La Borsa

La Borsa, also known as the Exchange Buildings, is a 19th-century building in Valletta, Malta, which houses The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.[1]

La Borsa
View of La Borsa
Alternative namesExchange Buildings
General information
Architectural styleNeoclassical and rococo
LocationValletta, Malta
Coordinates35°53′57.76″N 14°30′52.46″E
CompletedMarch 1857
Design and construction
ArchitectGiuseppe Bonavia

The site of La Borsa was originally occupied by a house which belonged to the Priory of Castile. In 1853, the house was handed over to The Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, which had been formed in 1848. It was demolished to make way for new premises which were designed by the Maltese architect Giuseppe Bonavia.[2] Works were undertaken by the contractor Michelangelo Azzopardi, and the building was inaugurated in March 1857.[3] Some features within the building include the Lewis Farrugia Courtyard, Sir Agostino Portelli Hall, the Aula Conciliaris (Council Room), the Banif Lecture Hall and the BOV Meeting Room.[4]

It is scheduled as a Grade 1 national monument by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.[5]

Architecture

La Borsa was designed by Giuseppe Bonavia in the Neoclassical architectural style.[6] Its design contrasts with Valletta's traditional architecture. Its façade has an imposing symmetrical colonnade in the Ionic order. It has three floors above street level and an underground level. Inaugurated in 1848, the building's design is rather simple but elegant at the same time.[5][7][8]

References
  1. "Historical Context". The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015.
  2. Bugeja, Lino (4 January 2015). "Valletta – vibrant city of many styles". Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015.
  3. Denaro, Victor F. (1959). "Houses in Kingsway and Old Bakery Street, Valletta". Melita Historica. 2 (4): 206–207. Archived from the original on 2015-11-17.
  4. "Facilities". The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015.
  5. "One World: Protecting the most significant buildings, monuments and features of Valletta (16)". Times of Malta. 26 June 2008. Archived from the original on 10 October 2015.
  6. p.110
  7. "Commerce and Art working hand in hand - The Malta Independent". Independent.com.mt. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  8. Felice, David (2013) in Bonello, Giovanni (ed.). La Borsa – The People, The Building, The History. p. 45. ISBN 9789995733759.
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