PROPERTY

THE ECONOMIC UPDATE M A R C H 1 08

Named after Grand Master Jean Parisot De La Vallette,

the hero of the Great Seige, she was at her time a model

of the renaissance city and is, to this day, considered as the

first modern city, in that she was planned and conceived as

a complete project from start to finish.

Valletta, in spite of the beautiful baroque architecture

of her Palazzos, her broad open Plazas and the luxurious

sprawl of her picturesque skyline, rising majestically out of

the Mediterranean, was primarily a fortress city. Following

the victory after the great siege of 1565, when an invasion

force of some 35,000 Ottoman Turks was repelled by a

force of 9000 amongst knights and local militia, the need

was recognized to fortify the heights of Mount Sciberras.

Fort St Elmo was in ruins, Fort St Angelo and Fort St

Michael were badly mauled and the islands had held out

but by the very skin of their teeth. With secure harbours

on either side and with its proximity to the then bustling

hub of government, it was imperative that a city be built

on Mount Sciberras to guard against future invasions, at

the time a very real possibility.

What resulted was a city that was both grand in

wealth and beauty, at her time of glory dubbed ‘La

Stupendissima’, by the greats of Europe, but also a highly

advanced fortress, considered virtually impregnable by the

military dictums of the age.

Included in the itinerary of the Grand Tour, the medieval

equivalent of the modern day cruise, a journey considered

a must within the highest echelons of European society,

Valletta has always boasted a cosmopolitan flare, a hub

of the arts and culture from the early days and through

the glorious reign of the Knights of St. John up until

the arrival of Napoleon Bonaparte in the early 1800’s.

Anecdotes of famous personages amongst writers, poets,

politicians, artist and others visiting the islands abound.

Amongst the most notable of these are Caravaggio, Lord

Byron, Sir Walter Scott, Coleridge and many, many more.

Under the British Empire Valletta experienced a

resurgence and when the islands, through their crucial

strategic position in the heart of the

Mediterranean basin, came under fire

from Axis aircraft during World War

II, the city bore her share of grief and

suffered her wounds under the relentless

pounding between 1942 and 1943. That

was a sorrowful time that saw the demise

of many a beautiful Palazzo including the

magnificent Opera house. This to this very

day stands derelict just off Freedom Square.

Present day Valletta is finally experiencing a general

resurgence and rehabilitation. Vast tracts of central

Valletta are being converted into pedestrian zones. The

Piazzas are receiving a thorough facelift. The facades of

the major palaces, bastions and Auberges are undergoing

extensive restoration works as both the government and

the general public, are reawakening to the true potential

and vibrant beauty of this priceless piece of heritage.

More importantly, over the late fifties up until the

nineties, ‘The City’ had seen a severe decline in population

and an alarming increase in the number of vacant houses

and apartments with grand Palazzos left to rot and ruin.

It is now experiencing a rediscovery by both locals and

foreigners moving to the islands from mainland Europe.

Here it is worthwhile to note that buying or renting any

kind of property in ‘The City’, really means, buying or

renting a part of the City.

We at REMAX TIGNE, form part of REMAX, the

leading International Real Estate Company, with a long

standing reputation both internationally and in Malta.

We have some of the most knowledgeable Associates on

the island. We have long recognized the potential Valletta

has to offer. With this in mind the company, with the

help of an expert on ‘The City’, Mark Schembri, offers

expert advice on the city and city dwellings. Another

aspect carefully being studied and specialized in, is the

commercial side. Shops, supermarket spaces, restaurants,

bars, outdoor cafes, guest houses and small hotels, are all

included in properties on offer with us.

With a penchant for friendly service and a thorough

knowledge of the city, its layout and its history, Remax

Tigne is confidently set to place itself as a leader in the

Valletta real estate scene, capable of meeting the needs

of all its customers. Office Spaces, sumptuous Palazzos,

quaint City Houses, harbour view Apartments; whatever

one’s tastes or requirements, Remax Tigne offers a solution

to suit all needs at realistic budgets.

Built by the Knights of St. John almost 500 years ago, Valletta, city of a thousand echoes, stands as an enduring monument to the spirit of the men who built it.

