Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta, Malta

The Upper Barrakka Gardens is a public garden in La Valletta, twinned with the Lower Barrakka Gardens, which offers a magnificent view of the Grand Harbour, Sanglea and Vittoriosa. The garden dates back to 1661 when it used to be a private garden of the knights.  It opened to the public 150 years later.

Opening hours: 7 am to 10 pm
Entrance free

Back to Valletta







Local: Floriana, Malta

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

National Tile Museum, Lisbon, Portugal

Image
The National Tile Museum is located in the Monastery of Madre Deus, founded in 1509 by Queen D. Leonor. The monastery was enlarged, by order of King John III, during the 16th century. In the 17th century it was renovated; the first tiles and gilded wood date from this period. It was further decorated during the reign of King John V, in the first half of the 17th century, when Portugal was prospering with the gold sent from Brazil. However, the great earthquake of 1755 caused some destruction and the monument had to be restored. In 1834 the religious orders were extinct in Portugal and later in the century, there were plans to convert the monastery into an asylum. Tiles started being brought in for the decoration but they ended up just being stored. At the beginning of the 20th century many monuments, including the Monastery of Madre Deus, were put under the tutelage of the National Museum of Ancient Art. In the mid-century, an exhibition was organised to celebrate the 500th annive...
Read more

Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade (Our Lady of Piety), Loulé, Portugal

Image
The old chapel of Our Lady of Piety dates back to the 18th century and was built to replace a previous chapel destroyed by the Great Earthquake of 1755. The statue of the patron saint is from the 17th century. The new chapel, standing right beside the old one, was inaugurated in 1995.  The centuries-old cult of the Sovereign Mother reaches its peak on the second Sunday after Easter, when a group of man carry the effigy back up the steep path to the chapel. It is brought down from the hill to the city on Easter Sunday. Opening hours : Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 17:00 (Winter) 18:00 (Summer) Entrance free
Read more

Grote Markt, Antwerp

Image
The land where the Grote Markt stands was donated to the city in 1220 by Duke Henry I of Brabant. Soon after the first annual markets, also known as the Brabant Fairs, were organised. At the end of the 15th centuryAntwerp became the most prominent city of the Low Countries, with merchants arriving from England, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Northern German Hanseatic cities. The centrepiece of the square is a large fountain, known as the Brabo Fountain. It was built in 1887 and according to legend, Brabo was a local hero who killed the giant Antigoon and cut off his head and hands. The giant was demanding a high toll to each ship that wanted to enter the city. The square is surrounded by 16th-century Guildhalls, restaurants and cafes. In Winter it hosts the Christmas Market and an ice rink.
Read more

Hersonissos Roman Fountain, Greece

Image
The Roman Fountain of Hersonissos can be found on the seafront, in the middle of shops and tavernas. It has the shape of a pyramid and is covered by mosaics depicting maritime motifs, such as fishermen, boats, sea serpents, squids, ducks and fish. The fountain dates from the 4th century, when Hersonissos was an important Roman harbour, and is one of the many Roman remains that can be found in the area, many of which, unfortunately, cannot be visited.
Read more