Giuseppe Garibaldi is a name in history that is hard to forget. The Italian general was famous worldwide, and then he popped over to our little rock for a short stay. 157 years on, this is everything we know about his quick trip to Malta.

Who was Giuseppe Garibaldi?

Giuseppe Garibaldi was a soldier-patriot who selflessly helped unify Italy in the 1800s. The Italian general and nationalist created the Kingdom of Italy and is considered to be one of the greatest generals of modern times (and one of Italy’s “fathers of the fatherland” along with Camillo Benso Count of Cavour, Victor Emmanuel II and Giuseppe Mazzini).

His stay in Malta

Three years after the Italian unification, Garibaldi travelled to Malta for a 36-hour stay, along with his sons Menotti and Riciotti while venturing to England. The Garibaldis stayed at the Imperial Hotel in Valletta, later known as St James Hotel, found in St Lucia Street. Unfortunately, the prestigious hotel was demolished in World War II and a cinema was built in its place.

The stay was meant to be a quiet one before continuing his journey to England, but the Maltese quickly got a whiff of it and reports began flying (how are we not surprised!) Based on local newspaper reports at the time, it seems Garibaldi and his sons got quite the mixed reception. Some described him as “the Italian hero and patriot and the most distinguished defender of liberty in Europe,” while others saw him as an “enemy of the papacy and the Church” and subsequently so to the Maltese.

What actually went down during this time was that after the glorious Italian unification in 1861, the liberal refugees in Malta left to return to their homeland. However, their place was taken by their rivals, mainly Sicilian supporters of the scandalous Bourbon reigning family. During Garibaldi’s visit in 1864, it was estimated that there were around 200 refugees living in Malta, which sparked anger among Maltese citizens.  

Despite it all, Garibaldi’s out-of-the-blue visit was accepted by the majority of the population - those who cared about politics, obvs - and he was well-received by Maltese liberals, English garrison and residents.

Menotti Garibaldi visited the Casino della Borsa and the Casino Maltese together with several Maltese and English friends. The family left the island the next day to a mixed sound of cheers and hisses from Maltese crowds. #Yikes