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Saluting Battery: Valletta's Historic Gun Salute
Experience centuries of history with spectacular Grand Harbour views at Valletta's Saluting Battery. Witness daily gun salutes!
The Saluting Battery in Valletta, Malta, is a historic artillery battery built in the 16th century by the Order of Saint John. Overlooking the Grand Harbour, it's one of the oldest saluting batteries still in operation, offering stunning views and a glimpse into Malta's military past.
Plan your visit
A brief summary to Saluting Battery
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
Saluting Battery Battery Street, Valletta, VLT 1221, MT
Monday
10 am-5 pm
Tuesday
10 am-5 pm
Wednesday
10 am-5 pm
Thursday
10 am-5 pm
Friday
10 am-5 pm
Saturday
10 am-5 pm
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Getting There
Walking
From Valletta City Gate, walk along Republic Street towards the city center. Turn right onto Merchants Street, then left onto Battery Street. Continue straight; the Saluting Battery will be on your right, below the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Alternatively, enter the Upper Barrakka Gardens from Castille Place and take the stairs down to the battery. Admission is €6 for adults and €3 for children.
Public Transport
Take any bus to the Valletta Bus Terminus. From the terminus, walk towards the city gate and follow the walking directions via Republic Street, Merchants Street and Battery Street. Alternatively, from the bus terminus, walk to the Upper Barrakka Gardens via Castille Place and take the stairs down to the battery. A single bus ticket costs €1.50 in winter and €2.00 in summer.
Taxi/Ride-Share
Ask your driver to take you to Castille Place in Valletta, nearby the Upper Barrakka Gardens. From there, enter the gardens and take the stairs down to the Saluting Battery. A short taxi ride within Valletta should cost approximately €10-€15.
Local tips
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Arrive before noon or 4pm (Monday - Saturday) to witness the firing of the cannons and learn about the battery's history.
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Combine your visit with the Malta Time-Gun Museum, located nearby under the Malta Stock Exchange Building.
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Consider the War HQ Tunnel Tour for a deeper dive into Malta's wartime history, which includes admission to the Saluting Battery.
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The Saluting Battery is closed on Sundays and public holidays like New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter, and Christmas.
Discover more about Saluting Battery
Perched on Valletta's eastern ramparts, the Saluting Battery offers a vibrant connection to Malta's history. Constructed in 1566 by the Order of St. John, it stands on the site of an Ottoman battery used during the Great Siege of Malta. The battery formed the lower tier of the St. Peter & Paul Bastion, offering strategic views of the Grand Harbour.Historically, the battery served both military and ceremonial purposes. Cannons fired salutes to visiting naval vessels and marked important occasions. From the 1820s, a midday gun signaled the exact hour for shipmasters to calibrate their chronographs. The battery played a role in the blockade of 1798-1800 and World War II. Briefly decommissioned in 1954, it was restored and reopened in the 21st century.Today, visitors can witness the firing of replica SBBL 32-pounder cannons. Gun signals occur daily (Monday to Saturday) at 12:00 and 16:00. The site includes a collection of historic artillery, a gunpowder magazine, and a museum. Audio guides are available in multiple languages.
A brief summary to Saluting Battery
Use Saluting Battery as your starting point for nearby food, family ideas, nightlife, and more local discoveries.
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