Gollcher Family tablet

The Vittoriosa local council recently inaugurated another commemorative tablet, this time against the former residence of the Gollcher Family at 40 Strada Brittanica, now Hilda Tabone Street, Vittoriosa. It was set up at the request of the Vittoriosa Historical & Cultural Society and was financed by the Gollcher Foundation.

The Gollchers settled at Vittoriosa around the year 1848 and soon established themselves into a reputable shipping and transport agency as they still are to this day. It is significant that from the back of their residence at Vittoriosa they could survey the movement of their vessels plying into and out of the Grand Harbour. The Gollchers have been magnanimous in their cultural contributions to the nation. Just think of the splendidly restored Palazzo Falson at Mdina, run by the Gollcher Foundation.

It should also be recalled that it was Olaf Gollcher who furnished the Inquisitor’s Palace at Vittoriosa in the 1930s with remarkable period furniture and paintings, after it was salvaged by the Museum authorities from impending demolition at the hands of the British Military authorities. Such beautiful furniture and artistic objects were removed for safety during the war but, as always happens, were never returned. They now grace government ministries and offices, including the Auberge de Castille.