Palace Square starts a new lease of life
St George's Square in Valletta, for centuries the silent witness of Malta's history in the making, was the focus of its own milestone in history this evening when it was re-inaugurated at the end of a six-month rehabilitation project.
The square, which for the past few years was little more than a parking lot reserved mostly for MPs, has been paved and decorated to become Valletta's premier site for open air activity, especially as Freedom Square gives way to the building of the new Parliament building.
The rehabilitated square was inaugurated by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who said that this was a square which had a long history, but which also had a role in the present.
"This square is a mirror of the past with a modern inspiration," Dr Gonzi said.
He said the inauguration of the square marked an important part of the government's plans for Valletta which would also see the Palace becoming a showcase of all things Maltese, while Parliament would be moved to City Gate in what was the most ambitious of the Valletta rehabilitation process.
The process, he said, would also see the restoration of the bastions.
The rehabilitation of St George's Square, better known as Palace Square, was launched six months ago. The square, now a pedestrian area, features porfido and lava paving, modern lighting on 12-metre high poles and water installations, installed flush with the ground, which produce colourful water jets synchronized to music. Benches and other street furniture has been installed all around the square. They can be removed to permit the holding of parades.
Resources Minister George Pullicino explained that the design philosophy was the same as when the square was built centuries ago - to make the area a hive of social activity.
"We have joined modernity with respect for history," he said.
"We opted for a design that respects the architectural heritage of the surroundings while introducing elements such as water, light and music, which make of this square a space which is alive and fresh.
"In the same way as Laparelli, when he designed Valletta, wanted to create a square which lent itself to the importance of the majestic grand masters' palace, so too the rehabilitation project will continue to reveal the beauty of this jewel in the heart of our city."
The minister thanked the workers for their work.
Earlier, the ceremony featured a spectacular acrobatic display and a feature on the history of the square - including how it once featured a fountain to mark the arrival of the water supply in Valletta, the execution of the Maltese during the French occupation, the 1919 riots, the granting of the George Cross, the regular 'changing of the guard' ceremonies by the British forces, the celebration of Independence, the birth of the Republic, the arrival of Pope John Paul in 1990, and the various election celebrations.
The square, which had been in darkness, was then lit by the 'dancing' colourful water jets from the ground to music as the acrobats trapezed high overhead.
An acrobat in a storey-high transparent ball then rolled out onto the water jets. It was surrounded by children waving balloons as more lights were switched on in the ground to the sound of beating drums.
The ceremony ended with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque and a blessing by Archbishop Paul Cremona.
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C.R. Taliana
Dec 9th 2009, 09:52
I liked the new look of Palace Square. Anything that embellishes our lovely capital is welcome.
I have two queries though:
1. When will we start to restore and clean the residential areas of Valletta?
2. Will the Sette Giugno monument be put in Freedom Square where the new Parlaiment is going to be built?
Peter Mercieca
Dec 8th 2009, 21:55
Top honours to all involved free space over parked cars anyday...... without wanting to sound like one of the negative bloggers..a quick question - what happens to all the lost parking capacity from this pjazza, are there any plans in progress to find a permanent solution for more parking in, around or below Valletta?
Once again bravo to planners and workers alike....you make us all proud Maltese.
Raymond Sammut
Dec 8th 2009, 12:53
@ a attard
They can always be moved to a more suited location if needed. An alternative design can be implemented through public participation should there be enough support from the public. It's only a minor issue. This has been, overall, a genuine and a significant effort by minister Pullicino. Mr Pullicino is also credited with the recent restoration of the Mdina bastions, along with numerous other ongoing projects.
elaine bonavia
Dec 8th 2009, 10:52
........ horrible!
a attard
Dec 8th 2009, 07:22
Well done, another square given to the people and nicely done except for the lamp posts that seem to go much better in an area like Paceville then a baroque town. They are SO ugly!
