Pietà | Exploring Malta
Pietà, known in Maltese as Tal-Pietà, is a small seaside town in the Central Region of Malta. It is located on the coast of Marsamxett Harbour, just a stone’s throw away from the capital, Valletta, and its suburb Floriana. With a population of around 5,100 inhabitants, Pietà is part of the dense urban conurbation that surrounds the main harbors of the island. The town is most famous for being the former location of Malta’s main general hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital, and for once being the home of Queen Elizabeth II.
The character of Pietà is that of a bustling thoroughfare and a residential area. Its identity is defined by its long waterfront, which is a major traffic artery connecting Valletta with the towns of Msida and Sliema. The town’s skyline is dominated by the large, historic building of the former St. Luke’s Hospital, which sits on the hill of Guardamangia. The name Pietà comes from the Italian word for “pity” and is derived from a chapel that was built here in the 17th century.
Blog Posts From our visits to Pietà
The History of Pietà
The history of Pietà is that of a small settlement on the harbor’s edge that grew into an important suburb of the capital, Valletta. Its development was shaped by its strategic location and its role as a site for key national institutions. The story of Pietà is one of its slow growth into a residential area and its brief but significant connection to the British royal family in the mid-20th century.
Early Origins
The first known settlement in the area of Pietà dates back to the Great Siege of 1565. During the siege, the area was the site of one of the camps of the invading Ottoman army. After the Knights of St. John were victorious and built the new capital city of Valletta, people began to look for housing in the areas close to the new city. A small community began to grow in the area of Pietà. A small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows was built here, which gave the area its name.
A British Hub and Royal Residence
The development of Pietà accelerated during the British colonial period. The hill overlooking the town, known as Guardamangia, was developed in the 1920s. In the 1930s, the British built the large St. Luke’s Hospital here, which would become the main general hospital for the entire island. A key event in the town’s history occurred between 1949 and 1951. During these years, Princess Elizabeth of Great Britain, the future Queen Elizabeth II, lived at the Villa Guardamangia with her husband, Prince Philip, who was serving as a Royal Navy officer stationed in Malta.
Sights in Pietà
While Pietà is part of the larger urban area around the capital, with many sights in the surrounding area, there are also a few key sights to discover within the town itself. These are focused on its historical buildings and its waterfront.
Villa Guardamangia
The Villa Guardamangia is a historic townhouse with an impressive history. The building is believed to have been built in the mid-19th century. A century later, it would house its most famous resident. Princess Elizabeth of Great Britain lived in Malta between 1949 and 1951, and this was her home during those years. She lived here with Prince Philip while he was stationed in Malta as a Royal Navy officer. Princess Elizabeth would in 1952 become Queen Elizabeth II. The villa is currently undergoing restoration with the aim of turning it into a museum.
Saint Luke’s Hospital
Saint Luke’s Hospital stands as a large stone building watching out over Pietà and the Marsamxett Harbour. The construction of Saint Luke’s Hospital began in 1930. It was the main public general hospital in Malta for many decades until the completion of the new Mater Dei Hospital in Msida. Saint Luke’s Hospital was officially closed in 2007. The large, imposing building is a major landmark and a key example of British-era public architecture in Malta.
Ta’ Braxia Cemetery
Located on the border between Pietà and the neighboring town of Hamrun is the Ta’ Braxia Cemetery. This large cemetery was primarily intended for British servicemen and other non-Catholic burials. Construction began in 1855, and it was opened two years later. At the time of its opening, it also included an older Jewish cemetery that had been established in the first half of the 19th century. The cemetery gained its own memorial chapel, designed by the Maltese architect Emanuele Luigi Galizia, in the 1890s. The entire cemetery is today a Commonwealth Landmark Site.
Pietà Waterfront
The Pietà Waterfront offers a narrow promenade with a beautiful view of the Marsamxett Harbour on one side and heavy traffic on the other. A walk along the waterfront provides a view of some of the traditional Maltese balconies, known as Gallarijas. While many of the buildings are in need of repair, it is one of the few places along this part of the coast where the historic facades have not been completely replaced by modern hotel and office complexes.
Pietà with Kids
Pietà might not be the first consideration when traveling with kids. The heavy traffic along the waterfront and the limited pedestrian zones can make it a challenging environment. Finding good spots for kids to play is hard all around the bay and even in Valletta. Playgrounds are limited, with one of the larger ones to be found in the neighboring town of Floriana.
