| Upper Barrakka Gardens | |
|---|---|
| Il-Barrakka ta' Fuq | |
 View of the Upper Barrakka Gardens | |
 Map of the Upper Barrakka Gardens within St. Peter & Paul Bastion | |
| Location | Valletta,Malta |
| Coordinates | 35°53′41″N14°30′44″E / 35.89472°N 14.51222°E /35.89472; 14.51222 (Upper Barrakka Gardens) |
| Area | Valletta harbour |
| Created | 1661 |
| Open | 10:00-22:00 |
TheUpper Barrakka Gardens (Maltese:Il-Barrakka ta' Fuq) are a publicgarden inValletta,Malta.[1] Along with theLower Barrakka Gardens in the same city, they offer a panoramic view of theGrand Harbour.[2]
The gardens are located on the upper tier ofSaints Peter and Paul Bastion, which was built in the 1560s. The bastion's lower tier contains theSaluting Battery. The garden's terraced arches were built in 1661 by the Italian knight Fra Flaminio Balbiani. They were originally roofed, but the ceiling was removed following theRising of the Priests in 1775.[3]
The gardens were originally used to offer recreation to the knights of the Italianlangue of theOrder of Saint John, but were opened to the public following the end of the two-yearFrench occupation of Malta in 1800.[3]
In the park there are several monuments and memorials to a number of prominent people, includingGerald Strickland, SirThomas Maitland and SirWinston Churchill. A replica of the statueLes Gavroches (the Street Boys) by the Maltese sculptorAntonio Sciortino is also located in the garden. The original is found inMUŻA.[3]
It is the highest point of thecity walls, and thus its bordering terrace offers a clear view over theGrand Harbour, theThree Cities, as well as over theshipyard and the lower-lying parts the capital.[4]
The gardens are linked to Valletta'sditch and the nearby Lascaris Wharf by theBarrakka Lift. The firstlift on the site was built in 1905, but was closed in 1973 and dismantled in 1983.[5] The lift can be seen in operation in the 1968 British adventure film,A Twist of Sand, based onGeoffrey Jenkins' 1959 novel of the same name. A new lift was inaugurated on 15 December 2012.[6]
The Upper Barrakka Gardens are not only a historic viewpoint but also serve as a venue for cultural and community events. From the gardens, visitors can watch the daily ceremonial cannon firings at the Saluting Battery below, which usually take place at 12pm and 4pm.[7] The gardens have also hosted events such as the Eco Festival, an artisan market focused on sustainability and local craftsmanship.[8]