Dylan Chircop
Dec 8th 2009, 01:47
Ma nafx jien nahseb ghandu flus u mhux le il-gvrn jien. Mela, jien ma naqbilx mal-gvern kwazi fl-ebda suggett! Jekk miniex sejjer zbaljat dak l-ilma qed jinhela jew qed jigi reciklat?!. Tieni, On the whole sabih pero iktar kien jixraq li jibqa stil antik u mux dwal qishom tal-aljeni , III,bilhaqq, f'Malta hawn il-problema tad-DAWL u l-ILMA, imma koz il-gvern ghandu milli jidher minnfejn igibhom il-flus jew ahjar jigborhom minn fuq dahar in-nies! U l-monument li kien hemm ma nafx jien x'sar minnu jekk joghgobkom xi hadd jista' jghidli x' ser isir minnu l-monument qabel ma nitkellem fil-vojt?
chris castillo
Dec 7th 2009, 21:58
First of all the the architecture on both sides is revealed, finally got rid of the ugly car-park and rubbish flooring. Second of all a neath and clean flooring is a basic logical start.However we are nearly the only country which have no suitable installations. nothing artistic, nothing contemporary, massive and structural. All they do is pathetic statues, which the idea of it dates way back. Look at other countries and check how they exploited the artistic factor with elements of religion, war memorials and so on. this is an utter disgrace knowing that we have young artists, designers ready to express their ideas , however because the form of art they want to do is not a statue, then they get banned, refused and forgotten.
jcamilleri
Dec 7th 2009, 21:26
Imma kif lil-laburisti xejn ma jikkuntentahom? Xi dwejjaq ta' nie!.
Andre Schembri
Dec 7th 2009, 17:39
l-ewwel haga jiena ma nifimx fl-istorja u l-arkitettura ; imma onestament qed jiddisgustawni 2 affarijiet : l-ewwel haga ma nemminx li post bhal belt valletta jixraqlu balla dawl bla sens fuqhu ; timmaginaw tmorru venezja u tibda tixghel hadra orange vjola celisti qisha xi disco? u it-tieni ghala irridu niskreditaw u innehhu il-memorja ta kull haga li gratt fl-istorja ta malta hlief l-indipendenza ?(inkluz jum il-helsin , sette giunio, republika) anyway jiena ma irridx nara pajjizzi iddentifikat mal-independeza li ghallijja tffisser debollizza lej il-poter ingliz...
Raymond Sammut
Dec 7th 2009, 17:29
@ clive borg What took place on the 7th June 1919 was ugly and tragic, and has no historical value. It was the culmination of mobs going out of control over several days in several parts of Valletta. The cause was severe economic conditions which immediately followed after the end of WWI. Ironically, Malta's economy had been benefiting from WWI, and the British administration on Malta was not prepared once the war had stopped. This was the reason why the British later favoured reforms and granted more powers to the National Assembly. The turn of events was purely economics driven, and had nothing to do with people giving themselves to martyrdom. It was just mobs turning up on the streets because economic conditions were severe. It was all chaotic and irresponsible. In my view, Malta's politicians of today are irresponsible to erect such a monstrous monument precisely to commemorate the irresponsibility of that ugly economic period which resulted in people dying unnecessarily. It's a monument which honours the "mob" and nothing else. It's a reprehensible monument, and should not re-appear in a public place. All it does is gratify Malta's politicians and their hollow glory.
J.Borg
Dec 7th 2009, 17:07
X'ghageb ghax irrangajna pjazza......kollox namlu biex naljenaw lin nies mil problemi li ghandu l-pajjiz!!!! Ghax bhalllieku il-pjazza mhux il-parlamentari kienu juzawa......issa hadu postijiet ta karozzi ohra f'toroq ohrajn... Kemm ser jiswew il-festini li se jamlu fil-festa?
Clinton Farrugia
Dec 7th 2009, 16:59
Every news item is being turned in a political dialog....unbelievable, get a hobby!!!!!
Paul Ciantar
Dec 7th 2009, 16:48
feather in the hat for Dr Gonzi prosit and keep the good work
James Vella Clark
Dec 7th 2009, 16:35
The sette giugno monument will be relocated close to parliament. This has already been officially stated by Minister Pullicino and in my opinion, it makes sense. And the two fountains do work and are nicely lit as well. I am very happy with this new space. so many people are quick to criticize negatively. just think how the square looked 6 months ago and think how it looks now. just stop turning everything into a useless political squabble. what a waste of time.
Stephen Scerri
Dec 7th 2009, 16:18
@ Philip Schembri -
Qed tirreferi ghall patazata tal-flats li hemm City Gate ??? Personalment inghalqu slums u nbnew ohrajn. Vera hawn nies hawn Malta li ma jafux japprezzaw is-sabih u l-gid li jsir fil pajjiz minn zmien ghal zmien.
