Life of Malta in the 1980s Through Fascinating Photos

Malta is an island country in Southern Europe, located in the Mediterranean Sea. It consists of an archipelago, between Italy and Libya. It lies 80 km (50 mi) south of Sicily (Italy), 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia, and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya. The official languages are Maltese and English, and 66% of the current Maltese population is at least conversant in the Italian language.

With a population of about 516,000 over an area of 316 km2 (122 sq mi), Malta is the world’s tenth-smallest country by area and fourth most densely populated sovereign country. Its capital is Valletta, which is the smallest national capital in the European Union by area and population.

The economy of Malta is heavily reliant on tourism, and the country promotes itself as a Mediterranean tourist destination with its warmer climate compared to the rest of Europe, numerous recreational areas, and architectural and historical monuments, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, Valletta, and seven megalithic temples which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.

These fascinating photos from Kent Clark that show street scenes of Malta in the 1980s, mostly in Valletta and Birżebbuġa.

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Suitcase Is Emergency Crib, 1940

Unable to bring a baby’s cot aboard a war-refugee ship from the Mediterranean island of Malta, an ingenious mother converted a suitcase into a combination bed and carriage for her four-month-old son in 1940.

The illustration here shows them packed for the trip, with the baby watching the view through an improvised window. A lettered sign insured careful handling of the crib.

Beautiful Photos of a Maltese Girl in the 1920s

A set of beautiful photos from Jim Payne which belonged to a young lady named Sylvia Martin that shows life of an anonymous girl with friends and her family in Malta in the 1920s. The girl was probably a ballet dancer or a ballet lover.

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30 Vintage Color Photos Capture Street Scenes of Malta in the Mid-1960s

Malta is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 80 km (50 mi) south of Italy, 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia, and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya.

Malta is the world’s tenth smallest country with an area of 316 km2 (122 sq mi) and fourth most densely populated sovereign country. Its capital is Valletta, which is the smallest national capital in the European Union by area at 0.8 km2 (0.31 sq mi).

The official and national language is Maltese, which is descended from Sicilian Arabic that developed during the Emirate of Sicily, while English serves as the second official language. Italian and Sicilian also previously served as official and cultural languages on the island for centuries, with Italian being an official language in Malta until 1934 and a majority of the current Maltese population being at least conversational in the Italian language.

Malta is a tourist destination with its warm climate, numerous recreational areas, and architectural and historical monuments, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni, Valletta, and seven megalithic temples which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.

These fascinating photos were taken by Jim Payne that show street scenes of Malta in 1967.

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22 Rare Photos Capture Street Scenes of Malta in the Early 1950s

Malta is a Southern European island country consisting of an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 316 km2 (122 sq mi). It is also the world's tenth smallest and fifth most densely populated country. The capital of Malta is Valletta, which is the smallest national capital in the European Union by area at 0.8 km².

Malta is a popular tourist destination with its warm climate, numerous recreational areas, and architectural and historical monuments, including  Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni, Valletta, and seven megalithic temples which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.

These rare black and white photos from Rob Haywood which were mostly taken by his father that show street scenes of Malta when he was serving there in the RAF in the early 1950s.

Armier Bay, Malta

Decorated house at Ghaxaq village

Floriana. Porte des Bombes

Mosta Church, Malta

Mosta. The Rotunda

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Rare and Fabulous Pics of Valletta, Malta in the 19th Century

Valletta is the capital city of Malta. Located in the south east of the island, between Marsamxett Harbour to the west and the Grand Harbour to the east. It is the southernmost capital of Europe.

Valletta's 16th century buildings were constructed by the Knights Hospitaller. The city is Baroque in character, with elements of Mannerist, Neo-Classical and Modern architecture, though the Second World War left major scars on the city, particularly the destruction of the Royal Opera House.

Valletta, Malta in the 19th century

The city's fortifications, consisting of bastions, curtains and cavaliers, along with the beauty of its Baroque palaces, gardens and churches, led the ruling houses of Europe to give the city its nickname Superbissima - Italian for Most Proud.

Here below is a rare and fabulous photo collection from Frank Lea-Ellis that shows everyday life of Valletta, Malta in the 19th century.

Strada Britannica, Valletta, Malta, circa late 1840s. Possibly one of the earliest street photographs taken in Malta

Valletta showing Upper Barrakka in the background before Fort Lascaris was built, 1948

Auberge de Castille, Valletta, Malta, 1854

Marsamscetto Valletta Malta showing the spire of St. Paul's Anglican cathedral, 1854

Valletta street scene in Malta, circa 1854

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