Underground Valetta

In the past, the tunnels beneath Valletta were utilized by military troops as escape routes and as storage for grains during the reign of the Knights of St John. Furthermore, a public cistern dating back to the 16th century can be found beneath Great Siege Square in Republic Street, which was built to address the city’s water shortage issue. The tunnels also served as a refuge during the Second World War when over 15,000 bombs were dropped on the Maltese Islands, accommodating approximately 38,000 people seeking shelter from air raids. Today, visitors can still see carved crosses and saints on the walls of some underground rooms, while others display colourful tiles saved from bombed houses in the city.