Valletta Local Customs

The Three Cities is name which is given to the three fortified cities of Cospicua (Bormla), Vittoriosa (Birgu), and Senglea (Isla) on the Island of Malta, right opposite La Valletta, across the waters of the Grand hrabour. They are enclosed by thefortification created by the Knights of St John, these fortifications are known as the Cottonera Lines. Before La Valletta was built, these cities were the political centre of Malta.

A lazy way to catch a glimpse of the three cities from the sea is by taking the 90 minutes harbor cruise offered by several tour operators in Sliema.

2 more images

February is carnival month in Malta. Beautiful coloured floats and equally colourful people emerge onto the streets of Valletta. As well as the people involved in the parades. All the children, and some adults, also wear beautiful costumes and outfits.

In the olden times, there was a curious law that stated that anyone who possessed a residence in the corner of the street had to adorn it with a religious statue or small shrine. These can still be seen nowadays, and are a constant reminder of how deeply religious the maltese people are (or at least were!)

Well, riding on a karozzin is surely a traditional thing to do ... but it is a bit overpriced in my opinion and Valletta is small enough to explore on foot anyway. The horses are sometimes ill-treated too, poor things are left in the sun all day long in summer.

But anyway, it is in the Maltese tradition - and at least watching out for and getting a pic of a karozzin is worthwhile.

1 more image

Another traditional thing to look out for are the traditional Maltese balconies ... there are lots of them around in Valletta. Some of them are nice, but some, like the one in the second picture ... well ... are left to suffer like the state of the roads :-) Nevertheless, old or crumbling they are still quite charming.

Valletta is the place where to look for traditional little things, such as door knockers - there are many different ones around, and they are used in a way to make the doors unique. Here is one that caught my eye ....

Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text

Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text Awaiting Text