Valletta is the capital city of Malta. Located in the south east of the island, between Marsamxett Harbour to the west and the Grand Harbour to the east. It is the southernmost capital of Europe.
Valletta's 16th century buildings were constructed by the Knights Hospitaller. The city is Baroque in character, with elements of Mannerist, Neo-Classical and Modern architecture, though the Second World War left major scars on the city, particularly the destruction of the Royal Opera House.
The city's fortifications, consisting of bastions, curtains and cavaliers, along with the beauty of its Baroque palaces, gardens and churches, led the ruling houses of Europe to give the city its nickname Superbissima - Italian for Most Proud.
Here below is a rare and fabulous photo collection from Frank Lea-Ellis that shows everyday life of Valletta, Malta in the 19th century.
Valletta's 16th century buildings were constructed by the Knights Hospitaller. The city is Baroque in character, with elements of Mannerist, Neo-Classical and Modern architecture, though the Second World War left major scars on the city, particularly the destruction of the Royal Opera House.
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| Valletta, Malta in the 19th century |
The city's fortifications, consisting of bastions, curtains and cavaliers, along with the beauty of its Baroque palaces, gardens and churches, led the ruling houses of Europe to give the city its nickname Superbissima - Italian for Most Proud.
Here below is a rare and fabulous photo collection from Frank Lea-Ellis that shows everyday life of Valletta, Malta in the 19th century.
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| Strada Britannica, Valletta, Malta, circa late 1840s. Possibly one of the earliest street photographs taken in Malta |
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| Valletta showing Upper Barrakka in the background before Fort Lascaris was built, 1948 |
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| Auberge de Castille, Valletta, Malta, 1854 |
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| Marsamscetto Valletta Malta showing the spire of St. Paul's Anglican cathedral, 1854 |
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| Valletta street scene in Malta, circa 1854 |
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| Kingsway, Valletta, Malta, 1859. Pre Opera House and pre Buttigieg Francia building |
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| Grand Harbour at Valletta with Marina Gate at lower left circa 1860s |
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| Ponsomby's column on St.Andrew's bastion, Valletta, circa 1860 |
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| Valletta rooftops with Fort Ricasoli in the background, circa 1860s |
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| HMS Neptune at Grand Harbour, Malta, 1862 |
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| Main Guard, Valletta, Malta, 1865 |
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| Marina Gate, Valletta, Malta, 1865 |
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| St. George's Square Valletta , British Army Bands, 1868 |
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| British troop ship in Grand Harbour, Malta, circa 1870s |
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| Grand Harbour Malta with Liesse Church , Fish Market & Fort Lascaris in foreground, circa 1870s |
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| Grand Harbour, Malta, circa 1870s |
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| Grand Harbour, Malta, circa 1870s |
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| Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta, circa 1870s |
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| Liesse Hill Street & Grand Harbour, circa 1870s |
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| Main Guard, Valletta, Malta, 1870 |
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| Marsamscetto Curtain, Valletta, Malta, 1870 |
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| St. John Co-cathedral, Valletta, Malta, circa 1870s |
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| St. Michael's bastion, Valletta, Malta, circa 1870s |
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| Strada Forni, Valletta, Malta, circa 1870s. House on the left belonged to Sir Adrian Dingli |
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| Strada Reale by North Street, Valletta, Malta, 1870 |
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| Strada Santa Lucia, Valletta, Malta, circa 1870s |
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| Valletta port scene, circa 1870s |
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| Valletta port scene, circa 1870s |
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| Valletta rooftops and Grand Harbour, circa 1870s |
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| Valletta street scenes, Malta, circa early 1870s |
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| King's Gate or Porta Reale, Valletta, Malta, 1871 |
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| Lower Barakka Garden, Valletta, Malta in 1871 |
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| Royal Opera House in Valletta, Malta, a year or so before the fire of 1873 |
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| Grand Harbour Malta with Floriana at background right side, 1875 |
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| Kingsway, Valletta, Malta, 1875 |
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| St. Ursula Street, Valletta, Malta in 1875 |
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| Old Bakery Street, Valletta, Malta in 1876 |
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| Strada Teatro, Valletta, Malta, 1876 |
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| Kingsway, Valletta, Malta, 1878 |
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| Old Bakery Street, Valletta, Malta, 1879 |
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| St John Street, Valletta, Malta in 1879 |
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| Grand Harbour in Valletta with Floriana in background, circa 1880s |
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| Marsamscetto and Valletta rooftops, Malta, 1880 |
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| St. John Street, Valletta, Malta, circa 1880 |
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| Steamship at Valletta harbour, Malta, circa 1880 |
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| Strada Teatro, Valletta, Malta, 1880s |
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| Telegraph Company at 6&7 Marsamscetto Road, Valletta, Malta, circa 1880s |
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| St. John Street, Valletta, Malta, 1881 |
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| St. Lucia Street, Valletta, Malta, 1881 |
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| Strada Reale, Valletta, Malta, 1883 |
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| Marina Gate Demolition, Valletta, Malta, April 1884 |
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| Kingsway, Valletta, Malta in 1888 |
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| St. George's Square, Valletta, Malta, 1898 |
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| Kingsway, Valletta, Malta, circa 1890s |
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| Main Guard with British Troops on St. George's Square, Valletta in 1899 |
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| Malta Railway, 1890s |
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| Marsamscetto, Valletta, Malta in 1899 |
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| Marsamscetto, Valletta, Malta, circa 1890s |
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| Naval band march down East street in Valletta, Malta, circa 1890s |
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| Strada Reale, Valletta, Malta, circa 1890s |
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| The Victoria Gate, Valletta, Malta, circa 1890s |
