Before pedestrian zones transformed Valletta’s heart into a space for people rather than cars, St. George’s Square was a very different scene. The Dipartiment tal-Informazzjoni recently shared a throwback photo showing Malta’s grandest square filled with parked cars, right in front of the majestic Grand Master’s Palace.

For over four centuries, St. George’s Square has been Malta’s symbolic stage, the site where history unfolded time and again. From hosting visiting royalty and national celebrations to witnessing solemn ceremonies, this square has always been a focal point of Maltese public life.

One of its most memorable moments came in 1942, when the George Cross was presented to the Maltese people in recognition of their bravery during the Second World War.

Today, the cars are long gone, replaced by open stone paving, elegant fountains, and a renewed sense of civic pride. The transformation into a pedestrian zone restored the square’s dignity and allowed residents and visitors alike to experience it as it was meant to be - a gathering place at the heart of the capital.

Though its appearance has changed, the spirit of St. George’s Square endures. Every event, every step taken across its flagstones echoes with the legacy of Malta’s past.

When was the last time that you visited Malta’s capital?