Malta’s oldest nightclub has been around for 70 years and, as with anything boasting a long lifetime, it has evolved considerably from its inception to the present day. Many locals will remember the good times they had at Tigullio at some point in their lives, whether rollerskating, when it opened as a rink; or dancing when it transformed itself into a nightclub. Its present incarnation - as a combined arts, social and night club - has had many today flocking to its doors. We speak to Natale Falzon, the owner, about the Tigullio story.

"A few years after World War II, a garden in Spinola, St Julians’ Bay, was converted into a series of open-air roller skating rinks, where officers from Pembroke, Maltese gentlemen and ladies - in their hats, suits, long dresses and umbrellas - skated to live orchestra music. Octogenarians may remember these beautiful days when the place first opened!", he says.

"In the late sixties, an architect from Tigullio in Italy - hence the name - was commissioned to design a nightclub on the location of the outdoor skating rinks in the beautiful valley of Wied Ghomor, also known as Rockyvale Valley. The new Italian nightclub consisted of three main areas which included a restaurant and two dance halls, while the garden had been converted into an area for live bands. It was built from Maltese stone and it was surrounded by trees and esparto grass to ensure privacy during the daytime while darkness hid the goings-on at night," he continues to explain.

Natale is a fount of knowledge on the club, but he is also intent on keeping it alive in people's memories. In fact, Natale is constantly on the look out for people trying to find out where their parents had met and mingled so many decades ago. 

"As the decades went on, the club continued to run as one of Malta’s leading nightspots. Many contemporaries will remember the big events at the Tigullio in the eighties, including a show by Samantha Fox!", Natale smiled. Unfortunately, the club had to close for fifteen years, but it was reopened on 14 November 2015 under new management. "The club was refurbished and now comprises a large hall and four smaller incorporated clubs. Over these three years, the weekend nightclub has been bringing music from the '80s, '90s, reggae, drum and bass, underground, house, and salsa to the dancefloors!" he continues.

And, even more recently, with the assistance of Danka and Cristian, who now manage Tigullio with Natale himself, a new concept was born. A workshop and store area was converted into an arts centre and social club which welcomes an array of different creatives throughout the week while the nightclub continues during the weekends. The decor of the Rocky Valley Garden is warm and rustic, with indoor plants and paintings made by the public during a weekly art night. And, a music stage is permanently set up with an array of instruments and circus props hang from the ceiling.

"We are keen to give artists a space to practice their art within a community environment," Natale says. "Opening every night except Monday, Tigullio now hosts an array of weekly arts events comprising music jam sessions, circus arts meets, various art sessions and a variety of workshops. These currently include aerial silks, Kalarippayat martial arts from south India, Zouk dance from Brazil, slackline and trickline training and drumming workshops. On weekends, Tigullio continues to operate as a nightclub with various music events."

The Tigullio has certainly won a place in Maltese social history - and in the hearts of all who visit. We wonder how the Tigullio story will continue to unfold!