The Dipartiment tal-Informazzjoni has shared a striking Throwback Thursday post that transports viewers to one of the most significant moments in Malta’s architectural and judicial history - the construction of the Courts of Justice in Valletta.

The vintage photograph captures the early stages of a project that began on 5 May 1965, when work commenced on the site previously occupied by the Auberge d’Auvergne. Once the residence of the knights belonging to the Langue of Auvergne, the Auberge held centuries of history within its walls before it was demolished to make way for a modern courthouse designed to meet the evolving needs of a growing nation.

The image serves as a reminder of a transformative period for Malta, when the country was reshaping its civic infrastructure in the years following independence. The construction of the new courthouse symbolised progress, stability, and the strengthening of Malta’s legal framework.

After nearly six years of development, the present Courts of Justice building was officially inaugurated on 9 January 1971, ushering in a new era for the judicial system.

Today, the structure remains one of Valletta’s most recognisable landmarks, embodying both architectural presence and institutional importance.

Do you like seeing throwback photos of Malta?