Robert Azzopardi
Dec 7th 2009, 16:09
Three letters OTT! Another example of a small country with a massive ego! I didnt know we were getting ready to host the next summer olympics!Really Malta should stop trying to prove its worth with such shows of might and rhetoric, it is very childish, and quite frankly has become annoying, not to mention pathetic, and start behaving like a mature country, giving importance to real issues! Anyhow the square in itself is a pretty sight but I dont believe there was the need for such fanfare! Sorry we are talking about Gonzipn afterall, smoke screen on top of smoke screen! And correct me if I'm wrong but i believe that in the shot I only saw the PM, Tonio Fenech, Pullicino and the Archbishop, where were the people?was it not open for the public?
Philip Schembri
Dec 7th 2009, 15:25
@Catherine Galea
Dan il-ftahir kollu ghal Gonzi PN irrestawra pjazza wahda!! Mil-1971 sal-1987 Gvern Laburista qered is-slums li kien hemm il-belt hemm isfel u flokhom bena djar u appartamenti dicenti biex jikkomodha lil familji maltin. Qatt ma naf li ghamlu trasmissjoni live fuq it-TV kemm il darba bnew xi blokka apartamenti. Taljenaw in-nies qeghdin biex taparsi GonziPN kemm qieghed jaghmel gid f'Malta, ahjar flok l-ispalpaljar ta flus fl-inawgurazzjoni tal-bierah nefaqhom fi progett iehoer jew inkella ikkumpensa lil familji maltin fil-kontijiet tad-dawl u ilma!!
Victor Laiviera
Dec 7th 2009, 15:08
The post by Mr Raymond Sammut proves - is any proof was needed - that the removal of the Sette Giugno Monument was politically motivated.
How Petty!
@ Mr Anthony Bugeja
The Palace has symbolised the Maltese State ever since it was built. The proper place for the monument which commemorated the first stirrings which led to an independent Maltese State was in its original place - in front of the palace.
But partisan pique dictated otherwise.
Raymond Sammut
Dec 7th 2009, 14:28
The successful completion of this project is another credit to Mr Pullicino. He recently restored the Mdina bastions, and now the Palace Square. Credit surely goes to this minister.
Stella Anastasi
Dec 7th 2009, 13:32
Well Done for the spectacular show - but I am really amazed that we had to turn to foreigners to perform - DO WE HAVE TRUST IN MALTESE TALENT? There are some great local Maltese artists, who I believe could have performed likewise, had they been given the chance!! And sure that it would have cost less!!
laurence schembri
Dec 7th 2009, 12:51
I do think that Vince Peresso is right about the old fountain, if it is the one I`m thinking of, it is still in pristine condition. The waterworks are a wonder. Would i need an umbrella on a windy day/
Adrian Cachia
Dec 7th 2009, 12:49
Don't you think the celebrations for that Square are a bit too much. We had two tv stations airing the event, billboards, pamphlets.
The restoration of the square was required indeed...but all these celebrations are just a cover up...
Catherine Galea
Dec 7th 2009, 12:24
@ Philip Shembri
Nahseb ma rajtx it-trasmissjoni kollha, ghax fid-dokumentarju issemma mhux biss il-monument imma l-grajjiet ta' dak iz-zmien.
Kollox tridu ddahhlu lil Gvern Laburista. illum hafna sensazzjonalizmu fuq dan il-monument , hadd qatt ma semmieh qabel, meta kien f'nofs carpark imdawwar bil-karozzi. Imma din tas-soltu drajniha issa, kollox iswed, hazin u tragiku ghax ikun ghamlu l-Gvern imexxi minn Gonzi !
Francesca
Dec 7th 2009, 12:20
The Government has stated on more than three occasions that the Sette Giugno will be shifted to the new Parliament site. This monument commemorates an event which eventually have birth to proper representation by the Maltese community. Thus it makes sense that this monument moves with the Parliament. Please note also that the incidents of Sette Giugno did not happen in Piazza San Gorg.
DUSTY WILLIAMS
Dec 7th 2009, 12:20
GEJNA TAJJEB ISSA, IL GVERN JIFFANFRA BID DWAL FUQ ROUNDABOUTS U PJAZZEZ U AHNA GO DJARNA BILKEMM QED NIXAGHLU. AHLI GVERN AHLI GHAX INT TISTA.
clive borg
Dec 7th 2009, 12:07
Raymond Sammut (40 minutes ago)
''In fact, the so-called "sette giuno" has no historical weight -- just a riot gone wrong. No-one had intended to fight for martyrdom. The whole thing is just another travesty, and should be melted down. Malta has too many idiosyncratic, politically motivated monuments as it is.''
