# Jean de Valette Parisot

> nobleman from Quercy, having belonged to the order of the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem of which he was Grand Prior of Saint-Gilles (Langue de Provence) from 1556 to 1557 then Grand Master from 1557 to 1568

**Wikidata**: [Q264097](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q264097)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Parisot_de_Valette)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jean-de-valette-parisot

## Summary
Jean de Valette Parisot was a nobleman from Quercy, France, who served as Grand Prior of Saint-Gilles (Langue de Provence) for the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem from 1556 to 1557 and later became their Grand Master from 1557 to 1568. His most notable achievement was founding the city of Valletta in 1566, which became the capital of Malta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

## Biography
- Born: Unknown (only his noble status and origins in Quercy are documented)
- Nationality: French
- Education: Unknown (no records of formal education or training)
- Known for: Establishing Valletta and leading the Hospitallers during a critical period of Mediterranean defense
- Employer(s): Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem (Grand Prior 1556–1557, Grand Master 1557–1568)
- Field(s): Military leadership, religious order administration, urban planning

## Contributions
- **Valletta (1566)**: Founded the city of Valletta, which became the capital of Malta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was named in his honor and served as a fortified stronghold during the Siege of Malta.
- **Grand Master of the Hospitallers (1557–1568)**: Led the order during a period of strategic importance, including the defense of Malta against Ottoman forces.
- **Military and Religious Leadership**: Oversaw the Hospitallers' operations in the Mediterranean, contributing to the defense of Christian territories.

## FAQs
**What was Jean de Valette Parisot's primary role in the Hospitallers?**
Jean de Valette Parisot served as Grand Prior of Saint-Gilles (1556–1557) and later as Grand Master (1557–1568), leading the Hospitallers during a critical period of Mediterranean defense.

**Why is Valletta named after Jean de Valette Parisot?**
Valletta was named in his honor to commemorate his leadership and the victory against the Ottoman Empire during the Great Siege of Malta.

**What is the significance of Valletta in European history?**
Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and served as a fortified city built after the Great Siege, symbolizing resilience and strategic military architecture that has been preserved for centuries.

**How did Jean de Valette Parisot influence Malta's development?**
He founded Valletta, which became the capital of Malta and a key political and cultural center in the Mediterranean.

## Why They Matter
Jean de Valette Parisot's legacy is deeply tied to Malta's identity and European military history. The city of Valletta, named in his honor, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of resilience against the Ottoman Empire. His leadership as Grand Master of the Hospitallers ensured the defense of Malta during a pivotal period, shaping the island's role in Mediterranean politics. Without his vision, Valletta might not have been established, and Malta's capital would not have been shaped by his military and urban planning contributions.

## Notable For
- **Founding of Valletta**: Established the city of Valletta, which became the capital of Malta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- **Grand Master of the Hospitallers**: Led the order during a critical period of Mediterranean defense, including the Siege of Malta.
- **UNESCO World Heritage Site**: Valletta, named in his honor, is recognized globally for its architectural integrity and historical importance.
- **European Capital of Culture**: Valletta was designated as such in 2018, showcasing its cultural vibrancy and historical significance.

## Body

### Early Life and Origins
Jean de Valette Parisot was a nobleman from Quercy, France. His origins in the region reflect his aristocratic background, which likely influenced his later leadership roles. No detailed records of his early life or education exist, but his noble status and military service suggest a background in both governance and warfare.

### Leadership in the Hospitallers
Jean de Valette Parisot served as Grand Prior of Saint-Gilles (Langue de Provence) from 1556 to 1557. In 1557, he was appointed Grand Master of the Hospitallers, a position he held until 1568. During his tenure, he oversaw the order's military and religious operations, including the defense of Malta against Ottoman forces.

### Founding of Valletta
In 1566, Jean de Valette Parisot founded the city of Valletta, which became the capital of Malta. The city was named in his honor to commemorate his leadership during the Great Siege of Malta. Valletta was established as a fortified stronghold, reflecting the strategic importance of Malta in the Mediterranean.

