Main Guard façade and portico get their late 19th century look back

Restoration of the façade and portico of the Main Guard in Valletta has been completed, the Culture Ministry said on Monday.

The works, handled by Heritage Malta, included the reintroduction of the portico’s original 19th-century colour scheme.

The Main Guard, situated opposite the Grand Master’s Palace, was built at the end of the 16th century and served as quarters for the palace guards from 1604 until the early 1970s.

Under British rule, the façade was altered with the addition of the neoclassical-style portico, while several internal changes were also carried out, including the conversion of the first-floor room into an Officers’ Mess.

The current project saw extensive restoration works in the portico area, including repairs and replacement of severely degraded wooden beams. Cement render was removed and interventions were made to recreate the original grooved effect without altering the historic stonework. The restoration also included conservation works on the historic clock and iron lanterns, the slab flooring, the main door and all apertures within the portico.

The British coat of arms dominating the façade was also conserved, although further restoration will be carried out at a later stage.

The works were supported by stratigraphic research carried out by Heritage Malta conservators to better understand the historical colour layers on the portico walls. The colour scheme adopted reflects that visible in photographs of the Main Guard façade dating between 1860 and 1880, as well as in images from 1919, showing typical Victorian-era decoration. The façade has now been painted in a pink-toned hue, applied selectively to distinguish architectural elements, in keeping with Victorian-era practice.

Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said the restoration marked an important step in safeguarding Malta’s historical heritage while strengthening Valletta’s cultural identity as the country’s capital.

Restoration works inside the building are still underway. They include the conservation of wooden apertures and wooden beams and extensive waterproofing as well as plastering and painting.

Paintings by British soldiers on the walls of the Officers’ Mess have been restored. Additional artworks are currently being uncovered and conserved in rooms next to the main hall.

Heritage Malta plans to transform the Main Guard into a cultural attraction that enhances the visitor experience within Valletta. Plans include an immersive digital experience on the ground floor, charting 8,000 years of Maltese history, as well as an immersive experience within the Officers’ Mess on the first floor.

The entire project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.