Day Four: August 31st----Valetta-----Standing Guard!!
1565
In 1565 the Turkish armada against Malta had begun. Figures have it that about 550 Knights of Malta and about 7,500 combined Maltese and other troops were up against some 25,000 to as much as 48,000 Ottoman Turkish Invaders. The Maltese contingency was hopelessly outnumbered. The fortifications were strengthened but the one thing that the Knights needed was not coming any time soon. That was help from the other countries and their knights.
When the attack began, the battle turned into one of the bloodiest battles in history. Forts fell and many Maltese and Turks died. Approximately three Turks died for every Maltese. By the time it was over, Senglea and Birgu were leveled, the Turks lost from 25,000 to 30,000 while the Knights lost one third of their members (of about 600) and 9,000 Maltese died. The event lasted from four to five months then the Turks surprisingly left. The world breathe a sigh of relief and cheers could be heard from many countries. Elizabeth the First of England, Philip of Spain, Pope Pius IV, Voltaire and many other Kings and other nobles bestowed many funds onto the Island. They credited with saving the lands of Europe and pledged to help rebuild the island.
La Vallette decided to build a city on Mount Sceberras which was to be a virtually impregnable fort. He commissioned Francois Laparelli a famous engineer to draw up the plans and when he left he found Girolamo Cassar, another famous engineer to continue. The city was named Valletta in honour of La Vallette.
The first corner stone was laid in 1566 but La Vallette being so tired and worn from the constant stress died in 1568. Grand Master Pietro Del Monte was the next in line to attempt to finish building the city and he indeed did succeed in allowing private persons to buy land within the city. One of the rules was that the city needed to have "unencumbered streets' and no house was to have a garden.
The people of Malta had to wait until 1592 for any completion to arrive under Grand Master Hughes Loubens De Verdala. The City of Valletta was now official.
These days Valletta is a fully cosmopolitan city with all the sophistication of mainstream Europe. Anything and everything can be purchased here with one exception, the smiling faces and friendliness that one gets from the people is not for sale. It is free of charge. Greg and I went ahead to visit some very fine spots. One of them was the historic site, Casa Roca Piccola.
Casa Roca Piccola
We visited the Marquis de Piro who is a Knight of Malta at his 16 Century home in Valletta. This was originally the property of Don Pietro La Rocca and contains exquisite furniture and paintings and other items which the family had accumulated over the years. The story of the house is the story of not only this family but also of Malta starting with the historic and unusual garden in this home since as was mentioned, gardens were not allowed in the new Valletta and this home was built around that period. The rooms and articles are in pristine condition and we had the honour of having the Marquis himself give us a tour and interview.
Next on the agenda was a visit to the Malta Tourist Authority and its Segment Head, Mr. Donald Micallef. He was interviewed by Greg at the Upper Barraka and discussed Malta's tourist industry. The Upper Barraka was an oasis of a garden in a sea of heat and building. The constant breeze from the Mediterranean cut across its path cooling our very warm bodies as it was quite hot. The sights are not bad either since the Palm Trees and beautiful flowered gardens gave a luxurious look much in contrast to the constant white of the buildings around them. Greg was alerted to the Noon shooting of the cannon from the summit. Even though he was prepared for the bang while trying to film it being done, his hand still jerked at the startle of the loudness. We went for a a Pasta and Seafood lunch, and then were off to The Pub.
The Pub
The Pub has the dubious and interesting history of being actor Oliver Reed's main drinking squeeze and he is reputed to have put away many a brew and scotch in his day. One day, he took on the British Navy on a drinking venture. He won but it was a half victory since he past away shortly after. The pub has become famous because of this association and many Brits as well as other interested parties have come there to have a pint with Olly! So---we did too! Here's too you Olly! Have one for us wherever you are!
A trip to meet the organizers for the Qormi Wine Festival and then a trip to see the historic items at the Museum of Archeology competed this tour. However, there is much more to see in Valletta and we plan to return to visit many other areas.
