Valletta, Malta -World-renowned architect Renzo Piano has unveiled ambitious designs to reconstruct the entrance to Malta's capital Valletta, part of which was destroyed by German bombing during the Second World War. During a ceremony for hundreds of guests on Saturday night, the Italian architect presented his plans to build a state-of-the-art open air theatre on the site of the former Royal Opera House.
The once-majestic Royal Opera House, built in 1877, was reduced to rubble by the bombing in April 1942 when Malta was a British colony. In 1946, German prisoners-of-war in Malta reportedly offered to rebuild the theatre for a nominal charge but the government declined the offer.
Since then the site has remained a scar on the beautiful baroque World Heritage Site city built by the Knights of St John.
Piano was first engaged by the Maltese government in the late 1980s to submit proposals, but the project was aborted. This time Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has promised to deliver the project within four years.
"We have learnt the lessons and we are better architects today," Piano told those present.
Piano has also proposed building a new Parliament adjacent to the theatre as well as reconstructing the gate and area leading into Valletta. The project is said to cost in the region of ¤80 million.
