Saluting Battery

Historic Site in Valletta

Directly below the Upper Barrakka Gardens lies the Saluting Battery, one of Valletta's most distinctive and enduring traditions. Dating back to the 16th century, the battery was originally constructed by the Knights of St. John as part of the city's defenses. Over the centuries, it evolved from a military installation into a ceremonial platform used to greet visiting ships and mark important occasions with cannon fire — a practice that continues today.

The Saluting Battery's daily cannon firing is one of the city's most popular spectacles. Each day at noon and 4 p.m., uniformed gun crews from the Heritage Malta foundation perform a precisely timed ceremony, loading and firing the historic cannons over the Grand Harbour. The boom echoes across the water, delighting crowds who gather on the terrace above and the waterfront below to witness the event. It's a moment that beautifully connects Valletta's living culture with its maritime past.

Visitors can also tour the battery's underground chambers and exhibition areas, which showcase the history and operation of the site. The displays include preserved artillery pieces, ammunition stores, and interpretive exhibits explaining the saluting tradition's evolution from the era of the Knights to British rule and beyond. Guided tours provide deeper insight into both the technical and ceremonial sides of this iconic landmark.

The Saluting Battery is more than a historical attraction — it's an experience that embodies Valletta's personality: proud, dramatic, and deeply tied to the sea. Watching the cannon fire with the Grand Harbour as a backdrop is an unforgettable moment for anyone visiting Malta's capital, blending history, sound, and spectacle in a uniquely Maltese way.

The Saluting Battery appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Valletta!

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