The ruins of the Royal Opera House will be retained in Renzo Piano's vision of an open air theatre at the top of Republic Street, revealed this evening.

The plans show an iron structure merged with the remains, with the area being turned into a piazza when there are no performances.

The Royal Opera House was destroyed by aerial bombardment in April 1942 and argument on the use of the site persisted for the past 65 years.

Mr Piano said the ruins had now become too important as a monument to be removed. The site was also too small to be used as a Parliament or a modern opera house.

See also:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090627/local/revealed-the-new-face-of-valletta

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090627/local/the-new-city-gate-and-parliament

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090622/local/renzo-piano-interviewed

The designs are available at:

www.opm.gov.mt/vallettaprojects

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