Parliament Building — Attraction in Valletta

Amazing architecture

The Parliament House (Maltese: Dar il-Parlament) is the meeting place of the Parliament of Malta located in Valletta, Malta. The building was constructed between 2011 and 2015 to designs by Renzo Piano as part of the City Gate Project, which also included building a new City Gate and converting the ruins of the Royal Opera House into an open-air theatre. Construction of the Parliament House generated considerable controversy, mainly due to the modern design of the building and the cost of construction, which amounted to around €90 million. From 1921 to 1976, the meeting place of the Parliament of Malta had been the Tapestry Chamber of the Grandmaster's Palace, also in Valletta. In 1976, the former armoury of the same palace was converted into a new parliament, and meetings were held there until the opening of the purpose-built Parliament House on 4 May 2015. The Parliament House is located in Republic Street near City Gate, the entrance to Valletta. The building is located adjacent to Saint James Cavalier and the ruins of the Royal Opera House, and opposite the City Gate Shopping Arcade and Palazzo Ferreria The site presently occupied by the Parliament House was originally built up with houses, and later the Valletta Station of the Malta Railway.[2] The area was bombarded during World War II, and the station and surrounding buildings were demolished in the 1960s as part of a project to redevelop the entrance to Valletta.[3] The area was converted into an open space known as Freedom Square (Maltese: Misraħ il-Ħelsien), which was surrounded by a shopping arcade.[4] The square was originally rather plain, and was commonly used as a car park.[5]

Though most of the square has been built up, part of it is still officially the Freedom Square, and is now in a rectangular form. The square now covers from the corner of Palazzo Ferreria to the first column across of the subjected parliament, and to the Spanish steps next to the City Gate. The site presently occupied by the Parliament House was originally built up with houses, and later the Valletta Station of the Malta Railway.[2] The area was bombarded during World War II, and the station and surrounding buildings were demolished in the 1960s as part of a project to redevelop the entrance to Valletta.[3] The area was converted into an open space known as Freedom Square (Maltese: Misraħ il-Ħelsien), which was surrounded by a shopping arcade.[4] The square was originally rather plain, and was commonly used as a car park.[5]

Though most of the square has been built up, part of it is still officially the Freedom Square, and is now in a rectangular form. The square now covers from the corner of Palazzo Ferreria to the first column across of the subjected parliament, and to the Spanish steps next to...

The Parliament of Malta is a striking modern building in the heart of Valletta, designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano. Its unique limestone façade, with its geometric patterns and floating structure, creates a fascinating contrast with the surrounding historic architecture.

While some may find its design unusual for such a historic city, it actually blends well with Valletta’s character, respecting both tradition and modernity. The elevated structure allows for an open space underneath, making the area feel spacious and inviting.

Located right next to the City Gate, it’s impossible to miss as you enter Valletta. Whether you admire contemporary architecture or simply want to see how old and new can coexist, it’s worth stopping by for a closer look. A bold and interesting addition to the...

A "bastion" of democracy. The Parliament House (built between 2011 and 2015) by the famous architect Renzo Piano fits in extremely well with its surroundings, not only because of the sand-colored stones used, but certainly also because of its design. Anyone who has just walked through the City Gate of Valletta, which is also part of Renzo's renovation project that includes the parliament building and the ruins of the Royal Opera House, will be looking at a building that looks a lot like the bastions that have protected and characterized the city since time immemorial. So despite the modernity of the building, it looks as if it has been there for centuries and belongs there completely. A very...