The Department of Information today issued this photo, taken 80 years ago, showing the entrance of Valletta including the City Gate and the Royal Opera House. 

The only thing that has survived intact is the letter box on the right.

Also still in existence is the arched lower part of the opera house, where the booking offices were located. They survived the bombing of April 1942.

Independent journalism costs money. Support Times of Malta for the price of a coffee.

Support Us