As we walked around the main streets of Valletta, JP (Jean-Pierre) and I left the ladies to their own devices and went to see this renovated building and surroundings.
This is Auberge de Castille: the Office of the Maltese Prime Minister where I am proud to have worked in a relatively high non-political position for the last ten years of my working life. Renovation works on the building have been going on for years. Lights have been installed around the building and a roundabout with palm trees which obstructed the full view of the building has been removed The Prime Minister’s personal office is right above the main door.
The Auberge was one of seven original auberges built in Valletta to serve the various langues (languages) of the Order. The Auberge de Castille served the knights of Castile, Leon and Portugal. It was originally built between 1571 and 1574 but was completely rebuilt in 1741 – 1745 during the grandmastership of Manuel Pinto da Fonseca to a Baroque design by the Maltese architect, Andrea Belli. There is a bronze bust of the grandmaster above the main entrance.
In World War II, the Auberge was bombed and sustained severe damage on the right side of the entrance. After the war, the damaged section was carefully rebuilt to its original state.
Thank you so much for looking and for all the wonderful comments, the many fav's on yesterday's post and for putting it on pp and tp. You are all the best.
What a great shot of this elegant building, looks like they've done a great job with the renovation. Thank you for sharing some of the building's history.
a beautiful building and such interesting history. they have done a wonderful job with the lighting. You really make me want to visit your country one day.
A beautiful night capture of this beautiful building.
Without a tripod this is very detailed. My circumstances where poor, windy and rain , so all the light where moving and sparkling.
A magnificent building, lovely lighting and capture Fav.
Without a tripod this is very detailed. My circumstances where poor, windy and rain , so all the light where moving and sparkling.