Whatever you do in Malta, do not miss the Upper Barrakka Gardens located at the highest point on Valletta’s bastions to enjoy the Barrakka’s breath-taking view of the only natural harbour in the Mediterranean. With the Three Cities as its backdrop, this harbour has dictated Malta’s history since history began.
The Upper Barrakka gardens were built in 1661 as private gardens and exercise grounds for the Knights of St John. The arcades at the end of the garden were originally roofed over but after the Priests’ Revolt in 1775, the Grand Master had thought that the conspirators used these shady corners for meeting, and had the ceiling removed. The Maltese public could only enter the Upper when the French occupation ended in 1800.
The first feature as you enter is a large fountain surrounded by colourful flowers in the centre of the garden. Beyond it stands a sculpture of Lord Gerald Strickland, former prime minister of Malta (1924 – 1932) by Antonio Sciortino, the famous Maltese sculptor.
On the left of the gardens a bust of Winston Churchill by Vincent Apap stands on the spot that he himself chose. Nearby, stop to admire the touching bronze group called ‘Les Gavroches’, showing a young boy in tattered clothing, leading two younger ragged children by the hand, depicting misery at the turn of the twentieth century. The original is to be found in the Museum of Fine Arts.
The tomb-memorial is to ‘King Tom’- Sir Thomas Maitland (the notorious first British Colonial Governor of Malta) and plaques on the wall commemorate wartime heroes who lost thier lives in battle. Another plaque honours the successful Operation Pedestal: “B’Tifkira tal-Konvoj ta’ Santa Marija fit-18 ta’ Awwissu 1942, li tant għen lill-Maltin u l-Ingliżi fil-Ġlieda tagħhom kontra n-Nażiżmu u l-Faxxiżmu” meaning: In memory of the Santa Maria Convoy that reached Malta on 18th August 1942, which so helped the Maltese and the British in their struggle against Nazism and Fascism”
The back terrace facing the beautiful panoramic view on the Grand Harbour overlooks the Saluting Battery, now a ceremonial platform where you can watch the noon-time military salute.
Finally, one of the 2 entrances of the gardens is a lift that links the Grand Harbour and cruise berths to the gardens and Valetta, as well as taking one from Valletta across to the Three Cities. This lift is 58m high and can carry 800 persons per hour.
You don’t need to take a tour to visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens, just do as the Maltese do, drop in, unwind, stop for a coffee and a ‘pastizz‘, enjoy the breeze and the wonderful view, and leave with your soul refreshed, your spirits high, and an extra calorie or two!
Nearby Attractions:
– Auberge the Castille: The Prime Minister’s Office
– Malta Stock Exchange: Right by the gardens (formerly the Garrison Chapel built 1855-1857 to serve the British stationed in Malta).
– The James Cavalier Creativity Centre: The fortification converted to art exhibition space, in front of the Auberge de Castille.
– MUZA Fine Arts Museum
– The Central Bank of Malta
Opening hours: 07:00 to 22:00
Entrance Fee : Free
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