There is one interesting attraction in Valletta that you don’t want to miss. It’s the changing of the guard ceremony! Do you think it is nothing of interest? You are wrong. It is very different from similar ceremonies such as in Monaco or the UK. The changing of the guard is a very old ritual dating back to the 17th century. The first guard changing took place in front of the Grandmaster’s Palace by the Knights of the Order of St. John. Locals especially admired such a complex ritual. Years later it was cancelled. But Valletta's residents have expressed their delight for this tradition and the ceremony was restored. Nowadays it has become especially grand. Handpicked soldiers from the Maltese army perform a ceremony that consisted of changing the guarding duties while being followed by a military band. This procedure lasts around 45 minutes and gathers lots of spectators.
You can watch the changing of the guard every last Friday of the month at St George’s Square outside the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta.
