St. John's Cavalier, Military fortification in Valletta, Malta
St. John's Cavalier is a pentagonal artillery platform with casemates built in the 16th century to defend against land-based attacks from elevated positions. The structure overlooks Valletta's entrance through its raised design and thick walls, which still offer impressive views across the fortified city today.
The Order of Saint John commissioned this defensive structure in the 16th century with Francesco Laparelli as designer and Girolamo Cassar overseeing construction. It formed part of a wider strategy to fortify the newly founded city against threats from both sea and land.
Today the site serves as an embassy for the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, keeping alive the connection to the knights who originally built it. This use ties the physical space directly to the religious and military heritage that shaped the island.
The site sits at Valletta's entrance and has undergone extensive restoration that preserved its original architectural features. Visitors should expect stairs and narrow passages, and wear sturdy shoes since the location is elevated and exposed to the wind.
Of the nine cavaliers originally planned for Valletta's defense system, only two were completed, and this is one of them. The unfinished structures have since disappeared or remain hidden beneath the surface, making this fully built version remarkable.
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