Grand Master Jean de Valette

Jean de Valette was born into the noble La Valette family in Quercy, southwestern France, around 1495. His family had a long and distinguished history, with ancestors participating in the Crusades, a martial tradition he would continue. At approximately 20 years old, in 1514, he made a life-altering decision: he joined the Order of Knights Hospitaller. He never returned to France, dedicating himself entirely to the Order's cause. As a Knight Hospitaller in the Langue de Provence, he fought with distinction against the Turks at Rhodes. When the Order was expelled from Rhodes by the Ottoman Turks under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, de Valette accompanied Grand Master Philippe Villiers de L'Isle-Adam, his mentor and predecessor. These early experiences fighting the Ottomans forged his character and prepared him for the monumental challenge that awaited him in Malta.

De Valette’s legacy was cemented during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, an event often regarded as one of the greatest sieges in history. As the 49th Grand Master of the Order of Malta, he led the desperate defence of the island against a massive Ottoman force. The odds were staggering: the Knights and Maltese defenders numbered a few thousand against an invading army of tens of thousands. De Valette's leadership was unflinching. He inspired his men to fight with a ferocity that astonished their attackers, holding out for three long months against relentless assaults. This victory was not merely a local triumph; it stopped the Ottoman advance into Europe and secured the Mediterranean for Christendom for generations. The siege made de Valette a hero of the Order and immortalised him as a symbol of courage against impossible odds.

Following the epic victory of the Great Siege, de Valette immediately began planning a new, impregnable capital. The old city of Birgu had been heavily damaged during the siege, and the new city needed to be stronger. In 1566, he laid the foundation stone for Valletta, the city that would bear his name. The location was strategic—a peninsula between two harbours, easy to defend but difficult to besiege. De Valette personally oversaw the initial planning and construction of the fortified city, designed by the Italian military engineer Francesco Laparelli. The new city would be a testament to the Order’s power and a permanent monument to their survival. However, the Grand Master did not live to see his vision completed. He died in 1568, two years after laying the foundation stone, and was succeeded by Grandmaster Pierre de Monte. The magnificent capital he conceived stands today as Malta’s political and cultural heart.

De Valette’s final resting place is a site of pilgrimage for history lovers visiting Valletta. His tomb, in the form of a simple yet powerful sarcophagus, can be found in the Crypt of the Conventual Church of the Order (now St. John's Co-Cathedral), situated within the walls of the city he founded. The inscription on his tomb, composed by his Latin Secretary, Sir Oliver Starkey, is a fitting tribute to his legacy. It reads, in Latin: 'Here lies La Valette. Worthy of eternal honour, He who was once the scourge of Africa and Asia, And the shield of Europe, Whence he expelled the barbarians by his Holy Arms, Is the first to be buried in this beloved city, Whose founder he was.' This crypt offers a tangible connection to the man whose leadership saved Malta and whose vision gave it a new capital.

Even after his death, the name of the Grand Master has been a subject of historical debate. While many refer to him as 'Jean de La Valette,' historical evidence suggests he actually signed his name as 'de Valette' without the 'La.' This discrepancy likely originated from the common reference to the city as 'La Valletta,' leading to the inclusion of 'La' in his name over time. During the unveiling of a statue at Pjazza Jean de Valette in 2012, historian Giovanni Bonello stated that the Grandmaster always signed his name without the 'La.' However, family descendants maintain the name should include it. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta's successor now refers to him as Fra' Jean de La Vallette-Parisot. All 138 coins and 19 medals minted during his reign show his name as 'de Valette,' 'de Valetta,' or simply 'Valette,' adding weight to the argument that he himself preferred the shorter form.

De Valette's influence is not confined to history books; it is woven into the fabric of modern Malta. His legacy is honoured throughout the island in numerous ways. In 2012, Pjazza Jean de La Valette was inaugurated in Valletta, featuring a striking 2.5-meter bronze statue of the Grandmaster sculpted by Joseph Chetcuti. The statue depicts La Valette in armour, holding Valletta's plan in one hand and a sword in the other, a powerful symbol of the founder and defender. His image has appeared on Maltese stamps, coins, banknotes, and telecards, cementing his status as a national icon. The flagship of Virtu Ferries, the MV Jean de La Valette, bears his name, carrying his legacy across the Mediterranean. His story continues to inspire literature, including Marthese Fenech's Siege of Malta Trilogy and novels by authors like Nicholas Prata and Tim Willocks, ensuring that his legend endures for new generations.

For visitors to Malta, the story of Jean de Valette is not just a historical account; it's an experience waiting to be discovered. The most direct way to connect with him is in Valletta, the city he founded. A visit to Valletta is a walk through his legacy, from the imposing fortifications he commissioned to the very streets he envisioned. Standing in the Upper Barrakka Gardens, one can look down over the Grand Harbour, the very scene of the Great Siege, and appreciate the strategic genius of the location. Exploring St. John's Co-Cathedral to find his tomb offers a moment of quiet reflection. To truly appreciate the context of his life and times, one can also visit the nearby island of Gozo, which played a crucial role in the siege as a refuge for the Maltese population. Understanding de Valette is to understand the soul of Malta itself.