REMAX CITYAN

D T

HE

PROPERTY

THE ECONOMIC UPDATE M A R C H 1 09

Named after Grand Master Jean Parisot De La Vallette,

the hero of the Great Seige, she was at her time a model

of the renaissance city and is, to this day, considered as the

first modern city, in that she was planned and conceived as

a complete project from start to finish.

Valletta, in spite of the beautiful baroque architecture

of her Palazzos, her broad open Plazas and the luxurious

sprawl of her picturesque skyline, rising majestically out of

the Mediterranean, was primarily a fortress city. Following

the victory after the great siege of 1565, when an invasion

force of some 35,000 Ottoman Turks was repelled by a

force of 9000 amongst knights and local militia, the need

was recognized to fortify the heights of Mount Sciberras.

Fort St Elmo was in ruins, Fort St Angelo and Fort St

Michael were badly mauled and the islands had held out

but by the very skin of their teeth. With secure harbours

on either side and with its proximity to the then bustling

hub of government, it was imperative that a city be built

on Mount Sciberras to guard against future invasions, at

the time a very real possibility.

What resulted was a city that was both grand in

wealth and beauty, at her time of glory dubbed ‘La

Stupendissima’, by the greats of Europe, but also a highly

advanced fortress, considered virtually impregnable by the

military dictums of the age.

Included in the itinerary of the Grand Tour, the medieval

equivalent of the modern day cruise, a journey considered

a must within the highest echelons of European society,

Valletta has always boasted a cosmopolitan flare, a hub

of the arts and culture from the early days and through

the glorious reign of the Knights of St. John up until

the arrival of Napoleon Bonaparte in the early 1800’s.

Anecdotes of famous personages amongst writers, poets,

politicians, artist and others visiting the islands abound.

Amongst the most notable of these are Caravaggio, Lord

Byron, Sir Walter Scott, Coleridge and many, many more.

Under the British Empire Valletta experienced a

resurgence and when the islands, through their crucial

strategic position in the heart of the

Mediterranean basin, came under fire

from Axis aircraft during World War

II, the city bore her share of grief and

suffered her wounds under the relentless

pounding between 1942 and 1943. That

was a sorrowful time that saw the demise

of many a beautiful Palazzo including the

magnificent Opera house. This to this very

day stands derelict just off Freedom Square.

Present day Valletta is finally experiencing a general

resurgence and rehabilitation. Vast tracts of central

Valletta are being converted into pedestrian zones. The

Piazzas are receiving a thorough facelift. The facades of

the major palaces, bastions and Auberges are undergoing

extensive restoration works as both the government and

the general public, are reawakening to the true potential

and vibrant beauty of this priceless piece of heritage.

More importantly, over the late fifties up until the

nineties, ‘The City’ had seen a severe decline in population

and an alarming increase in the number of vacant houses

and apartments with grand Palazzos left to rot and ruin.

It is now experiencing a rediscovery by both locals and

foreigners moving to the islands from mainland Europe.

Here it is worthwhile to note that buying or renting any

kind of property in ‘The City’, really means, buying or

renting a part of the City.

We at REMAX TIGNE, form part of REMAX, the

leading International Real Estate Company, with a long

standing reputation both internationally and in Malta.

We have some of the most knowledgeable Associates on

the island. We have long recognized the potential Valletta

has to offer. With this in mind the company, with the

help of an expert on ‘The City’, Mark Schembri, offers

expert advice on the city and city dwellings. Another

aspect carefully being studied and specialized in, is the

commercial side. Shops, supermarket spaces, restaurants,

bars, outdoor cafes, guest houses and small hotels, are all

included in properties on offer with us.

With a penchant for friendly service and a thorough

knowledge of the city, its layout and its history, Remax

Tigne is confidently set to place itself as a leader in the

Valletta real estate scene, capable of meeting the needs

of all its customers. Office Spaces, sumptuous Palazzos,

quaint City Houses, harbour view Apartments; whatever

one’s tastes or requirements, Remax Tigne offers a solution

to suit all needs at realistic budgets.

Built by the Knights of St. John almost 500 years ago, Valletta, city of a thousand echoes, stands as an enduring monument to the spirit of the men who built it.

REMAX CITYAN

D T

HE