The Department of Information recently treated their social media followers to a nostalgic journey through time with a throwback video capturing life at s-Suq tal-Belt in the late seventies.

The video starts off with passersby, casually and peacefully walking along the suq, a scene that is rarely visible nowadays due to the hustle and bustle of the city. The footage unfolds a vibrant tapestry of market stalls, echoing the lively banter of vendors and the harmonious hum of shoppers.

Before its recent restoration, is-Suq tal-Belt was known as ‘Piazza del Malcantone’ in the time of the Knights of St John. In around 1784, the building came to life in its original baroque fashion and became a coveted market in Valletta.

This market is also known for being the first building in Malta to be constructed mostly of iron. Unfortunately, the building was severely damaged in World War II and its rebuilding did not adhere to its priceless original structure. In fact, the market sadly started to decline and a revamp campaign ‘Ixtri Malti’ in the 1980s was also unsuccessful.

Renovated in January 2018, today is-Suq tal-Belt offers a variety of stalls and restaurants for locals and visitors to choose from.

The video serves as a captivating portal to the past in which spectators can relish the charm of bygone days.

Have you ever been to is-Suq tal-Belt?