Playgrounds in Pietà
There is a small playground located on the border with the neighboring town of Hamrun. The playground is a fenced area, which separates the children from the heavy traffic of the roads that run next to it. For more extensive play areas, a visit to the surrounding towns would be necessary.
Sports in Pietà
The sporting life in Pietà is focused on its local football club. The club has a long history and has had periods of competing at the highest level of Maltese football.
Football
Football is a popular sport in Pietà. The local club is a key part of the community and represents the town in the national football league system of Malta.
Pietà Hotspurs F.C.
The local football club is Pietà Hotspurs F.C. The club was founded in 1968. The team has had several seasons competing in the Maltese Premier League, the top-tier league of Malta. They are known for having a strong youth academy that has produced several notable Maltese players. They play their home games at a local sports ground.
Getting Around in Pietà
Navigating Pietà is best done on foot for the central area, but the town is a major transport corridor. It is located on the main bus route that connects the capital, Valletta, with the busy towns of Sliema and St. Julian’s.
On Foot: The Waterfront
Walking is a good way to explore the central part of Pietà. The waterfront promenade that runs around the creek is a key walking route. From here, it is possible to walk to the neighboring towns of Msida to the west and Floriana to the east.
Local Buses
Pietà is located on one of the busiest bus corridors in Malta. Numerous bus routes operated by Malta Public Transport pass through the town. These buses provide very frequent and direct connections to the capital city of Valletta, to the main tourist resort of St. Julian’s, and to the ferry terminal at Ċirkewwa for travel to the island of Gozo.
How to Get to Pietà
Reaching the town of Pietà is very straightforward, as it is located in the heart of Malta’s main urban conurbation. The country’s single international airport is a short drive away, and the town is a major hub on the national bus network.
The Open Road: Driving to Pietà
Driving to Pietà is possible from all other parts of the island. The town is located on the main coastal road that runs around Marsamxett Harbour. However, be aware that the roads in this area are the most congested in the country. Parking in Pietà is extremely difficult to find and is often subject to time limits. A car is generally not recommended for a visit focused on this area.
Arriving by Air: Malta International Airport
The primary and sole gateway to the country is Malta International Airport (MLA). It is located in the town of Luqa, approximately 6 kilometers from Pietà. The airport is well-connected to major cities across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. From the airport, a taxi, a ride-sharing service, or a direct public bus service can be used to reach Pietà.
Connecting by Coach
There are no major long-distance coach services in Malta due to the small size of the island. The entire country is served by the integrated national bus network operated by Malta Public Transport. The main bus terminal is located just outside the city gates of Valletta, which is a very short distance from Pietà. Numerous routes from this terminal, as well as several direct routes from the airport and other major towns, pass through Pietà.
On Track: The Absence of Rail
There is no train service in Malta. The country does not have a railway network. Therefore, it is not possible to reach Pietà by train. All overland travel on the island must be done by road.
An International Ferry Approach
It is possible to arrive in Malta by ferry. The main ferry terminal for international arrivals is located at the Valletta Waterfront. There are regular car and passenger ferry services that connect Malta with the port of Pozzallo in Sicily, Italy. The port is also the main terminal for international cruise ships. From the ferry terminal in Valletta, it is a short journey by bus or taxi to reach the nearby town of Pietà.
Driving Distances
The driving distance from 10 regional cities, according to Google Maps:
- Valletta, Malta – 2 kilometers (0 h 10 min)
- Gżira, Malta – 3 kilometers (0 h 10 min)
- Sliema, Malta – 4 kilometers (0 h 10 min)
- Birgu, Malta – 5 kilometers (0 h 20 min)
- St. Julian’s, Malta – 5 kilometers (0 h 10 min)
- Paola, Malta – 5 kilometers (0 h 20 min)
- Mosta, Malta – 7 kilometers (0 h 20 min)
- Mdina, Malta – 10 kilometers (0 h 20 min)
- Marsaxlokk, Malta – 11 kilometers (0 h 30 min)
- Mellieħa, Malta – 17 kilometers (0 h 30 min)
Looking to Explore more of Malta and Europe?
This post was first published 2023-04-05 and was updated 2025-07-27
