Architecture,  Malta,  Postcards from the road

A postcard from Malta: traditional balconies in Valetta

May 31, 2025 / 42 Comments

Greetings from Malta

Traditional balconies in Valetta

These traditional balconies are found all over Malta. Their origins go back to the Arabic architectural feature of a muxrabija. This was a wooden frame which screened the window space completely. It allowed a person on the inside to observe all that was going on outside, whilst not being visible to anyone in the street below. This ensured that the women of the house would be shielded from prying eyes, in particular those of passing men, at a time and place when women wore clothing that covered them from head to toe.

Over the centuries the balconies evolved in varied ways. Most have carved stone supports but some are of wood or wrought iron. They no longer serve their original purpose of concealment. Instead they let in light and air while helping to keep the property cool in the Mediterranean summer heat

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