Valletta, The Fortress City, Citta' Umilissima, "a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen" Malta's capital city, a living, working city, the administrative and commercial heart of the Islands. Valletta is named after its founder, the respected Grand Master of the Order of St. John, Jean Parisot de le Valette. The magnificient fortress city grew on the arid rock of Mount Sciberras peninsula, which rises steeply from two deep harbours, Marsamxett and Grand Harbour. Started in 1566, Valletta was completed, with its impressive bastions, forts and cathedral, in the astonishingly short time 15 years. Ruled successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Bzantines Arabs and the Order of St. John. It is one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world.