The history of Valletta is emblematic to the enduring spirit of the greater island nation of Malta. The city’s origins trace back to a time when the Mediterranean Sea was a tumultuous battleground between European monarchs and the Ottoman Empire. Among the most notable combatants was a religious order known as the “Knights of St. John,” which had been granted Malta by Emperor Charles V of Spain during the early 16th century. Charged to fight against the Ottomans, the Knights subsequently used Malta as a base for their military operations in the Middle East. After decades of intense warfare, the Ottoman Empire eventually marshalled a massive fleet to attack the island in 1565. The Ottomans went on to besiege Malta for four months, exacting a heavy toll on the Knights’ garrison. But thanks to the leadership of Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette, the Knights repelled the impressive invasion force that September. The siege was a turning point for Malta though, highlighting the need for a fortified city that could withstand any future attacks. Construction thus began on Valletta roughly a year later, with Italian military engineer Francesco Laparelli overseeing its development. Laparelli’s municipal designs were revolutionary, featuring a grid layout with wide, straight streets that allowed for the efficient movement of troops and materials. Furthermore, Laparelli had built the city upon the Sciberras Peninsula, a landmass that loomed over two strategically significant bodies of water—the “Grand Harbour” and “Marsamxett Harbour.”  

 Valletta’s construction proved to be a monumental task, involving the labor of thousands of workers from across Europe. A ring of mighty bastions and walls enclosed the city, which Laparelli had crafted to resist even the toughest siege engines. Laparelli’s assistant—the Maltese architect Gerolamo Cassar—specifically supervised the creation of many of Valletta’s iconic buildings as well, like the Sacra Infermeria, St. John’s Co-Cathedral, and the Grandmaster’s Palace for the Knights of St. John. Valletta went on to become a thriving hub of culture upon its completion, attracting all kinds of talented artists and scholars. But the community reinforced the prestige of the Knights, too, as best epitomized by their stewardship of St. John’s Co-Cathedral and its opulent Baroque interior. Valletta’s military importance continued to grow over the centuries, eventually functioning as a key naval base for the British following their capture of the island amid the Napoleonic Wars. The British reinforced the city’s ancient fortifications, making it a crucial stronghold within their burgeoning global dominion. However, those impressive defenses were put to the test when Axis air squadrons heavily bombed the city during World War II. Despite the destruction Valletta endured, the community nonetheless survived thanks to the strength of Laparelli’s ingenious embattlements.   

 Valletta underwent extensive reconstruction and modernization after the war, evolving into one of Europe’s most preeminent metropolises. The city had also assumed the mantle as Malta’s official capital, in the wake of the island’s independence in 1964. In recent years, the city has experienced a cultural renaissance that has seen its extensive heritage well protected. For instance, an extensive preservation management plan has spawned numerous restoration projects, with dozens of historic structures renovated to resemble their original appearances. Community leaders have created a special buffer zone around Valletta’s city center, thus safeguarding the area from any forms of contemporary development. Now a cherished UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valletta stands as a living memory to Malta’s fascinating history. From the grandeur of St. John’s Co-Cathedral to the bustling markets and cafes, Valletta is a city where the past and present coexist harmoniously. Valletta’s history is not just a chronicle of events though—its heritage is a story of both conflict and creativity, as well as resilience and renewal. Whenever visitors walk through its streets, they will wind up exploring a special community where its history can be felt every step of the way. 

