Is our capital city worthy of being nominated and designated a culture capital of Europe? The answer is definitively and unequivocally in the affirmative.
The first and foremost distinctive asset that lays claim to this title emerges from the stupendous city layout designed for a particularly difficult and challenging terrain.
Notwithstanding the problems, physical obstacles and limitations it is clearly evident that Valletta has proven a supreme triumph of city planning. Especially so when compared to similar European cities which were almost all generally designed to be built on flat and relatively level ground with hardly any physical obstacles or site impediments challenging the design.
Valletta’s urban planners were undoubtedly highly gifted masters and professionals, expert at how to handle and exploit difficult and almost insuperable contours – not only to the maximum advantage for defence purposes but also equally so for creating an impressive and attractive aesthetic appearance.
Ironically, it is the multiple physical problems inherent in the peninsula itself, necessitating the building of massive surrounding bastions and walls that impart to Valletta its distinctive character and superb charm.
The most exquisite panorama Valletta can boast of is the fantastic view of its magnificent harbour with Fort St Angelo and Senglea point dominating and punctuating its skyline when observed from a high location like the Upper Barrakka.
Very few, if any, harbours anywhere can offer the twin advantages of a striking port panorama and a natural sheltered anchorage so much valued both by cruise liners as their port of call and by yachts and crafts choosing the harbour as their preferred home of stay.
Another singular magnetic attraction offered by the city is its remarkable extensive collection of refined and stupendous samples of architecture gracing virtually every street and alley.
This magnificent, beautiful picture is now being further enhanced by the redesign of the approach, access, and new buildings – products of the world-renowned architect Renzo Piano.
After Valletta will have been cleared and cleaned of all the material accumulated during its facelift, it will surely present a striking spectacle way above what a culture capital city of Europe is expected to look like.
It should also experience, as a result, a flood of tourists eager to visit and experience the incantations and beauty offered by a city that never ages. A city that remarkably retains its youth and smart appearance as when it was conceived and christened hundreds of years back during the Order’s golden creative period of their stay in Malta which they established as their dearest home.
All those interested in religious architecture could enjoy unforgettable field days visiting and admiring the wide spectrum of church architecture Valletta has to offer but especially the most glorious of all, St John’s Cathedral, one of the greatest and most impressive gems in Christendom.
There exists more than ample rich cultural material in Valletta to justify its recognition as one of the accepted capital centres of western civilisation.