Saturday Travel Feature
Main Guard Building in Palace Square 
Valletta, Malta

"The Main Guard building, which originally housed the palace guards, is located on the square opposite Grand Master’s Palace (see separate entry) and is a Classical-style building with Doric columns on the façade. After the Knights left, it was used by the British, partly as an Officer’s Mess; there are more than 300 wall paintings and numerous examples of regimental badges etc. The building is currently being used as the Libyan and the Italian Cultural Centres and hosts numerous events. The 17th century Hostel de Verdelin is on the northeast side of Palace Square." (See Link 1.)

Note the flag of malta, with its bands of red and white and the George Cross on the white, flying above the Main Guard Building.




The front of  the Main Guard Building is Palace Square  a place of entertainment for tourists. If you are lucky you will see the band in traditional national costumes marching through town. They are accompanied by a team highly athletic flag twirlers.  At the end of their parade the band and flag twirlers give a colorful performance in the plaza in front of The Court House. (See photo above.) Later, the square also features dancing fountains which are accompanied by music. On the right end of  the Main Guard Building is a free contemporary art gallery that welcomes tourists.

Photos: Taken in April 2010 in Valletta, Malta, by SW.
Link 1: http://www.amaltaattraction.com/malta-attractions/main-guard-building.htm