St George’s Square

St  George’s square in Valletta (formerly know as the Main Guard) is one of the most important open spaces in the capital city. In the past the square was used for the changing of the guard parade. When this ceremony stopped taking place at the end of British rule in Malta, it was turned into a car park. It was difficult to appreciate the beauty of this square, flanked on one side by the Grand Master’s Palace (which now houses the Maltese Parliament), when it was full of cars. Thankfully, the square has been restored and now serves as an attraction in the heart of our capital city.  If it is splendid by day, by night it is quite magical, with a gorgeous water, music and light show which only serves to enhance the surrounding magnificent architecture.

 

Valletta in Sepia (2) – Abandoned and Derelict

This is a house in Merchants’ Street. It has been abandoned and forgotten as have many beautiful buildings in Valletta. Many of these houses are huge and cost a fortune to maintain. Not many people can afford to live on such a grand scale any more. So most  of these houses, or perhaps I should say mansions, now rot away slowly before our eyes. Shops have been opened on the ground floor of many of them but it seems that the upper storeys are left to fall into disrepair. It is a shame because these stately houses boast of some very beautiful Baroque architecture. My hope is that one day private or public funds will be donated to restore these buildings to their former glory. Meanwhile, I will continue to gaze in awe at their crumbling facades and imagine them as they used to be whilst freezing them forever in this moment in time with my camera.