Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1437471
10 COMMERCIAL 16.12.2021 PIETÀ is a relatively small town along the coastal stretch between Floriana and Msida. e locality started out al- most immediately after the Great Siege of 1565 mainly due to its close proxim- ity to Valletta which had started being planned and built. Although disrupt- ed by two plagues, the area witnessed a population growth, so much so that a chapel and rectory dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows (La Pietà in Italian) was built. For a period, the chapel also served as vice-parish to St Paul's Ship- wreck church in Valletta. So significant was the chapel, that it ended up giving its name to the locality. "Many locals tend to take an added interest in visiting cultural places such as Valletta and Mdina known for their baroque architecture and rich histor- ical aura but tend to know much less about the lesser tourist-frequented towns. ey miss out on places such as Pieta which is a charming old residen- tial neighbourhood with some magnifi- cent architectural buildings." highlights event organiser Maria Spiteri. "What is so fascinating about these walking tours, is that they give partic- ipants the chance to experience first- hand the history, architecture and cul- ture of the locality. Our heritage experts manage to uncover the rich, vibrant sto- ries attached to the historical buildings and sites." explains Maria Spiteri. In the late 1920s, the British govern- ment decided to build a new General Hospital and due to its strategic posi- tion on the Island selected a site on the upper part of Pieta. is led to the cre- ation of a new rapidly populated urban settlement which took the name 'Guar- damangia'. e three-hour walking tour will take visitors to places which are not easily accessible to the public. One of the stop overs will be Villa Guardamangia, a res- idence that had housed Princess Eliza- beth from 1949 to 1951 when her hus- band, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was stationed in Malta as an officer of the Royal Navy. e Villa will soon be undergoing an extensive process of res- toration. Along the route, participants will also visit two cemeteries; the Ta' Brax- ia cemetery which was designed and planned by renowned Maltese architect Emanuele Luigi Galizia in the late 19th Century. It is one of the few multi-faith cemeteries on the Island and the final resting place of prominent personali- ties, including Russian ballerina Prin- cess Natalie Poutiatine. e other bur- ial place, the Pieta military cemetery is a stone throw away. is cemetery has over 2,000 graves of which 1,300 were servicemen who fought in the first and second world wars. Participants will also learn to appre- ciate not only the beautiful baroque and neoclassical architecture of some of Pieta's unique buildings such as Villa Frere, but 'modernist' protected build- ings such as the Blackley Bakery fac- tory, Television House and St. Luke's Hospital. is 'modernist' architecture and design was introduced in the early 20th century in response to large-scale changes in technology and society. roughout the tour, participants will also learn about the various initiatives the Planning Authority has contribut- ed within the locality either through scheduling, its Development Planning Fund projects or the Irrestawra Darek Grant scheme. Most notable, visitors will be able to appreciate the recently funded restoration and embellishment works carried out on the façade of the chapel's rectory and the reconstruc- tion of drinking water fountain which was installed outside the chapel at the end of the 19th Century. is drinking water fountain was one of a number of fountains which were placed in various A tour of Pietà A GUIDED WALK LAYING BARE THE RICH ARCHITECTURAL, MILITARY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE PAST On the periphery of Malta's very own Capital City, tucked away between Floriana and Msida lies the historical town of Pietà. Over the coming months, this locality will be in the limelight, as the PA restarts its popular educational walking tours. Event organiser, Maria Spiteri shares some interesting insights into why this tour should be on your to-do-list for one of your upcoming Sundays