Situated on a peninsula and flanked by two magnificent natural harbours. Valletta, with a landmass of just 0.55sq km, is Europe's smallest capital city. Founded in 1566 by Grandmaster Jean Parisot de la Valette, the hero of the Great Siege of 1565, when the Knights of the Order of St. John, together with the local inhabitants, fought off an Ottoman invasion force.
The Knights were conscious that their built environment was crucial for survival against further attacks, set about building a highly fortified city from the ground up. Based on a grid-like layout, with impressive bastions, Auberges (Palaces), and churches, the city has withstood the testament of time. In 1980 Valletta was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. And the construction of a new Parliament building and the transformation of City Gate by renowned architect Renzo Piano has added a much-needed contemporary touch to this lived-in city.
That's the history elevator speech out of the way...
Photographically Valletta is imbued with textures of the past. And, at times, almost theatrically lit by the harsh Meditteranean light. The city is alive with locals going about their day-to-day routines and tourists visiting the numerous museums, cafes and restaurants. And capturing fleeting moments of this street theatre can sometimes be challenging, as photographic opportunities present themselves and disappear in the blink of an eye, and capturing these moments is the very essence of street photography.
Finally, I will quote a few lines from a poem entitled "Farewell to Malta", penned by Lord Byron on his return trip to the island.
Adieu, ye joys of La Valletta!
Adieu, scirocco, sun and sweat!
Adieu, thou palace rarely entered!
Adieu, ye mansions where I've ventured!
Adieu, ye cursed streets of stairs!
(How surely he who mounts you swears!)
Apparently, Byron had little time for Malta and did not enjoy walking Valletta's numerous stair-lined streets. They are, however, very much a feature in my ongoing collection of Valletta street images.
Situated on a peninsula and flanked by two magnificent natural harbours. Valletta, with a landmass of just 0.55sq km, is Europe's smallest capital city. Founded in 1566 by Grandmaster Jean Parisot de la Valette, the hero of the Great Siege of 1565, when the Knights of the Order of St. John, together with the local inhabitants, fought off an Ottoman invasion force.
The Knights were conscious that their built environment was crucial for survival against further attacks, set about building a highly fortified city from the ground up. Based on a grid-like layout, with impressive bastions, Auberges (Palaces), and churches, the city has withstood the testament of time. In 1980 Valletta was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. And the construction of a new Parliament building and the transformation of City Gate by renowned architect Renzo Piano has added a much-needed contemporary touch to this lived-in city.
That's the history elevator speech out of the way...
Photographically Valletta is imbued with textures of the past. And, at times, almost theatrically lit by the harsh Meditteranean light. The city is alive with locals going about their day-to-day routines and tourists visiting the numerous museums, cafes and restaurants. And capturing fleeting moments of this street theatre can sometimes be challenging, as photographic opportunities present themselves and disappear in the blink of an eye, and capturing these moments is the very essence of street photography.
Finally, I will quote a few lines from a poem entitled "Farewell to Malta", penned by Lord Byron on his return trip to the island.
Adieu, ye joys of La Valletta!
Adieu, scirocco, sun and sweat!
Adieu, thou palace rarely entered!
Adieu, ye mansions where I've ventured!
Adieu, ye cursed streets of stairs!
(How surely he who mounts you swears!)
Apparently, Byron had little time for Malta and did not enjoy walking Valletta's numerous stair-lined streets. They are, however, very much a feature in my ongoing collection of Valletta street images.
Situated on a peninsula and flanked by two magnificent natural harbours. Valletta, with a landmass of just 0.55sq km, is Europe's smallest capital city. Founded in 1566 by Grandmaster Jean Parisot de la Valette, the hero of the Great Siege of 1565, when the Knights of the Order of St. John, together with the local inhabitants, fought off an Ottoman invasion force.
The Knights were conscious that their built environment was crucial for survival against further attacks, set about building a highly fortified city from the ground up. Based on a grid-like layout, with impressive bastions, Auberges (Palaces), and churches, the city has withstood the testament of time. In 1980 Valletta was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. And the construction of a new Parliament building and the transformation of City Gate by renowned architect Renzo Piano has added a much-needed contemporary touch to this lived-in city.
Photographically Valletta is imbued with textures of the past. And, at times, almost theatrically lit by the harsh Meditteranean light. The city is alive with locals going about their day-to-day routines and tourist visiting the numerous museums, cafes and restaurants. And capturing fleeting moments of this street theatre can sometimes be challenging, as photographic opportunities present themselves and disappear in the blink of an eye, and capturing these moments is the very essence of street photography.
Finally, I will quote a few lines from a poem entitled "Farewell to Malta", penned by Lord Byron on his return trip to the island.
Adieu, ye joys of La Valletta!
Adieu, scirocco, sun and sweat!
Adieu, thou palace rarely entered!
Adieu, ye mansions where I've ventured!
Adieu, ye cursed streets of stairs!
(How surely he who mounts you swears!)
Apparently, Byron had little time for Malta and did not enjoy walking Valletta's numerous stair-lined streets. They are, however, very much a feature in my ongoing collection of Valletta street images.
