Window Boxes of Malta

I am obsessed with the window boxes in Malta. Valletta is well known for its iconic window boxes or Gallarija, that adorn the facades of the buildings in its narrow and winding streets. The Gallarija is a typical element of vernacular Maltese architecture, consisting of an ornate closed wooden balcony. The term is of Italian origin, but with a shift in meaning (galleria, covered passage, vs balcone, balcony).

The use of gallariji became widespread in Valletta and the Three Cities in the 18th century, in parallel with the spread of baroque. The architectural element was embellished by curve lines and elaborate stone corbels. The onset of the 20th century gave a new dimension to the Maltese balconies, which could now be designed in simpler Art Deco lines.

I love the old rustic ones with peeling paint and character, I love the new bright and vibrant ones, and I love everything in between. They add interest and character to the building making them very pretty to photograph. And I did a lot of that.Read more