Upper Barracca Gardens, Public park in Valletta, Malta
This public park sits on the highest point of Valletta's fortifications and offers sweeping views of the Grand Harbour, the Three Cities, and the surrounding coastline from its terraced arches and walkways.
Originally constructed in 1661 as a private garden for the Italian knights of the Order of Saint John, the gardens opened to the public in 1800 after Malta's liberation from French occupation.
The park hosts daily cannon salutes at noon performed by the Malta Heritage Society in traditional British Artillery uniforms, commemorating the site's military history and drawing crowds of visitors each day.
The gardens are open daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM and can be accessed via the Barrakka Lift or on foot, with wheelchair accessibility ensuring visitors of all abilities can explore the site comfortably.
The terraced arches designed by Italian knight Fra Flaminio Balbiani once featured a roof that was removed in 1775 following the Rising of the Priests, leaving the open colonnades visible today.
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