This street, popularly known as strada stretta is approximately 665 metres in length and between 3. Songs from the heart, tales from the gut george cini. His new musical star of strait street will be performed as part of valletta. A number of books have been written about it, and a tv show called strada. During world war 2, valletta was heavily bombarded by nazi fighter planes and many historical buildings were damaged or destroyed. History of valletta after the great siege of 1565, the knights set about an ambitious project, the building of valletta, the socalled city built by gentlemen for gentlemen. It is approximately 665 metres long and about 4 metres wide. Strait street valletta updated april 2020 top tips. When you want to eat in one of the better restaurants, like roots or palazzo preca just to mention some, you better reserve in time. Mar 26, 20 the gut, of course, refers to strait street valletta s oncenotorious entertainment spot, which made many a wwii serviceman happy as they ventured into its dark recesses to ply themselves with drink and, if they were lucky, the occasional local girl. Strait street malta italy, malta history, malta island. Because the fact is that strait street stands as a lively curiosity in maltas history.
One of the best known streets on this island is undoubtedly strait street in valletta, popularly known as strada stretta. As the name implies the setting of the series took place in strada stretta, a historic street in valletta, the capital of malta. Beneath maltas beauty, a tangled history the new york times. The valletta ghouse is a little private town house for two within the walls of valletta, maltas capital and also a unesco world heritage city.
Valletta is the birthplace of comic book character corto maltese, created by italian artist hugo pratt. Nov 26, 2015 strada stretta or also known strait street is a long, straight street and also the narrowest street in valletta. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Strait street in valletta with its live music and spirited barmaids hosted thousands of servicemen during the war, and never closed either this was at a time when the island, particularly around valletta and the three cities came under devastating bombing by german and italian airmen.
Several sheets of that history will unfold during secret sound stories in. I came upon a strait street that was merely a shadow of its former self, a street frozen in time and at the same time void of life. Cini opens his books in a very maltese way by focusing on language the way the people of valletta, specifically those who lived. Triq iddejqa strait street or the narrow street, valletta, malta.
Archaeological traces typically encourage conventional descriptions of how lives are led, and how people adapt and. Strait street by john schofield used world of books. Strait street is the result of the need to create optimism in an era haunted by war, and it has been documented as an iconic part of maltas history. During the renovations, a personal diary that belonged to a woman lydia in 1957, is found. The history books, for all their heroic and heinous deeds, seem to have. Valletta, the capital of malta, has plenty to offer visitors in art, history, and highbrow entertainment.
Valletta tourism valletta hotels bed and breakfast valletta valletta holiday rentals valletta holiday packages flights to valletta. Strait street valletta all you need to know before you. They combine space and elegance with comfort and privacy for independent travellers seeking to experience valletta s authenticity. In the popular conscience, strait street evoked desire and revulsion. Valletta strait street is easily the most famous street in malta. Strait street valletta had a reputation for sexual fantasies that boiled over during. A number of books have been written about it, and a tv show called strada stretta is currently running weekly on maltese television. When george cini first published a volume of interviews on valletta s tumultuous former red light district, he could not have imagined it to be the modern nightlife hub it is today. Jan 27, 2019 valletta strait street is easily the most famous street in malta. The history of valletta destination guides corinthia palace hotel.
He worked at the museum of london from 1974 until 2008, and is now a freelance archaeologist and architectural historian. Strait street valletta all you need to know before you go. When george cini first published a volume of interviews on vallettas tumultuous former red light district, he could not have imagined it to be the modern nightlife hub it is today. Feb 17, 2018 strait street vallettas most famous street. It is a street which also sticks like a fossilised icon in the collective.
The apartments are a tribute to vallettas history and its heritage of excellence. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before. Urban star returns to strait street the malta independent. It is a living experience of baroque architecture, a monument donated by the knights of st john nearly five centuries ago. Triq iddejqa, a street in valletta which was formerly infamous for being. The best sleeping position for back pain, neck pain, and sciatica tips from a physical therapist duration. Visit the star of strait street website for more information. Solcher met valletta born author, university lecturer and former journalist george cini a former colleague of mine in many years past who has written two immensely popular books that have immortalised the street and are well worth a read. This book is largely about those material traces, presenting an archaeological perspective on the artefacts and places that characterise one particular and extraordinary street in.