In 1565 the Turkish armada against Malta had begun. Figures have it that about 550 Knights of Malta and about 7,500 combined Maltese and other troops were up against some 25,000 to as much as 48,000 Ottoman Turkish Invaders. The Maltese contingency was hopelessly outnumbered. The fortifications were strengthened but the one thing that the Knights needed was not coming any time soon. That was help from the other countries and their knights.
When the attack began, the battle turned into one of the bloodiest battles in history. Forts fell and many Maltese and Turks died. Approximately three Turks died for every Maltese. By the time it was over, Senglea and Birgu were leveled, the Turks lost from 25,000 to 30,000 while the Knights lost one third of their members (of about 600) and 9,000 Maltese died. The event lasted from four to five months then the Turks surprisingly left. The world breathe a sigh of relief and cheers could be heard from many countries. Elizabeth the First of England, Philip of Spain, Pope Pius IV, Voltaire and many other Kings and other nobles bestowed many funds onto the Island. They credited with saving the lands of Europe and pledged to help rebuild the island.
La Vallette decided to build a city on Mount Sceberras which was to be a virtually impregnable fort. He commissioned Francois Laparelli a famous engineer to draw up the plans and when he left he found Girolamo Cassar, another famous engineer to continue. The city was named Valletta in honour of La Vallette.
The first corner stone was laid in 1566 but La Vallette being so tired and worn from the constant stress died in 1568. Grand Master Pietro Del Monte was the next in line to attempt to finish building the city and he indeed did succeed in allowing private persons to buy land within the city. One of the rules was that the city needed to have "unencumbered streets' and no house was to have a garden.
The people of Malta had to wait until 1592 for any completion to arrive under Grand Master Hughes Loubens De Verdala. The City of Valletta was now official.
These days Valletta is a fully cosmopolitan city with all the sophistication of mainstream Europe. Anything and everything can be purchased here with one exception, the smiling faces and friendliness that one gets from the people is not for sale. It is free of charge. Greg and I went ahead to visit some very fine spots. One of them was the historic site, Casa Roca Piccola.
Casa Roca Piccola
We visited the Marquis de Piro who is a Knight of Malta at his 16 Century home in Valletta. This was originally the property of Don Pietro La Rocca and contains exquisite furniture and paintings and other items which the family had accumulated over the years. The story of the house is the story of not only this family but also of Malta starting with the historic and unusual garden in this home since as was mentioned, gardens were not allowed in the new Valletta and this home was built around that period. The rooms and articles are in pristine condition and we had the honour of having the Marquis himself give us a tour and interview.
Next on the agenda was a visit to the Malta Tourist Authority and its Segment Head, Mr. Donald Micallef. He was interviewed by Greg at the Upper Barraka and discussed Malta's tourist industry. The Upper Barraka was an oasis of a garden in a sea of heat and building. The constant breeze from the Mediterranean cut across its path cooling our very warm bodies as it was quite hot. The sights are not bad either since the Palm Trees and beautiful flowered gardens gave a luxurious look much in contrast to the constant white of the buildings around them. Greg was alerted to the Noon shooting of the cannon from the summit. Even though he was prepared for the bang while trying to film it being done, his hand still jerked at the startle of the loudness. We went for a a Pasta and Seafood lunch, and then were off to The Pub.
The Pub
The Pub has the dubious and interesting history of being actor Oliver Reed's main drinking squeeze and he is reputed to have put away many a brew and scotch in his day. One day, he took on the British Navy on a drinking venture. He won but it was a half victory since he past away shortly after. The pub has become famous because of this association and many Brits as well as other interested parties have come there to have a pint with Olly! So---we did too! Here's too you Olly! Have one for us wherever you are!
A trip to meet the organizers for the Qormi Wine Festival and then a trip to see the historic items at the Museum of Archeology competed this tour. However, there is much more to see in Valletta and we plan to return to visit many other areas.
posted by Chuck Byers - Wine Consultant | 11:21 AM
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