One World

The old slaughterhouse

Grand Master Jean Lascaris Castellar (1636-1657) built eight magazines at Triq San Kristofru, four on each side of the road leading to Jews Sally Port. An order was issued stating that all butchering should be done near the old fountain of Valletta. This together with the present street name Triq il-Gendus, confirms the earlier existence of an abattoir.

Less than ten years later, by 1667, the eight magazines were divided into two chambers each to form a total of 16. By May of that year, each room started to be leased separately. According to the Cabreo Cottoner, Grand Master Fra Nicolas Cottoner (1663-1680), built 35 houses on the site of the old slaughter house. This document proves that by 1676, the bucceria had already changed from its original function, and shows that the adjacent area had just been developed.

The building was later turned into a naval bakery and this is evident from the soot on the surviving three capping stones of four chimneys.

At the front facing Triq iż-Żekka is a water trough that was used by beasts of burden, which is now defunct.

The present buildings consist of two rows of rooms on two levels with ten doorways. The upper rooms have an open terrace in front of them overlooking Triq San Karlu and Triq il-Gendus respectively. The terraces were accessible from Triq San Kristofru through an arched doorway and a short flight of stairs.

Mepa scheduled the old slaughterhouse as a Grade 1 national monument as per Government Notice No. 276/08 in the Government Gazette dated March 28.