Again a shot from Senglea Point across the waters of Grand Harbour.
This is the Valletta Waterfront which is, in fact, outside Valletta and below the bastions of Floriana. Floriana, named after the architect Floriani, is a suburb of the capital, or rather an extension of the city outside the Valletta inner fortifications. It has its own walls providing a first line of defence for Valletta from an attack from the landward side.
The buildings along the waterfront were built by Grand Master Pinto de Fonseca in the 18th century to serve as warehouses for imported goods - until a decade ago they were still called Pinto Stores. They were built outside the fortifications at a time when there were no longer any danger from attacks by corsairs or Turkish marauding warships.
Those buildings bring back great memories to me. I started my 27 year career as a Customs Officer working there. At the time they served as Customs Bonded Stores for all types of imported wine, liquor and tobacco. Some years after I moved on to another government job, and with Malta’s entry into the European Union, they ceased to function as bonded warehouses and were redeveloped into a lovely place full of bars and restaurants where one could spend a lovely evening.
Thank you so much for looking and for your lovely comments on yesterday's picture.
Wonderful lighting; I think this is the view I remember from my holiday in Malta, we were in Silema I think.
I used to work in No 1 Bond in Preston (Lancashire) for a while; just in admin but it was around the time when there were lots of break ins at warehouses for rave's (1980's). Such tight security we had.
Your night shots are always so lovely. I'm not sure why, but for some reason this shot reminds me of Rhodes. Perhaps it is because the architecture is similar and built around the same time. At any rate- it's a pretty night shot!
The way the light fades as you look further up into the scene is great and I love the repetition in the waterfront buildings. I always enjoy your shots, esp. on large view. It's interesting to learn about other places and share memories, so thank you fo the info. too.
Have just taken a wonderful stroll around Malta. What a wonderful collection of photographs. I've been so busy lately can't believe can month has gone by since my last visit. I see a change creeping into your style. It's fun stepping out of the comfort zone now and then. Thanks for the guided tour! Lol.
April 22nd, 2014
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I used to work in No 1 Bond in Preston (Lancashire) for a while; just in admin but it was around the time when there were lots of break ins at warehouses for rave's (1980's). Such tight security we had.