Francesco Laparelli's city gate breached

"Quod non fecerunt Barbari, fecerunt Barberini". In other words, what the Turks failed to do to the city of Valletta, newly built on the orders of Grand Master Jean de la Valette and his council, in 1566, one year after the Great Siege of 1565, now Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Italian architect Renzo Piano and Minister Austin Gatt are achieving in 2010, regardless of popular sentiment and objections. A breach in Valletta's city walls is anathema, an idea not even to be thought of, let alone put into practice with such arrogance. Where has our democracy gone, Prime Minister? And why was there no call for tenders?

Why the silence about details? How was the lump sum of €80 million reached? There are many questions to be answered, and more. Why this fixation with Renzo Piano? His international achievements are controversial, not publicly acclaimed. Other Maltese architects - and I could name one in particular - show greater capability and sensitivity regarding Valletta.

A breach will ruin Valletta's walls. Francesco Laparelli of 1566 never intended it for his new city. How does Mr Piano now come up with such a ploy? Why this diving into modernity, and into Egyptian and Babylonian architecture? Valletta is a Mannerist and Baroque city, period. Let no one have the brazen audacity to change this. Modern architecture does not blend with Valletta. It is an aberration.

A Parliament building inside City Gate is a mistake; it's in the wrong place. Why the hurry to move out of the Presidential and Grand Masters' Palace? Is Dr Gonzi a man in a hurry? We know how kittens turn out when their mother is so.

As for the Opera House, "Chi va Piano, va sano e va lontano... se non perde il treno". Mr Piano is absolutely wrong to present us with a roofless theatre. We are going to need coats, raincoats and earplugs in such a dismal creation.

Barry's pre-war Theatre Royal can be restored, if we are bold enough to believe in it, its beauty, splendour, majesty, wonderful performances and unrivalled prestige for Valletta, our capital city.

If anyone were to have bombed the Auberge de Castille instead, would we have built a monstrosity in its place, or restored it as it was, and is, please God?

Prime Minister Gonzi cannot ride roughshod over his people with impunity. Carrying on regardless because of his unstated agenda is a step we shall suffer, and he will regret. This is a great pity, since his other great achievements are undoubted.