Nahseb int wihed minn dawk li fi 7 ta Gunju tkun ix-xoghol, xorta wahda billi festa nazzjonali ghax tikunsidra li ghalxejn qamu l-irvelli... Prosit int bniedem KBURI BL-ISTORJA TA PAJJIZEK!
Qed turi il-mentalita Maltija li ghandna storja kbira, imma inhalluwha minsijha u mohbija... u meta eluf ta turisti jigi propju ghal istorja....
Philip Schembri
Dec 7th 2009, 11:55
Innutajna li l-ebda persuna li tkellem il-bierah ma semma dwar il-monument tal-1919, dan forsi ghaliex ghamlu Gvern Laburista u huwa ta stil li jixraq lil Belt, filfatt peress li issa qieghedin intuha laqta moderna il-belt Valletta naghmlu f'nofsha monument bhal ta Hal-Luqa!!!
il-poplu ghandu gvern li jixraqlu!!!
Anthony Bugeja
Dec 7th 2009, 11:28
Qed jintqal hafna dwar il-Monument. It-tifkira tas-Sette Gugno hija marbuta mal-istorja tal-Parlament allura ma jaghmilx sens li l-monument issir hemmhekk u il-Parlament ser jicaqlaq.
Nahseb kienet deiczjoni ghaqlija
J Micallef
Dec 7th 2009, 11:22
Well done !!! I watched yesterday's show and was really impressed with the project and inauguration ceremony.
I couldn't beleive that in such a short period all this has happened in the centre of our capital city with all the difficulties I can imagine. (logistics / traffic)
I come from the Business Comunity, and we really appreciate such projects. They give a value added to our product. Well done !!
Raymond Sammut
Dec 7th 2009, 11:17
@ Anthony Mizz -- Space without identity? Are you joking? It lies right next to one of the oldest and grandest palaces in Europe. What has that Mintoffian monument got to do with the GM palace? I never saw Mintoff building any palaces. Go take a closer look at that travesty he built on top of the City Gate. That thing has got nothing to do with the palace square, and should never have been put there. In fact, the so-called "sette junio" has no historical weight -- just a riot gone wrong. No-one had intended to fight for martyrdom. The whole thing is just another travesty, and should be melted down. Malta has too many idiosyncratic, politically motivated monuments as it is.
Maria Grech
Dec 7th 2009, 11:14
Xtaqt nghid prosit lil Gvern dwar il-progett ta' Pjazza San Gorg. Il-bierah rajt l-ispettaklu minn fuq it-TV.
Show spettakolari, li ssoltu naraw fuq stazzjonijiet barranin. Fl-ahhar f'pajjizna qed naraw affarijiet ta' kawlita li mhux biss gejja mill-privat imma mill-Gvern. Spicca z-zmien tal-medjokrita. Il-Bierah x'hin rajt il-pjazza tinxtghel u dak l-ispettaklu kont kburija li jien Maltija.
J Farrugia
Dec 7th 2009, 11:06
tisthu tghidu li huwa progett tajjeb u jaghmel lill-belt kapitali taghna iktar rikka. imma l-lejber dejjem lejber jibqa. hlief monstrositajiet ma taghniex kemm fil-monumenti kif ukoll f'dak kollu li ghamel. il-verita hija wahda li giet pjazza meravilja frott ix-xoghol tal-haddiem malti. Grazzi lil min hadem fiha.
Joe Cardona
Dec 7th 2009, 10:38
Mal-progett naqbel imma ghal hela ta' flus il-poplu ghal varjeta ma naqbilx jista jghid il-gevrn kemm gietu ghal varjeta.
mhux ahjar investihom ghal dawk li qed ifittxu ix-oghol jew ghal-kontijiet tad-dawl li se jgholli.
DUSTY WILLIAMS
Dec 7th 2009, 10:28
NAHSEB DAN KIEN L EWWEL U L UNIKU PROJETT TAN NAZZJONALISTI LI TLESTA FIL HIN U MA KIENX HEMM TBAZWIRWARAJH. S-ISSA.
R. Caruana
Dec 7th 2009, 10:27
C Gatt, agree with you entirely.
Certainly not the place for such a monument, which after all was a monstrosity if there ever was one.
