Palace Square to be ready for Spanish King

King Juan Carlos of Spain is expected to the first head of state to use the newly paved St George’s Square, work on which is expected to be concluded by November 17.

Resources Minister George Pullicino visited the works this morning, accompanied by artistic director Carlo Schembri and Valletta Rehabilitation Project architect Claude Borg

The minister said that most of the paving was now ready and water jets for the ground fountain were taking shape.

In spite of the fountain, parades and concerts could still take place because the fountain could be switched off and covered flush on the ground.

The fountain, Mr Pullicino said, was being integrated with lighting and synchronised shows of light, music and water were to become a regular attraction.

The works on St Georges Square are being complemented by restoration works on palace with the works on the front and the side having already started, while those on the back were expected to start soon.

Republic Street in front of the Palacehas also been paved and will be closed off to traffic except when necessary. It is hoped that the part of Theatre Street joining the Square to Republic Street would be paved by Saturday, in time to facilitate access to Notte Bianca.

The restoration of the Main Guard is also underway and the restored clock in the centre of its portico should be in place next week. The existing lateral fountains will also be lit up. Citrus trees, chosen because of their smell, would be positioned in hardstone troughs.

Mr Pullicino said the ministry was also planning to start a drive to introduce a drive to clean up other parts of Valletta, to make the city a dignified one. A streamer put up by one operator, for example, was not in line with this concept and operators had to realise that they were in a dignified capital.

Shops which had projecting signs under the arcades in Independence Square also had to have them removed, he said.