Francis Frith, Strada Reale, Valletta (No. 1978)

Francis Frith, Strada Reale, Valletta (No. 1978)
Flickr

A photo by Francis Frith, taken in the 1870s, which shows the walled off Piazza della Tesoreria. At this time the public was apparently not allowed into the piazza and it was no longer a public space but an orchard attached to the palace. Governor John Le Marchant (in office 1858-1864) was responsible for closing the area off and for moving there the Statue of Grand Master De Vilhena which stood at Fort Manoel. The square was reopened to the public some time after his end of term as governor, and the statue of Queen Victoria was erected there in 1891.