Great job done with the square and its environs. Let's hope we don't see the surrounding commercial entities put up banners and large signs as before.
As for the modern furniture, would 'antique' style copies have been any more acceptable?
C Gatt
Dec 7th 2009, 09:26
@Mr Laviera
Re Sette Giugno Monument
With all due respect to the victims of the bread riots, , No - because of the respect for those victims, that monument should disappear into the bowels of some forgotten museum.
It is a shameful piece of work, turning those victims into symbols of Stalinist Malta. What was with those flexing muscles, ripped torsos and pseudo-heroic poses? It looked more like some homo erotic nightmare then a meditation on a very sad day.
It is a perfect example of when art is used as propaganda, and bad art at that. It did not fit into its environment. Indeed it cannot fit into any environment. If anyone needs convincing hope\ over to Floriana and the Christ the KIng monument . Sciortino's work is another piece of (Christian) propaganda, but the difference is a quantum leap.
Victor Laiviera
Dec 7th 2009, 07:57
But still no sign of the Sette Giugno Monument.
Whaty a shame.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Dec 7th 2009, 07:27
Now that this historic square has been given back to the people it should be renamed ' Mistrah in-Nies' or 'Pjazza tal Poplu', People's Square.
M.Cassar
Dec 7th 2009, 07:25
What about the monument to mark the 1919 riots? When will it be restored to its rightful place? In all the modernity to embellish our historic square it's the only link to our identity...
G Demartino
Dec 7th 2009, 07:10
A big thumbs up for Lawrence Gonzi and his team for a magnificent job well done. yet i can't really understand why the sette Giugno monument didn't find its way back in the square. It was here that the four bodies of the victims were brought after they were shot. It was here were Wenzu Dyer got shot. What do we have to hide? It was first and foremost a patriotic perhaps the most patriotic act of Maltese modern history.. Besides this the monument was erected after contributions were gathered from the people.
JOHN cARUANA
Dec 7th 2009, 05:48
FROM AFAR, GUAJARAMIRIM IN THE AMAZON, ASSITING TO THE VIDEO DEPICTING THE INAUGURATION OF THE SQUARE I COULDN´T DISTINGUISH BETWEEN WHAT IS REAL AND FICTION!
WITH THIS STANDARD IN DESIGN, - INCLUDING A RADICAL AND CREATIVE SOLUTION TO THE PARKING PROBLEM AS SUGGESTED BY A COLUMNIST IN TODAYS PAPER, - MALTA, AND NOT ONLY VALLETTA - COULD BECOME
A FANTASTIC GEM OF HISTORY, ANTIQUITY AND MODERNITY TO VISIT! WELL DONE TO ALL INVOLVED - IN PARTICULAR MALTESE TALENT.
FR.JOHN CARUANA
Alison Vella
Dec 7th 2009, 02:55
very pretty...but its think its a bit too modern for valletta.
Stephen Borg Cardona
Dec 7th 2009, 00:17
Very nicely done up, congrats all round. I hope the old fountains will be working soon.
david farrugia
Dec 6th 2009, 23:25
what about installing a webcam at the renovated pjazza?
Anthony Mizzi
Dec 6th 2009, 23:13
With the removal of the Sette Giugno monument has rendered Palace Square just a space without IDENTITY. Someone trying to re-write history?
A monument that recalled the Maltese bread riots of 1919 leading the British colonial government to grant new constitution and self-government to Malta in 1921, when the first meeting of the Legislative Assembly was held
Why all the haste for the removal of a monument commemorating such a valued episode in the history of the island, which is now gathering dust in some obscure warehouse?
It should only have been moved when a worthy and commendable site was identified and by National consensus. After all it is ( or was?)a National Monument commemorating a National Historic event and not a piece of furniture.
May someone have the heart and the dignity to put a Laurel Wreath on the site after the inauguration of this open space to commemorate the fallen on that faithful day, 7 Giugno 1919.
Have Din L-art Helwa and Heriage Malta lost their voice?
Vince Peresso
Dec 6th 2009, 23:05
Thanks to all those involved in re-creating a great square worthy of a capital city.
Just a query regards the fountain in the original sqaure . I believe this fountain is now in the Argotti Gardens. However I stand to be corrected.
Christopher Busuttil
Dec 6th 2009, 22:18
Well done dear Government for such a smart project but shame on you that the public was not invited for such an opening!!