I was struck, as every visitor to Malta must be, by the sheer numbers of balconies on Valletta’s buildings. There seems to be no easy answer as to why the balconies, which became fashionable in the mid-18th century, are enclosed. Some cite North African roots, or Turkish, or Spanish. In any case, the other thing I noticed about the island’s distinctive architecture was the homogeneous nature of it. Designs of old buildings are repeated in the new ones, creating a beautiful and harmonious whole. In all my travels, I’ve never seen anything like it.
My home in Valletta, the window far right of the large balcony.
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Fascinating to see not only how many there are, and how shallow most of them are! Did you see others that would allow more sitting and other activities?
PHeymont, they all seemed about the same depth, enough for small chairs. In my previous piece, about Casa Rocca Piccola, one picture shows a bit of one behind a drapery that’s pulled to the side. While I’m sure they seemed practical at the time they came into fashion, these days I suspect they aren’t used much. The ones at Casa Rocca had a couple of chairs in them but they had an abandoned appearance.
Beautiful!!
They seem to be at about the depth that’s sometimes referred to as a “Juliet balcony,” just deep enough to step out of a stuffy room into the fresh air and hope for a suitable suitor to serenade you from below…
…or perhaps a cool evening breeze to refresh you a little, Pheymont.
Great set of pictures, PM. The balconies are fascinating to look at and I certainly never tire of them. As you mentioned, the old and new buildings are similar in appearance and structure which is what makes Malta unique. I see you also stayed at the Castille Hotel, excellent choice!