Valletta, Malta Archbishop Michael Gonzi valletta anniversary
Leave your feedback
LEAVE YOUR FEEDBACK

Video ID: 1191

Submitting Feedback

Valletta marks a very special anniversary

Description

This colour footage from the archives shows special events in Valletta in 1966 to mark the city’s 400th anniversary.

The Archbishop of Malta Sir Michael Gonzi led the celebrations with a procession through the streets of the capital, ending at Fort St Elmo

A special service was held at the historic fort to give thanks for Valletta’s 400th birthday.

The foundation stone of Valletta was laid on March 28, 1566.

The building of the city was spread over many years. Although the first houses for the Knights were sufficiently advanced to be occupied when the Order took official residence in the city in 1571, the Auberges we know today were completed at a later date.Valletta was named after by Grand Master Fra Jean de la Vallette, who succeeded in defending the island from an Ottoman invasion during the Great Siege of Malta.

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 on Kingsway in 1942.

To this day, Valletta is noted for its fortifications, consisting of bastions, curtains and cavaliers, along with the beauty of its Baroque palaces, gardens and churches.

More places from Valletta

Malta pays tribute to Sir Winston Churchill
Valletta, Malta churchill in malta churchill death
This archive footage shows how Malta mourned the death of Sir Winston Churchill....
A new lease of life for a Valletta landmark
Valletta, Malta Anton Buttigieg mcc opening 1979
This archive footage shows some of the extensive restoration work carried out in...
Honouring Maltese social reformer Manwel Dimech
Valletta, Malta
This film from the archives shows the installation of a statue of Maltese social...
Valletta marks a very special anniversary
Valletta, Malta Archbishop Michael Gonzi valletta anniversary
This colour footage from the archives shows special events in Valletta in 1966 t...
The proud history of Fort St Elmo in Valletta
Valletta, Malta
Guarding Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour is Fort St Elmo, named after the patr...
Valletta prepares for Carnival in the 1950s
Valletta, Malta carnival in malta
Carnival in Malta falls right before Lent, usually at the end of February. The f...
Building one of Malta’s most iconic landmarks
Valletta, Malta
With its huge dome, the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is one of the most ...
Malta marks the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
Valletta, Malta Easter in Malta
The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, or ‘Jum id-Duluri’ has a special p...
State Opening of Malta’s Parliament in 1950s
Valletta, Malta George Borg Olivier opening of malta parliament
This amazing film from our archives shows the pomp and ceremony surrounding the ...
Malta celebrates the Coronation of King George V
Valletta, Malta King George V Coronation
This amazing archive footage shows a military parade in Valletta to mark the Cor...
What powers does the President of Malta have?
Valletta, Malta Agatha Barbara
The President of Malta is the island’s head of state. Presidents serve a f...
‘It was terrible’: How Malta survived the war
Valletta, Malta archive footage malta war
This extraordinary archive footage shows how people in Malta struggled during th...

Places Nearby

The real story behind the Malta riots in 1958
Birgu General Workers Union
The political arguments over the future of Malta degenerated into violence on Sa...
A look inside Valletta’s most magnificent building
Valletta, Malta Governor's Palace
Valletta’s most magnificent building dominates the heart of our capital ci...
Bikers without crash helmets on Malta’s garigue
Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq motorbike trials in malta
It seems almost unthinkable today. This footage from the PBS Archives shows comp...
Maltese TV meets the wives of Apollo 13
Gloria Mizzi
‘Houston, we’ve had a problem’ is the now famous phrase radioe...
A look back at Malta’s postal service in the 1970s
Malta
This fascinating film from our archives showcases the work of the Malta Post Off...
St John Paul II’s First Visit to Malta in 1990
The historic pastoral visit took place between May 25th and May 27th in the year...
Meet Malta’s best-known ballet dancer
Hamrun Tanya Bayona
Tanya Bayona is perhaps Malta’s best-known ballet dancer. Following her ea...
The Maltese Crib and Pasturi
Many people buy their commercial figurines ready-made for their Maltese Christma...
Exploring a First World War-era shipwreck off Malta
Malta
This exclusive underwater footage shows divers heading under the waves to explor...
Remembering a Maltese radio and TV legend
Charles Arrigo television malta
Charles Arrigo was one of Malta’s best-known broadcasters. His distinctive...
Three Maltese acting legends perform together
Gwardamanġa charles thake maltese television
This hilarious footage from the PBS archives shows three of Malta’s best-k...
A look back at Malta’s love of water polo
Malta
Water polo is one of the most popular sports in Malta. It was already a well-con...