1. Valletta’s Founding after the great siege

Valletta was founded by the Order of St. John after the Great Siege of 1565.

In 1530, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, gave the islands of Malta to the Knights Hospitaller under the leadership of Frenchman Philippe Villiers de L’Isle-Adam, in perpetual lease for which they had to pay an annual tribute of a single Maltese Falcon. These knights, a military religious order also known as the Order of St John and later as the Knights of Malta, had been driven out of Rhodes by the Ottoman Empire in 1522 following the siege of Rhodes.

The Knights Hospitaller ruled Malta and Gozo between 1530 and 1798. During this period, the strategic and military importance of the island grew greatly as the small yet efficient fleet of the Order of Saint John launched their attacks from this new base targeting the shipping lanes of the Ottoman territories around the Mediterranean Sea.

The Ottomans first attempted to take Malta in 1551 but failed. In 1565, Suleiman the Magnificent, the Ottoman Sultan, made a second attempt to take Malta.

The knights, led by Frenchman Jean Parisot de Valette, who numbered around 500 together with approximately 6,000 footsoldiers, finally withstood the Great Siege which lasted 4 months.

In the photograph of an etching by Matteo Perez d’Aleccio (1547-1616) depicting the bombardment of St Elmo on the 27th May 1565 we can see the peninsula of Sciberra with Fort Elmo at the front end. It is this peninsula where Valletta will be planned and built from 1566.

The knights, with the help of Portuguese, Spanish and Maltese forces, repelled the attack and the Turkish army escaped in September 1565.

This is the only map of Malta I could find prior to the construction of the new city of Valletta. Only the towns of Birgu with Fort Sant Angelo, the town of Senglea and Fort Elmo at the front end of peninsula of Sciberra existed in 1565.

Renaissance Planning (1566)

After the siege the knights decided to increase Malta’s fortifications, particularly in the inner-harbour area. They also decided to built a complete new city – the city of Valletta, named in honour of Valette.

It is one of the first cities in Europe to be constructed entirely according to a formal plan, with a grid layout, bastioned fortifications, and Baroque architecture. Francesco Laparelli and later Girolamo Cassar designed it as a fortified city with both military and civic considerations—a model of Renaissance urbanism.

The original design can be seen very well on this map by Joh. Martin Lerch ob 1682:

2. British Colonial Era (1800–1964)

Under British rule, Valletta underwent modernization, including improved infrastructure, water supply, and harbor facilities. The Grand Harbour became a key naval base, and British colonial architecture began to mix with the older Baroque styles. This period also saw shifts in land use and the rise of administrative and institutional buildings.

Up until the middle of of the 19th century nothing important changed as we see on this map of 1823:

Almost 100 years later, around 1900, suburbanization began, but the city’s fortifications were preserved – to this day.

3. World War II Destruction and Post-war Reconstruction

Valletta and its surroundings were heavily bombed during World War II due to their strategic importance. Post-war rebuilding efforts were extensive, though often pragmatic and constrained by limited resources. Some historic areas were lost or altered, while new developments emerged with a more modernist architectural style.

4. Post-Independence Decline and Suburbanization (1964–1990s)

After Malta’s independence in 1964, Valletta saw a decline in population as residents moved to suburbs. The city’s commercial and residential vitality waned, and many historic buildings fell into disrepair. Urban planning during this time struggled to balance modernization with heritage conservation.

5. Revitalization and UNESCO Protection (1980s–present)

Valletta was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, triggering increased efforts in heritage conservation. EU membership in 2004 brought funding for restoration, infrastructure, and cultural projects. The city’s designation as European Capital of Culture in 2018 catalyzed public investment and urban renewal—highlighted by projects like Renzo Piano’s redesign of the City Gate area and the Parliament building.

Valletta today balances its historical legacy with modern civic and cultural life, becoming a key example of heritage-led urban regeneration.