Valletta
Valletta nostalgia! 61 years ago today the Pope Pius V bust was removed to make way for the new Valletta City Gate
It was designed by Giuseppe Valenti.

Emma Galea

A photo uploaded by the National Archives of Malta shows workers in the process of removing the giant bust of Pope Pius V from Valletta in order to build the new city gate.

The bust was removed exactly 61 years ago, on the 7th July 1964 as part of the project of dismantling the old city gate which was build in 1853.

The bronze from the bust was originally designed by Giuseppe Valenti, a renowned Sicilian sculptor.

It had been standing there for 72 years, greeting the people of Valletta since 24 July 1892.

Do you think it should be put on display again at Valletta's city gate?

Facebook/The National Archives of Malta

7th July 2025


Emma Galea
Written by
Emma Galea
Emma is a Gozitan writer who loves all things related to English literature and history. When not busy studying or writing you will either find her immersed in a fictional book or at the cinema trying to watch as many films as she possibly can!

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