Valletta, Malta Architect Spiteri City Gate
Leave your feedback
LEAVE YOUR FEEDBACK

Video ID: 432

Submitting Feedback

How the entrance to Malta’s capital keeps evolving

Description

The entrance to Valletta has changed beyond recognition over the past six decades.

Our archive film starts with footage of the majestic-looking King’s Gate during the Second World War.

It was built in 1853, and consisted of two central arches with two smaller ones.

There were two statues on either side of the gate, one of Philippe Villiers de L’Isle-Adam, the first Grand Master in Malta, and one of Jean Parisot de Valette, the founder of the city.

By the 1960s, King’s Gate was regarded as too small to cope with the large influx of people entering Valletta and it was pulled down in 1964.

City Gate, as seen in the film, was built between June 1964 and August 1965 and designed by architect Alziro Bergonzo.

It consisted of a large opening in the centre with two smaller ones on the sides, and had a plain design with limited decoration.

It was controversial at the time of its construction, with the general public having some very mixed opinions.

Critics referred to it as ‘the garage door’, and the Malta Chamber of Architects described it as ‘an architectural flop’.

This City Gate was demolished in 2011, with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi attending the demolition.

The present gate was completed in 2014 to designs of world-renowned architect Renzo Piano, as part of a massive regeneration project to improve the entrance to Valletta.

It consists of a breach in the bastions, flanked by large blocks of stone which are separated from the curtain walls by high blades of steel.

More places from Valletta

Malta pays tribute to Sir Winston Churchill
Valletta, Malta churchill in malta churchill death
This archive footage shows how Malta mourned the death of Sir Winston Churchill....
A new lease of life for a Valletta landmark
Valletta, Malta Anton Buttigieg mcc opening 1979
This archive footage shows some of the extensive restoration work carried out in...
Honouring Maltese social reformer Manwel Dimech
Valletta, Malta
This film from the archives shows the installation of a statue of Maltese social...
Valletta marks a very special anniversary
Valletta, Malta Archbishop Michael Gonzi valletta anniversary
This colour footage from the archives shows special events in Valletta in 1966 t...
The proud history of Fort St Elmo in Valletta
Valletta, Malta
Guarding Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour is Fort St Elmo, named after the patr...
Valletta prepares for Carnival in the 1950s
Valletta, Malta carnival in malta
Carnival in Malta falls right before Lent, usually at the end of February. The f...
Building one of Malta’s most iconic landmarks
Valletta, Malta
With its huge dome, the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is one of the most ...
Malta marks the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
Valletta, Malta Easter in Malta
The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, or ‘Jum id-Duluri’ has a special p...
State Opening of Malta’s Parliament in 1950s
Valletta, Malta George Borg Olivier opening of malta parliament
This amazing film from our archives shows the pomp and ceremony surrounding the ...
Malta celebrates the Coronation of King George V
Valletta, Malta King George V Coronation
This amazing archive footage shows a military parade in Valletta to mark the Cor...
What powers does the President of Malta have?
Valletta, Malta Agatha Barbara
The President of Malta is the island’s head of state. Presidents serve a f...
‘It was terrible’: How Malta survived the war
Valletta, Malta archive footage malta war
This extraordinary archive footage shows how people in Malta struggled during th...

Places Nearby

Archive film of one of Malta’s most popular beaches
Ghajn Tuffieha
Summer in Malta means sun, sea and sand. And it appears it has been that way for...
End of an era: The moment the British forces left Malta
Vittoriosa Dom Mintoff Freedom Day
Malta, once Britain’s most important air and naval base in the Mediterrane...
Good Friday celebrations in Malta and Gozo over the years
Valletta, Malta Easter in Malta
Holy Week has always been important in Malta and Gozo. The celebrations before E...
Malta’s Regatta has been going since the Middle Ages
Grand Harbour Freedom Day
The Regatta has been held in Malta since the Middle Ages. The first professional...
A Maltese Christmas Tradition on Christmas Eve
Gwardamanġa
The procession of Baby Jesus is commonly held on Christmas Eve in the quiet stre...
Stunning views from Valletta’s Upper Barrakka Gardens
Valletta, Malta Malta 1968
People have been able enjoy the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta for nearly 20...
Honouring Maltese social reformer Manwel Dimech
Valletta, Malta
This film from the archives shows the installation of a statue of Maltese social...
The proud history of Fort St Elmo in Valletta
Valletta, Malta
Guarding Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour is Fort St Elmo, named after the patr...
Malta’s love of equestrian sports over the years
MARSA horse riding
Horse racing, dressage and showjumping have been popular events in Malta for dec...
How Father Christmas arrived in Malta in the 1960s
Luqa Father Christmas christmas in malta
Christmas is a highly celebrated festivity in Malta and Gozo, both for its relig...
The Valletta square that witnessed our history
Valletta, Malta St George's Square
St George’s Square has been described as ‘the heart’ of Malta̵...
Meet Malta’s four-legged police recruits of the 1970s
Floriana Joe Dimech Malta Police
This is TVM news veteran Joe Dimech interviewing Sergeant Tony Gatt from the Mal...