Among the leading attractions are the majestic st johns co cathedral, the historic manoel theatre, the opulent grand masters palace, the upper barrakka gardens with their superb views over the grand harbour, the imposing bastions and countless priceless paintings. Strait street valletta 2020 all you need to know before you go. Do you need to book in advance to visit strait street. The apartments are a tribute to valletta s history and its heritage of excellence. The world premiere of the musical stage play star of strait street took place in valletta on 4 april 2017. Dec 08, 20 we were dining on strait street, a narrow passageway that, until the british navy left malta for good in 1979, was noted for its brothels, flophouses and brawling sailors. Welcome to kursara port view or kursara portview, the home of the original female pirate corsairs the first of its kind right here at this building in 15th centaury malta.
What lies behind the flaking walls of strait street. This fabulous converted townhouse contains 4 self contained fully air conditioned apartments with double bed, kitchenette and sitting area with flatscreen tv, and ensuite bathroom. In keeping with the spirit of the location, 10 strait street is at. Teodor reljic catches up with him as a slimmeddown, revised version of the book, strait street. What lay behind your impulse to put together a book on strait street. Company information midsea books limited c 3169 address. Boasting an authentic character and unique experience to its visitors.
In keeping with the spirit of the location, 10 strait street is at once modern and functional, romantic and traditional. And one of the most famous streets in valletta is strait street which was, until the midtwentieth century, the favourite destination of military men who docked in the. The revival of strait street, along with the rest of the capital, has caused widespread intrigue about its raucous history. A walk through history, strait street, strada stretta. George cini guides us through his vivacious history of strait street, now. Strada stretta was a maltese television series that aired on television malta between 2015 and. Strait street, known as strada stretta to the locals, has even had its own tv show. Strait street valletta 2020 all you need to know before.
Secrets and stories from behind closed doors hits the shelves. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours. This magical historical street was a centre of entertainment for sailors and marine military forces during the period when malta was a british military base later a nato. Mar 04, 2018 walking throu strait street now adays. The original edition sold well, which surprised me a bit at first, truth be told. We recommend booking strait street tours ahead of time to secure your spot. The series takes the viewers to the social and historical realities of 1957, with a plot based on the incidents recorded on a diary that was found in 2015 during refurbishing works on a pub in the eponymous street. Strait street represents a fascinating period of time in maltas history one in which. Although having had the reputation of being a shady part of town, the area is also remembered in a positive light for its bustling nightlife of the time. In the old days, when thousands of british airmen were based on the island and royal navy ships used regularly to call in, strait street, known as the gut, was valletta s redlight district, where rouged and behennad ladies of the night used to lounge in doorways enticing drunken sailors and airman. Vallettas strait street is easily the most famous street in malta. But linguistic convenience isnt the only reason that cini sought out to broaden the book s reach. The 10 best restaurants near strait street, valletta.
The 10 best restaurants near strait street in valletta. Known as strada stretta in maltese, the street was the pinnacle of nightlife amongst american and british military men and maltese frequenters between the 19th and mid20th century. Strait street is fast becoming a hub of social life and creative activity in valletta while restoration and regeneration works are underway. Star of strait street 15 may 18 15 may 18 phoenicia hotel, floriana based on a truelife love story from world war ii, this new musical by philip glassborow takes us back to the wild days of valletta s most famous street. Though it covers less than half a square mile, unesco calls valletta one.
We were dining on strait street, a narrow passageway that, until the british. Very narrow street that apparently was valletta s red light district in the period after wwii. View all attractions near strait street on tripadvisor. Triq iddejqa, a street in valletta which was formerly infamous for being the citys red light district. Pope pius v sent his foremost engineer, francesco laparelli, to build the city both as a fortress to defend christendom and as a. Strait street is just off the main street in valetta, it is a superb place to see the balconys which valetta is known for. Sylvana a young business woman in 2015 is refurbishing an old bar in strada stretta english. We were dining on strait street, a narrow passageway that, until the british navy left malta for good in 1979, was noted for its brothels, flophouses and brawling sailors.
Pan, and many other roles, voice overs, poetry programmes, and talking books. Malta diary the straight and narrow strait street in. Martina said strait street, or strada stretta, also affectionately termed the gut owing to its reputation as the seedy underbelly of valletta, was once the place where military men who were docked in the harbour went for a good time throughout the late 19th until the mid20th century. This book is largely about those material traces, presenting an archaeological perspective on the artefacts and places that characterise one particular and extraordinary street in maltas capital city, valletta strait street.
