Barrakka Lift, Vertical transport system in Valletta, Malta
The Barrakka Lift is a modern elevator in Valletta that connects the harbor area below with the upper level of the city, carrying people quickly between the two zones. The structure features visible concrete and aluminum mesh, providing direct access to the gardens and historic sites above.
A lift has occupied this location since 1905, originally saving people the steep climb, though it closed in 1973 and was later demolished. The current one was completely rebuilt in 2012 using modern technology to replace the older structure.
The lift bridges the busy harbor below with the quiet gardens above, serving both locals and visitors as a daily shortcut between two very different parts of the city.
The lift operates daily and the journey takes only seconds, making brief visits possible. Each of the two cabins holds about 20 people, so waiting lines tend to be short.
The lift runs straight up through the massive city wall itself, placing riders right beside the fortified outer edge. This placement shows how cleverly the modern structure was fitted into the old fortress design.
Location: Valletta
Official opening: December 15, 2012
Height: 58 m
GPS coordinates: 35.89444,14.51194
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41
Malta contains numerous historical sites and natural landscapes away from the main tourist areas. The islands hold prehistoric temple complexes such as Skorba and Ta' Ħaġrat near Mġarr, Roman remains including the Roman Villa at Żejtun and ancient bath sites, and Ghar Dalam, a cave with Ice Age fossil deposits. The geological diversity appears at locations like Il-Maqluba, a natural sinkhole crater, and the Blue Grotto near Żurrieq, while coastal fortifications such as Mistra Battery and the Red Tower document the island's defensive heritage. Religious sites mark the rural areas, including the Chapel of Santa Marija Tal-Virtu in Rabat and the chapels of Qrendi. The Buskett Gardens and San Anton Gardens provide green spaces with historical significance, while Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park protects coastal habitats. Archaeological complexes like Tas-Silġ show layers of Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine settlement. The Victoria Lines near Rabat, an 18th-century defensive wall, and Fort Binġemma demonstrate military architecture from different periods. Gozo adds locations such as Mgarr ix-Xini, a sheltered inlet, and Il-Qolla l-Bajda Battery.
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