land side the bastions were carved out of rock and a moat dug out. With the building of Valletta the Knights had established a prime defensive position to defend the harbour.