Stunning! These 18 timeless photos of Valletta prove Malta's capital is a heart-breaker

It is over 450 years old, yet Valletta, Malta's distinguished capital built by the Knights of Malta, remains timeless through the ages. While activity in the city streets may have changed somewhat, the walled city still exudes an air of enduring immortality.

It would seem that whether it's the year 1565, 1812 or 2019 makes little difference: the stones remain silent in the shadows of the night and speak volumes of the human story abiding within a city that's a bridge between sea and sky. These authentic, local, timeless photos of Valletta reveal some of that human story; the story of a city built 'by gentlemen for gentlemen'.

1. Picture perfect

This photo of the Renaissance city looks more like a painting!

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A post shared by Stephan (@stephangrixti) on Feb 4, 2019 at 4:44am PST

2. Eat, pray, love

Taste indulgence, find your soul and feel the romance in the city.

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A post shared by TravelPixelz (@travelpixelz) on Apr 7, 2019 at 10:17am PDT

3. All roads lead to...

No, not Rome. In the case of Valletta, all roads lead to the sea.

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A post shared by Carmen Lukács (@catmela) on Oct 12, 2018 at 11:23am PDT

4. Valletta character

Wooden balconies, vintage shop signs and cobbled streets with armour-friendly steps are just some of it.

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A post shared by L E N I (@lenuslenix) on Mar 22, 2018 at 12:23pm PDT

5. The detail

Not sure what's more captivating: the weathered wall, the shop sign, the garage door, the Yucca plant or what? 

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A post shared by Oravecz Aniko (@anikoravecz) on Oct 25, 2017 at 2:17pm PDT

6. The contrasts

And how about up-to-date artistic designs advertised on a sign that's at least five decades old?

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A post shared by bronagh kennedy (@bronaghckennedy) on Oct 9, 2018 at 5:17am PDT

7. The variety

Same same but different... with all that can be found in Valletta's nooks and crannies, no wonder it enchants its visitors.

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A post shared by John French Bray (@smallcirclesphotography) on Aug 21, 2018 at 11:29am PDT

8. Which year is it?

Is this really almost 2020 or was that phone box a cousin of Dr Who's time machine that got me accidentally stranded in another era?

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A post shared by Sean Milburn (@sean_milburn) on Dec 14, 2018 at 7:49am PST

9. Oh yes!

It's the time machine!

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A post shared by Cavendish School of English (@cavendish_school) on Jan 13, 2019 at 3:04am PST

10. Characteristic features

You may get lost in time but you recognise Valletta when you see it. One characteristic is definitely the long, narrow, sloping streets.

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A post shared by patbugeja (@patbugeja) on Nov 19, 2018 at 2:29pm PST

11. More of those...

Al fresco tables and chairs, potted plants, chapels and men whiling time away are all part of the status quo of Valletta.

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A post shared by Giacomo Muscat (@therealmaltatours) on Feb 16, 2019 at 1:28am PST

12. The architecture

The narrow stepped streets, decorative architecture, niches with saints, bridges and arches are only part of it.

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A post shared by 🇲🇹 Malta Tour (@maltatour) on Feb 9, 2018 at 9:03am PST

13. The stepped streets

Fun fact: the shallow steps were designed to prevent men in suits of armour breaking too much of a sweat.

Written by

Melanie Drury

Melanie was born and raised in Malta and has spent a large chunk of her life travelling solo around the world. Back on the island with a new outlook, she realised just how much wealth her little island home possesses.