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This blog is dedicated to Malta - my island home. My aim is not to bore you with history but to share my thoughts and a few facts together with a photo or two. For a more in -depth background of the island please go here. The purpose of this blog is not to point out the short-comings of the island. There are plenty that do that already. My wish is to show you the beauty of an island at the cross roads of the Mediterranean, a melting pot of history; a place where fact and fiction are sometimes fused to create unique myths and legends; a country that has been conquered so many times that our culture is a mish mesh of the lands that surround us and of lands far away. I confess that my greatest desire is to make you fall in love with this tiny enchanting island.

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Thursday 24 March 2011

The New Star Of Strait Street

I walked past this façade a couple of times wondering  what was inside. At first I thought it might be a new kinky boutique or some type of club or even a dance hall. It was intriguing, to say the least.

New Year's Eve in Valletta (20)-1

Then I looked up at the sign above the door (just visible in the photo above) and it explained everything. This is the new public bathroom in Strait Street. Strait Street has a very chequered history, which I will write about some other time, but for many years it was Valletta’s red light district.

New Year's Eve in Valletta (21)-1

So I thought that the newly refurbished building was quite in keeping with the street’s past – wouldn’t you agree?

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Strait Street

Valletta

17 comments:

  1. I'm interested to know the history of this red district, and wow, this building is really red :)

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  2. Oh this is absolutely fan-tas-tic! And what a collection of v words!

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  3. Fabuous post....and great shots!! Many tales to tell I am sure!
    have a happy wkd ahead!

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  4. Great pictures, the v-words are entertaining.

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  5. Great photos. For some reason, I suppose it's my curiousities, I would be drawn to exploring areas such as this as well. I'm always interested in the history. It does look very intriguing!
    xoxo, B

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  6. vulva, virile, viagra, virgin. hahahahahha!

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  7. That is really cool, red and bold.

    I find Strait Street fascinating as well. If I have some time on my own in Valletta I love walking down the street looking at the old signs.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mogello/4235897211/

    There should be a new book coming out this summer where Dr John Schofield & Emily Morrissey went to Strait Street and talked to people who lived/lives there "... to use archaeological and oral historical methods, combined with some documentary research, to interpret and demystify the urban landscape of abandoned music halls, bars, clubs and - some say - brothels of Strait Street, Valletta".

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  8. At least it is very red even if the district is gone,lol !

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  9. Great post! I heard about the new bathrooms but was too busy/lazy to go see for myself! Thanks for sharing and for the great photography! :-D

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  10. Stunning color and well-captured! How interesting about this street, and I agree that the refurbish does reflect the street's past!

    Bises,
    G

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  11. Yes, I would agree! And the photos are lovely. It's a very fancy public bathroom, that's for sure!

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  12. Great shots Loree..
    Interesting play on V words :)

    Jeanne xx

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  13. That's interesting Loree.. quite swanky.. in a red light district sort of way.. hehe.. and very opulent for a public bathroom...

    The second shot is fabulous!!!

    Have a wonderful week.. ciao xxxx Julie

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  14. I hope you're having a lovely week, Loree!
    xoxo, B

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  15. Hello Loree

    My compliments for this nice blog,
    i like this pictures very much.

    greetings and i wish you a nice day.

    Joop

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  16. What a spectacular pop of red. Splendid ~ xox Alexandra

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  17. Ouuuuuh, pure passion red:-)) Hugs from Luzia.

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