| The Casino Maltese | |
| Coordinates: | 35.8987°N 14.5131°W |
| Former Names: | Grand Hotel |
| Alternate Names: | Casa del Commun Tesoro |
| Status: | Intact |
| Location: | Valletta, Malta |
| Current Tenants: | Casino Maltese |
| Completion Date: | 16th–17th centuries |
| Renovation Date: | 1914 |
| Material: | Limestone |
| Floor Count: | 2 |
| Ren Architect: | Nicola Buhagiar and Francesco Mercieca |
The Casino Maltese is a private members' club in Valletta founded in 1852. It is housed in a Grade 1 listed building.
The original building was most likely designed by Girolamo Cassar, Chief Architect of the Knights of St John, following the foundation of Valletta. The Casa del Commun Tesoro originally belonged to the Treasury of the Order of St. John, and it housed the Treasury's accounts, contracts and records.
In 1708, Malta's first proper postal service was established, and a room within the Casa del Commun Tesoro became the island's first post office. The building continued to house the Packet Office until around 1841, when it was transferred to the Banca Giuratale. On 1 April 1849, the Island Post Office was also transferred from the Casa del Commun Tesoro to the Banca Giuratale, which later became known as the General Post Office.[1]
In the early 19th century, the British used the building for a number of public offices, including the Chief Secretary's Office, the office of the Collector of Land Revenue and the Government Treasury.[2]
English poet and writer Samuel Taylor Coleridge worked inside the building between 1804 and 1805. A plaque on the façade of the building was attached by Giovanni Bonello in the commemoration of Coleridge.[3]
It was converted into a hotel in the late 19th century, known as the Grand Hotel.[4]
The structure was extensively modified in 1914 by the architect Nicola Buhagiar.[5]
The founding document of the Casino Maltese is dated 1 March 1852. From its earliest years until today, many of its members have played leading roles in Maltese society. The club's motto is 'Omnibus Idem'(Same for All), and its main purpose is to cater for the social gathering and entertainment of its members. The Club was first located at its current premises on Strada Reale (today Republic Street) between 1859 and 1877, and then again from the first years of the twentieth century onwards.
In an air raid on the 15th February 1942, during World War II, some members of staff lost their lives, and the building sustained extensive damage. Another interesting feature of the Casino Maltese – The noon-mark Sundial with Analemma. The face of the Sundial (6.1m x 1.9m) includes an Analemma and Zodiacal signs. It marks only noon-time. The present Sundial is a modernised reconstruction of the one that existed up to the last war and which was subsequently destroyed when the wall collapsed due tp enemy action. An illustrated book on the history of the Casino Maltese can be purchased from the Club.Notable Guests of the Club
The Sundial
Notes and References