His first, strait street secrets was followed by stories from behind closed doors. This book is largely about those material traces, presenting an archaeological perspective on the artefacts and places that characterise one particular and extraordinary street in malta s capital city, valletta strait street. Loop bar is a recent addition, offering a nostalgic wink to days gone by on strait street, known as the hotspot for sailors stopping over in valletta from the early to mid20th century. The old strait street strait street, valletta traveller.
The revival of strait street, along with the rest of the capital, has caused. Maltas redlight district revealed this book encapsulates the spirit of maltas strait street, a bohemian district with cabaret, theatre, jazz and dance hall culture. Situated a block away from the main valletta street republic street, strait street was the sailors first stop when. In london its oxford street, in paris its champselysees. Star of strait street had its world premiere at the splendid in strait street, valletta, in april, 2017.
The book is the first of its kind as it provides a history of this. John schofield is cathedral archaeologist for st pauls cathedral. Archaeological traces typically encourage conventional descriptions of how lives are led, and how people adapt and survive. It celebrates the life of christina ratcliffe, an english singer and dancer who became an aircraft plotter in malta in the second world war. For me, a bonacifiteni, a member of two families entrenched in the history of valletta, strait street is my faith and my religion, and this vivid book fittingly captures the spirit and life of this strange and magical place. The happiest days of my life were in malta and i return to my island in the sun as often as i can. Cinis books have made public stories which never formed. Situated a block away from the main valletta street republic street, strait street was the sailors first stop when in malta until the early 1960s, and was known throughout the royal navy as the gut. Known as the gut, this is the maltese equivalent of shanghais blood alley. The propertys position in valletta is excellent, one street parallel to republic street and a minutes walk from renzo pianos city gate and parliament building. Every major city has its own popular and wellknown streets. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study.
May 01, 20 this book is largely about those material traces, presenting an archaeological perspective on the artefacts and places that characterise one particular and extraordinary street in maltas capital city, valletta strait street. Strait street the gut is a lively location in maltas capital city valletta. George cinis two volumes on strait street reveal the stories of those who inhabited the street and were an integral part of its history. A magnificent book with eleven sections, each with an introductory text, showing the beauty of this wonderful baroque city from the magnificent st johns cocathedral to the palaces and auberges, the churches, the museums, the grand harbour, the streets and more mostly shot in 360. Book your tickets online for strait street, valletta. Maltas red light district revealed schofield, john, morrissey, emily on. The actual setting is based on history books, while the story of this series is based on contextual creativity. I was allowed to go to valletta with my mates on the strict understanding we were not to go anywhere near strait street otherwise known as the gut.
Located in the south eastern region of the main island, between marsamxett harbour to the west and the grand harbour to the east, its population in 2014 was 6,444, while the metropolitan area around it has a population of 393,938. They combine space and elegance with comfort and privacy for independent travellers seeking to experience vallettas authenticity. Known as strada stretta in maltese, the street was the pinnacle of nightlife amongst american and british military men and maltese. Cini opens his books in a very maltese way by focusing on language the way the people of valletta, specifically those who lived, worked and spent every free minute in strait street ended up.
He has written widely on the archaeology and building history of london and european towns, with several wellreceived books. Its a feast for theatre and music lovers, enthusiasts of maltese history, and anyone. The gut on rowdier times, full of booze and brothels. Jan 18, 2018 a history of sex, booze, and jazz gave vallettas strait street its notorious identitythe one that inspired books, a tv show, and even a microbrewery. Staged at the phoenicia hotel the daily view that greeted our heroine from her apartment in floriana it promises to be a feast for theatre and music lovers, enthusiasts of maltese history, and anyone looking for a good show. What remains are the structures that served to house strait streets seedy past in a style of urban decay strangely beautiful in its own way. Valletta will be europes centre of culture in 2018 and the organising chairman jason micallef has vowed that a whole restoration programme is to be mounted on strait street with the intention of turning it into valletta s paceville, the locality in st julians that today is the hub of maltas humdrum nightlife.
Strait street, valletta midsea books limited strait street, valletta kompany is the trusted source for official company information. And the legacy of its many protagonists still lives on in their families. This book was never intended to be the story of strait street. Restaurants near strait street, valletta on tripadvisor. Although everything in strait street was quite nostalgic the place these days is derelict and really should be redeveloped. Gut owing to its reputation as the seedy underbelly of valletta, was once the place where. Strait street never closed during the ww2 blitz newsbook.