When William Binnie began designing The Phoenicia Malta, he used Art Deco architecture as his main source of inspiration. Art Deco architecture is among the most famous architectural styles in the world today. The form originally emerged from a desire among architects to break with past precedents to find architectural inspiration from historical examples. Professionals within the field instead aspired to forge their own design principles, hoping that their ideas would better reflect the technological advances of the modern age. Historians thus consider Art Deco to be a part of the much wider proliferation of cultural “Modernism” that first appeared at the dawn of the 20th century. Art Deco as a style first became popular in 1922, when Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen submitted the first blueprints to feature the form at a contest to redevelop the headquarters of the Chicago Tribune. While his concepts did not win over the judges, they were widely publicized, nonetheless. Architects in both North America and Europe soon raced to copy his format, giving birth to modern Art Deco architecture. The international embrace of Art Deco had risen so quickly that it was the central theme of the renowned Exposition des Art Decoratifs in Paris a few years later. Architects the world over fell in love with Art Deco’s sleek, linear appearance defined by a series of sharp setbacks. They also adored its geometric decorations that featured motifs like chevrons and zigzags. But despite the deep admiration people felt toward Art Deco, interest in the style gradually dissipated throughout the mid-20th century. However, many examples of Art Deco architecture still survive in the present, with some of the best located in major European cities like London, Paris, and Berlin.

Siege of Malta (1940 – 1942): Malta’s position in the central Mediterranean Sea had long made it a key asset for the British Empire, especially during World War II. Indeed, Valletta—with its Grand Harbour—provided a refuge for the various Allied convoys launched under the protection of the powerful Royal Navy. But the British could also send out naval task forces capable of harassing the important Axis shipping lanes sustaining German General Erwin Rommel’s army in North Africa. Recognizing Malta’s strategic importance, the Axis powers proceeded to conduct a prolonged aerial bombing campaign that sought to bring the island into submission. The first major air raids on Valletta occurred a day after Italy declared war on Great Britain in 1940, with Italian bombers of the Regia Aeronautica immediately flying numerous sorties over the city. Unable to break the city’s defenses, the German Luftwaffe joined the Regia Aeronautica the following winter. A near constant bombardment subsequently ensued, resulting in the widespread destruction of Valletta’s historic neighborhoods. But perhaps the worst attack occurred when the Axis coordinated a series of devastating strikes around Valletta’s Grand Harbour in early 1942. Many structures endured incredible damage as a result, including significant portions of the incomplete Hotel Phoenicia.  

In the end, Valletta survived over 3,000 bombing raids, with approximately 6,700 tons dropped onto the Grand Harbour area alone! Nevertheless, the people of Valletta (and Malta as a whole) showed remarkable resilience throughout the siege. Despite the constant threat of air raids, countless residents continued their daily lives as best they could. In fact, the Maltese created an extensive network of underground shelters to protect themselves, which became second homes in many cases. Perhaps the most notable example of this construction was the Lascaris War Rooms—an engineering masterpiece that went on to serve as the headquarters for the local Allied military forces. The bravery and endurance of the Maltese people did not go unnoticed. In April of 1942, King George VI of the United Kingdom awarded the George Cross to the entire island of Malta in honor of the heroism demonstrated by its population. (The George Cross has since remained a symbol of Malta’s identity, appearing on various cultural representations like its national flag.) Valletta’s experiences during World War II are a testament to its perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds.       

Alec Guinness, actor known for his roles in films: The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, and Star Wars. 

Jeffrey Hunter, actor known for his roles in films: The Searchers and King of Kings.   

Oliver Reed, actor known for his roles in films: The Devils, Oliver! and Gladiator.  

Edwina Mountbatten, The Countess Mountbatten of Burma.  

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1952 – 2021) 

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (1952 – 2022) 

Remington Steele (1982) 
Mix Up in the Mediterranean (2021) 
To Catch a Spy (2021)
The Dancing Detective (2023) 

Lady Margaret Strickland: The Phoenicia Malta owes its beginnings to – Lady Margaret Strickland – a significant figure in Malta’s history as the second wife of Lord Gerald Strickland, the fourth Prime Minister of Malta between 1927 and 1932. Besides being known for her connection with her husband and her father, Sir Edward Hulton, a hugely successful British newspaper proprietor, Lady Strickland provided instrumental support in the foundation of St Edward’s College, the Boy Scout and Girl Guide movements, and the Malta Memorial District Nursing Association. She initiated The Phoenicia Malta in the 1930s, calling in renowned Scottish architect William Binnie to undertake the design. The Phoenicia Malta’s award-winning sustainable restaurant, Contessa, is a fitting tribute to Countess Strickland.