Castille trees removed - façade fully revealed for the first time in generations

The splendid façade of the Auberge de Castille in Valletta has been revealed in all its glory following the removal of all trees that, for generations, hid parts of its baroque detail.

The trees on the left of the building were removed some weeks ago after damage caused by a storm, while workers removed the remaining trees early this morning.

The government has already announced plans to clean up the façade. The façade of the adjoining Palazzo Parisio, which houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was cleaned a few years ago.

The auberge, which originally only had a ground floor, is thought to have been designed by Maltese architect Girolamo Cassar in 1574 but it was later remodelled under Grand Master Pinto in 1744 – his symbol, the crescent moon, can be seen on the door and elsewhere in the building.

During the French occupation of Malta the building housed the Commission for National Property. It was later used by the British forces and a signalling station was installed on the roof in 1889.

The St Paul Street side of the building was hit by aerial bombing in the second world war but the façade survived and the building was restored.

It has housed the Office of the Prime Minister since 1972.