Porta Reale -- King's Gate

 
City Gate (1920's) -- Porta Reale

  VALLETTA's original gateway, built by the Order of Saint John and referred to as Porta San Giorgio, was replaced by another one in 1853.   The 'new' gate, which eventually became known as King's Gate,⁽¹⁾ was dubbed Porta Reale⁽²⁾ by the Italianites; or Maltese nineteenth century upper-class.

  This British-built structure, however, was also demolished to make way for a newer one that was able to allow motorised traffic into the city.   This modern portal, built in 1964,⁽³⁾ was to become the subject of controversy for, although it was practical for its day, it completely lacked architectural character.
 
  ⁽¹⁾     The year 1853 was during the reign of Queen Victoria (who ruled between 1837 and 1901).
  ⁽²⁾     Porta Reale (in Italian) became PUTIRJAL (pron: Put-irr-yahl) in Maltese.
  ⁽³⁾     1964 was the year in which Malta attained independence from the British Empire.

 
  James Bailey with Porta Reale
in the background

 

 

 

  Strada Reale -- Kingsway

  The Nineteen Twenties were times of social contrasts and political turbulence in Malta. Suffice it to say that the ill-fated 1919 Bread Riots were still painfully vivid in everyone's memory.   This fatal event was due to the corn-tax, making the price of bread (a loaf) more than lowly wages could afford, and this when a single breadwinner had not only his own (numerous) family's sustenance to think of, but also that of his parents' and in-laws', for old people had no social benefits, hence no income!

 

Contrast   between the slum interior of King's Gate (Porta Reale) ...
      and an elegant Kingsway (Strada Reale), here at its centre

  Colonial Malta had two main social castes: one comprising the professionals (mostly legal and medical), some well-to-do clerics, a number of high-powered traders (e.g. coal- and provisions-importers, ship chandlers, etc.) and families of noble origins; the other comprising the remainder of the population, some struggling to survive on modest or low wages, others enduring the hardship of unemployment, often resorting to begging.

 

The Royal Opera House   sadly destroyed during WW2 bombings

 
Maltese lady in habitual wear; the Ghonnella
(note the goat in the background)



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