Giuseppe Garibaldi, the hero of two worlds, was a colourful personality who played an important role in the unification of Italy. His biggest problem was the Papal States, as there could not be full unity if the central part of Italy did not form an integral part of the new nation. A challenge against the Pope’s temporal domain was viewed with great distrust by Catholics around the world.

The life of Garibaldi was not easy and his final success was achieved after many pitfalls and losses. Having been wounded and restored to health, the British invited him to London.

En route to London in 1864 he stopped briefly in Malta where he was visited in his hotel by many admirers. Feeble protests by opponents, who considered what was deemed to be his anticlericalism, were easily suppressed by the British colonial authorities.

At that time the Maltese could not distinguish between the spiritual aspects of the Vatican from the temporal rule of a major and crucial part of Italy.

As far as I know, there is no memorial in Valletta of his stay in Malta. As part of Valletta 2018, a study should be carried out to ascertain his lodgings while in Malta.

Perhaps the building had suffered damage during the last war, but a marble plaque could still be erected to commemorate such an important personality.

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