Valletta is the capitol of Malta, named after the Grand Master of the Order of St. John, Jean de la Valette. Immediately after the Siege of Malta in 1565, the Order decided to found a new city that was more defensible. It's high on a hill, & all the city streets are designed to be straight & in a grid pattern. Each street goes directly down to the sea in all directions, so you can get to the sea from anywhere.