### Legacy and Influence
Jean de Valette Parisot's legacy is deeply tied to Malta's identity and European military history. Valletta, named in his honor, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of resilience against the Ottoman Empire. His leadership as Grand Master ensured the defense of Malta during a pivotal period, shaping the island's role in Mediterranean politics. Without his vision, Valletta might not have been established, and Malta's capital would not have been shaped by his military and urban planning contributions.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1980. It meets criteria (i) for representing a masterpiece of human creative genius and (vi) for its direct association with events of universal significance. The city is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities. In 2018, Valletta was designated the European Capital of Culture, highlighting its cultural vibrancy and historical significance.

### Administrative and Political Role
Valletta serves as the administrative heart of Malta, functioning as the national capital. It is a local council within the Port Region of Malta and is governed by a head of government. The city is twinned with Palermo and Nobile Contrada dell'Aquila, reflecting its international recognition and cultural exchange.

### Demographic and Geographic Context
Valletta is located in the Port Region of Malta, sharing a border with the town of Floriana. Its precise geographic coordinates are 35.897777777778° North latitude and 14.5125° East longitude. Valletta sits at an elevation of 56 meters above sea level and covers a total area of 80 hectares. The city is situated on the island of Malta, which is located in the Mediterranean Sea.

### Population and Governance
The population of Valletta has fluctuated over recent decades. As of December 31, 2021, the population was recorded at 5,197. A previous count in 2014 showed 6,444 residents, while the 2012 census recorded 5,719. The demonym for residents is "Valettin" for males and "Valettine" for females. The current head of government is Alfred Zammit, who assumed office in 2019. He succeeded Alexiei Dingli, who served from 2008 to 2019. Prior to Dingli, Paul Borg Olivier held the position from 1999 to 2008, and Hector Bruno served from 1993 to 1999.

### Cultural and Heritage Significance
Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1980. It meets criteria (i) for representing a masterpiece of human creative genius and (vi) for its direct association with events of universal significance. The city is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities. In 2018, Valletta was designated the European Capital of Culture. The city's patron saint is Saint Dominic. It is also known by the nickname "Città Umilissima" (The Most Humble City) and "Superbissima." The city has a rich cultural presence, with a dedicated category for people born there and another for those who died there. It is featured in the video game *Civilization V* as a City-state.

### Identification and Digital Presence
The city is identified by numerous unique identifiers across global databases. Its Wikidata ID is Q216, and it has a Freebase ID of /m/0ftns. The VIAF ID is 133703152, and the GND ID is 4119358-1. It holds a World Heritage Site ID of 131. Other identifiers include the Geonames ID 8334638, the MusicBrainz area ID 2aa35979-215b-4398-af7e-f4d8c1abefcb, and the OpenStreetMap node ID 1501909943. The city is listed in the British Library's National Library of Israel J9U system with ID 987007555183205171. It is also cataloged in the Library of Congress with authority ID n81103153. The city has a dedicated category on Wikimedia Commons and a banner image available on the platform.

### Linguistic and International Recognition
Valletta is recognized in a vast array of languages, with Wikipedia articles available in over 150 languages, ranging from Afrikaans and Arabic to Chinese and Zulu. The native label is "Belt Valletta." The city is described in the Encyclopædia Britannica Online and the Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana. It is also featured in the Treccani's Enciclopedia Italiana and the Great Russian Encyclopedia. The city has a presence in the Wikivoyage and Vikidia projects. It is listed in the Canadiana Name Authority and the National Library of Latvia. The city's unique feature ID in the US National Archives is 10044726. It is also indexed in the WorldCat Entities system.

### Infrastructure and Services
The city is equipped with specific infrastructure identifiers, including the OpenWeatherMap city ID 2562305. It has a Google Play store ID for related applications. The city's geoshape is available as Data:Malta/Valletta.map. The flag of Valletta is available on Wikimedia Commons, and the coat of arms is also documented. The city is located next to the Mediterranean Sea. It is part of the "Told Cities" project on Wikimedia and is considered a vital article on Wikipedia. The city has a specific category for maps and plans, as well as a category for views of the city.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb107365313)
7. CERL Thesaurus