Podcasts · The Story of Malta: The Fortress Island of the Mediterranean — Fexingo History
Building Valletta: The City That Rose From a Siege
· 6:34 · S4 E181
Episode Building Valletta: The City That Rose From a Siege
After the Great Siege of 1565, Grand Master Jean de Valette made a bold decision: leave the cramped fortifications of Birgu and build a brand-new city on the barren peninsula of Mount Sciberras. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the founding of Valletta in 1566, the role of Italian engineer Francesco Laparelli, the Maltese architect Girolamo Cassar who brought the plans to life, and the immense labour—including thousands of slaves and paid workers—that carved a fortress city out of solid rock. They discuss the innovative grid layout, the advanced water and sewage systems, the construction of St. John's Co-Cathedral and the Grand Master's Palace, and how Valletta became one of the world's best-preserved fortified cities. Along the way, a natural sidestep into listener support keeps the show ad-free. Episode 181 of The Story of Malta.
#Valletta #FrancescoLaparelli #GirolamoCassar #KnightsOfStJohn #MaltaHistory #FortressCity #1566 #ConstructionHistory #BaroqueArchitecture #Slavery #MilitaryEngineering #UNESCO #Mediterranean #FexingoHistory #History #SiegeOfMalta #StJohnsCoCathedral #GrandMastersPalace
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Transcript
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