16 Very Old Photos From A Barely Recognisable Malta

Remember staring at that one super old photo at your nanna’s house, wondering how Malta could ever have looked so different? Well, we’ve just stumbled upon a goldmine or two.

Nostalgia Malta and Maltese Old Photos have been steadily satisfying Malta’s nostalgia fix over the past years, sharing everything from archaic family portraits to snapshots from a completely different world.

Here are 16 incredible photos from Malta’s distant past.

1. Il-Pixkerija, under construction

This pre-pixkerija photo of the area was taken right about the time that the Barriera Wharf Fishing Market was being conceived. Look at those stone babies.

2. A mid-air crash

In 1975, this photo was taken right above the Bulebel Industrial Estate. That horrific comet-like thing is an R.A.F. airplane heading for doom.

3. Floriana

No how’s that for proper nostalgia?

Also, we can’t wait to get the Floriana Gardens Project going so that it looks like this again.

4. Ħaż-Żabbar 

This photo of 1950s Żabbar leaves us speechless. 

If you can’t recognise the area, it’s where Scotts Supermarket now stands, give or take.

5. Il-Parliament 

This 1964 photo of pre-parliament Valletta area brings back some vivid memories of a much larger square in the opening of the capital which persisted all the way to the 90s (give and take some more buildings in the area). The question remains; which way do you prefer it?

6. Wied Iż-Żurrieq

This 1910 bridge looks like something we really would not want to cross.

7. The Royal Opera House 

The Royal Opera House was bombarded in 1942. Nearly eight decades later, rebuilding it to its former glory is still very much the subject of many heated debates.

8. Għadira Bay 

Għadira bay looks almost unrecognisable without people fighting for a space and huge kiosks dotting the perimeter. 

Also, the Red Tower is looking awfully lonely without all those boathouses at the hill’s base. 

9. The Malta Railway Station Inauguration

From all the way back in 1883. 

How’s that for blast from the past?

10. The old Gozo Ferry

This cutie here is the old Gozo Ferry, and it used to operate from 1937 to 1942. Until it drowned. Which is not that cute.

11. Piazza Reġina

Huge chunks of Valletta got destroyed during the intense bombings of the Second World War… but this statue is one of the things that somehow survived.

12. Balluta Church

Seriously unrecognisable..

13. Lascaris Wharf, Valletta

The guy in this photo looks like he’s penetrating your soul with his gaze. Come to think of it, he might just be Smiling (Smirking?) Prince.

14. Ħamrun Scouts

These badass scouts parading in Ħamrun look amazing. #LegsForDays 

15. Exiles

It’s incredible how much Exiles has changed since the 1980s. Sure seems like a whole lot less traffic.

16. Birkirkara 

This is exactly where the Birkirkara McDonalds stands nowadays. It’s nice to see that the old horse stop still retained its original spirit, being turned into a bus stop instead.

Do you know anyone who would enjoy these nostalgic photos? Tag them in the comments below!

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